Apple's plans to dive into the world of augmented reality may go beyond Apple Glasses The company is reportedly working on a mixed reality headset with more than a dozen tracking cameras and two 8K displays

This is according to internal documents and images cited in a report by The Information, which details a headset with "a sleek, curved visor attached to the face with a mesh material and interchangeable headband"

According to drawings by The Information, Apple's headset resembles goggles more than traditional VR headsets like the HTC Vive Pro, Oculus Rift 2, and Valve Index

Apple employees describe the new mixed reality device as a virtual reality headset with augmented reality on top Because of the array of multiple cameras, it is said to be possible to play games with real-world objects using the headset Apple is developing

Unlike AR headsets, Apple's mixed reality device completely shields the user from the outside world and brings them closer to the VR headset Apple then uses an array of cameras to feed images to two 8K displays The displays also include eye tracking to ensure that movement is as one-to-one as possible

According to two people familiar with the device who spoke with The Information, users will wear a thimble-like device on their fingers to assist with control and hand tracking

The headset will also include a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor to measure distance with a laser These sensors are already included in both iPhone 12 Pro models The sensors will help the device quickly measure the area of space and allow users to accurately place virtual items There will also be an optional headband accessory with a larger battery pack

A source told The Information that consumers could see Apple's mixed reality headset as early as next year The person apparently requested anonymity because Apple has not yet announced the product

Apple has reportedly partnered with Taiwanese manufacturer Pegatron, which also makes the company's iPhone and iPad, to assemble this new device

Still, don't be surprised if this device never sees the light of day Apple is willing to put a product on hold if it feels it is not ready or does not have a viable future

It is no surprise that such an advanced device is not cheap; according to The Information, the product is priced at about $3,000 This is much more expensive than the HTC Vive Pro or the Valve Index, which sit between $900 and $1,000; it would be cheaper than Microsoft's HoloLens 2, which costs $3,500

And since the device is likely to be a boutique item, Apple is not going to produce millions of these things Right now, Apple is talking internally about shipping only $250,000 worth of units That makes sense, given that Microsoft's HoloLens is used more for industrial applications than for consumer use While it is possible to play games on Apple's mixed reality headset, it is unlikely that will be its calling card

It should be noted that the mixed reality headset is separate from the rumored Apple Glasses, which are expected to be more affordable, at $500 However, according to an internal meeting in 2019, the Glasses' release date will be even further out, in 2023

Clearly, Apple has many plans beyond phones, computers, and tablets We look forward to what the future will bring