Ahead of the company's Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple is expected to unveil a mixed-reality headset.

Apple is expected to release a headset called Reality Pro that will allow wearers to immerse themselves in a virtual world or have digital data superimposed onto real-world, real-time imagery.

Mark Gurman, a reporter with a decent track record when it comes to Apple forecasts, said on Sunday that following a string of postponements with the device since Apple decided to start developing it, the tech giant is aiming to unveil it this spring.

The analyst said last week that he believed the device would go on sale late in the second quarter or in the third quarter, meaning July through September.

It would give Apple time to launch a massive marketing campaign ahead of a sales drive if it was unveiled in the spring.

Gurman believes that Apple will hold an event in the spring to show off the mixed-reality headset.

A render of Apple's VR headset.
Apple AR/VR headset render Ian Zelbo

According to Gurman, Apple has given the headset to a small number of high-profile software developers so they can start creating third-party apps for the device. The operating system for the headset is called "Borealis" inside the company, but will be marketed as "xrOS"

At an event this month, Apple was expected to unveil the headset, which was expected to be available in April through June. Apple engineers needed more time to deal with issues with mechanical component drop testing and the availability of software development tools, and the company now appears to be aiming for the spring unveil before shipping the device.

It looks like it will be the year in which Apple brings its long-awaited mixed-reality headset to market. The company is banking on the product as its hot new introduction. We can't wait to watch it.

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