Sure, Apple built the headset so that it mimics AR devices, but it definitely is not one itself.
The technology to build an AR device with the capabilities that Apple boasted is simply not here yet. I'm sure that Apple top-talent is hard at work trying to break the barrier (if it didn't yet), but that'll be for a future version, just not this one.
> I'm sure that Apple top-talent is hard at work trying to break the barrier (if it didn't yet), but that'll be for a future version, just not this one.
To me, it feels like AVP is the final nail in the coffin of the optical compositing evolutionary branch of HMDs. Even if it's someday possible to do well, devices would still need the same realtime subsystem necessary for digital compositing in order to do 3D mapping, object detection, environmental lighting integration, etc.
I understand that in the short-term, camera sensors and displays don't exceed what the human eye can perceive, but those seem straightforward (if not easy) to address.
"AR can be defined as a system that incorporates three basic features: a combination of real and virtual worlds, real-time interaction, and accurate 3D registration of virtual and real objects"
There is nowhere in there that says the output has to have pure optical through. Digital composition seems to fit into the definition.
"AR can be defined as a system that incorporates three basic features: a combination of real and virtual worlds, real-time interaction, and accurate 3D registration of virtual and real objects"
What is it missing?
That said, I think the "you're looking at a digital reconstruction of the world" aspect pretty interesting since it means, in principle, everything can be changed as you'd like. Why not turn day to night, night to day, redecorate, block out ads on billboards, re-paint your house, hang paintings, add an extra window to your wall, etc?
Without that, you'll be looking at an artificially "crisp" version of the world.
Why not just get a few projectors or more screens if you want digital environments?