When Will Apple Release Its Headset?

While there has been little secret that Apple will announce its headset next week (now we’re hearing that they’ve invited many virtual reality experts to the event), the question of when Apple will release the headset is much thornier. Of note is that we’ve not seen leaks from manufacturing. That usually happens once Apple hardware goes into production. That could mean that either Apple is not yet in production or they are making headsets in small, controlled batches.

Also of note is that nobody outside of Apple has seen the current state of the software. They could have the hardware locked down but are still waiting to finish the software. Historically, new product categories are the only place where Apple announces early. The iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch were all announced months before product release. In effect, Apple is planting its flag in the product space.

I don’t think anyone outside of Apple knows when you’ll be able to buy a headset, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple isn’t a bit vague about that question when they announce with something like “later this year” or “early next year”. Regardless, if I had to bet a nickel, I’d say it is at least six months before you can buy one.

This Month in the MacSparky Labs

May was a busy month in the MacSparky Labs. I expect things to heat up even more so with WWDC in June. Here’s what I sent out to Labs Members:

  • 2023-05-31 – Getting the Most from Button Creator (Levels 1-3)
  • 2023-05-30 – How I Use Day One (Levels 2-3)
  • 2023-05-26 – The Lab Report Podcast (Levels 1-3)
  • 2023-05-25 – Deep Dive on Shortcuts-Based Setups (Level 3)
  • 2023-05-24 – Setting Up Your Hyper Key with BetterTouchTool (Levels 1-3)
  • 2023-05-23 – Combining Time Tracking and Focus Modes (Levels 2-3)
  • 2023-05-22 – Sign-Up: MacSparky Labs Focus Session (Levels 1-3)
  • 2023-05-22 – Sparky’s Thoughts in Advance of Apple Goggles (Levels 1-3)
  • 2023-05-19 – The Lab Report Podcast (Levels 1-3)
  • 2023-05-18 – Text Navigation with the Keyboard (Levels 1-3)
  • 2023-05-17 – The MacSparky Labs May 2023 Meetup (Levels 1-3)
  • 2023-05-16 – Peak Design Everyday iPhone Case (Levels 2-3)
  • 2023-05-15 – Deep Dive on Shortcuts-Based Setups Sign-up(Level 3)
  • 2023-05-12 – The Lab Report Podcast (Levels 1-3)
  • 2023-05-11 – Apple and AI (Levels 1-3)
  • 2023-05-11 – May Meetup (Levels 2-3)
  • 2023-05-10 – Siri Tricks, Part 1 (Levels 1-3)
  • 2023-05-09 – TextExpander Intervention (Levels 1-3)
  • 2023-05-09 – Q2 Midpoint Planning Call Sign-Up (Level 3)
  • 2023-05-08 – Is Apple About to Release a Day One Killer? (Levels 1-3)
  • 2023-05-07 – The Camera Cart Completed (Levels 2-3)
  • 2023-05-05 – The Lab Report Podcast (Levels 1-3)
  • 2023-05-05 – TextExpander Intervention Webinar Event (Levels 1-3)
  • 2023-05-04 – Sharing Slideshows Using Memories Video (Levels 2-3)
  • 2023-05-03 – Using Stream Deck with Apple Mail (Levels 2-3)
  • 2023-05-02 – TextExpander Intervention Announcement (Levels 1-3)
  • 2023-05-01 – Whither Mac Pro? (Levels 1-3)

If you’d like to be a part of the MacSparky Labs, you can join right here. Use the code “HEADSETS4EVERYONE” to get 10% off. That code expires tomorrow.

Is ChatGPT Really Artificial Intelligence?

Lately, I’ve been experimenting with some of these Large Language Model (LLM) artificial intelligence services, particularly Monkey. Several readers have taken issue with my categorization of ChatGPT Monkey as “artificial intelligence”. The reason, they argue, is that ChatGPT really is not an artificial intelligence system. It is a linguistic model looking at a massive amount of data and smashing words together without any understanding of what they actually mean. Technologically, it has more in common with the grammar checker in Microsoft Word than HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey.

You can ask ChatGPT for the difference between apples and bananas, and it will give you a credible response, but under the covers, it has no idea what an apple or a banana actually is.

One reader wrote in to explain that her mother’s medical professional actually had the nerve to ask ChatGPT about medical dosages. ChatGPT’s understanding of what medicine does is about the same as its understanding of what a banana is: zilch.

While some may argue that ChatGPT is a form of artificial intelligence, I have to agree that there is a more compelling argument that it is not. Moreover, calling it artificial intelligence gives us barely evolved monkeys the impression that it actually is some sort of artificial intelligence that understands and can recommend medical dosages. That is bad.

So going forward, I will be referring to things like ChatGPT as an LLM, and not artificial intelligence. I would argue that you do the same. 

(I want to give particular thanks to reader Lisa, who first made the case to me on this point.)

Getting the Most from Button Creator (MacSparky Labs)

I’ve used the Button Creator app several times in Labs videos, prompting several questions about it. Here’s a walk-through of this handy little app that lets you easily create simple icons and buttons…This is a post for MacSparky Labs Members only. <a href=”https://www.macsparky.com/join/”>Care to join?</a> Or perhaps <a href=”https://www.macsparky.com/?memberful_endpoint=auth”>do you need to sign in?</a>