Product Design x Apple Headset
TL;DR: I am a Product Designer and I am interested in the Apple Headset.
I am particularly interested in its potential impact on productivity, media consumption, gaming, and communication. And I am interested in the impact it will have on my profession, particularly around design standards, ways of working, and my future career trajectory. This is a diary of my experiences with the device and the platform.
OK, so let’s break that down:
Product Design
An ever evolving term. You could dedicate a whole publication to defining the what, why and how’s of Product Design. For the purposes of this introduction, let’s just say I dabble in UX, UI, Design Thinking, Research, Prototyping, User Testing, and Service Design. But for the purposes of this diary, I am particularly interested in the following:
Design Standards
The set of established principles, guidelines, and specifications that define best practice and expectations for the quality, consistency, usability, and aesthetics of design. A framework for creating effective and visually cohesive products or experiences. There are no established Design Standards for the Apple Headset because it doesn’t exist at the time of writing. But when it does launch, and if it is to become a platform on which we build things, we will need to establish these Design Standards.
Ways of Working
The approach, methods, processes, and tools that individuals and teams of designers use to design a product. What existing tools and techniques can we carry over from today? What can we steal from other professions? What things will we have to invent to design for this new device and platform?
Career
I’m a Product Designer. You could call me a Senior, Lead or Principal Product Designer. I’ve held all those titles in recent times. I’d say I’m a pretty average Product Designer. I’m not a thought leader or influencer. I don’t give talks, write books, or participate in the design community in any meaningful way. I have a job, I turn up to the job, and I like to think that I do a good job. If the Apple Headset is real, and if it is a success, my job may change. My industry may change. So this is me trying to get a head start so that I can carry on doing my job.
The Device
It doesn’t exist. At least not in the public domain and not at the time of writing. But at Apple’s annual WWDC on June 5th 2023, all signs point to the announcement of a brand new headset, OS, and App Store.
Hardware
At this point, it’s all rumours. I’ll follow up with a more in-depth post but in short, it looks like it will be a very expensive and somewhat clunky AR/VR headset, geared towards developers looking to create apps for the new platform. Smaller and cheaper mass consumer devices are not anticipated for another few years, but unless I have to remortgage my house, I’ll probably try and get my hands on a version one.
Software
Probably the most exciting part for me. AR/VR goggles are currently the domain of gaming and tech enthusiasts. If Apple are looking to enter this space, they must see it as a potentially lucrative market that will provide a compelling use case for the average consumer. AR/VR interfaces at the moment are a little bit clunky, so I’m excited to see what solutions the Apple design team has come up with in this area.
The App Store
Like the App Stores for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Watch, you would assume there would be an App Store for the Apple Headset. And if the headset achieves even a small fraction of the success of the iPhone, you would assume that it could prove a lucrative market for developers.
Potential Impact
Like the iPod and iPhone before it, even Apple doesn’t know exactly what impact this device could have on the world. No one does. If Apple does indeed release a first generation device catered towards developers, it will be because they are keen to get the device in the hands of makers to see what creative applications they come up with, relying on the creativity of the crowd to determine its fate. However, it doesn’t mean that Apple doesn’t have some very strong ideas on a potential killer app.
Productivity
There have been numerous concept videos speculating about what work will look like with an Apple Headset. Most of them feature giant floating screens, virtual keyboards, and frantic arm waving. In reality, I suspect Apple has something a little different in mind. Floating screen probably. But what about a rich 3D interface popping out of your Mac’s screen. Or integration with your Apple Mouse, Keyboard, touchscreen or voice? And yes, hand gestures.
https://next.reality.news/news/apple-ar-smartglasses-concept-shows-virtual-desktop-future-0384235/
Media Consumption
Apple TV is already a significant player in movie and tv streaming. They are one of the industry leaders is Music streaming. They have a growing library of content in their Apple Fitneess app. But they’ve also invested heavily in live sports, recently signing deals with MLS and MLB. What would an immersive experience at a football or baseball match be like? What about front row or onstage seats at a Taylor Swift concert? One on one yoga sessions with an Apple Fitness instructor?
Gaming
VR gaming already exists in a relatively mature form. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple announces the release of a few VR titles to show off the capabilities of the device. Hello Games CEO recently posted a tweet consisting of Apple emojis. No Man’s Sky?
Communications
Anything better than the Metaverse would be a start. But I don’t think floating Memojis would be much of an improvement.
All this to say…
This year’s WWDC has the potential to be one of the more exciting announcements from Apple in recent memory. AR/VR has long promised but rarely delivered outside of very specific applications such as gaming. We can only wait and see whether the technology is ready to finally crack the AR/VR market. But with Apple behind it, you can at least guarantee that it will make waves in the months and years to come. Investing my time, effort, and money on the platform is a gamble on my part, but it should at least be fun!
