Apple’s new $3,499 AR headset Apple Vision Pro
Apple CEO Tim Cook debuted the high-end Vision Pro augmented reality headset at WWDC 2023 keynote on Monday.
Apple is calling it spacial reality. It blends augmented reality (showing the world around you) with virtual reality (like watching a big tv). The headset is shipping at the beginning of next year and its only shipping in the U.S. in 2024. Apple wants you to think of the Vision Pro as a general computing device. You can use it for entertainment, productivity, gaming, mental wellness, FaceTime and more.
Image credit: Apple
Companies like Meta have already set forth with products like the new Quest to make common the virtuality experience. In the office and with family, keeping people close even when they are apart. Apple has finally set to release it’s own headset. The headset runs on a standard M2 chip, paired with a new R1 chip, which takes on the video streaming. Micro-OLED displays with 64 pixels in a space similar of a standard iPhone pixel. The three-element lens is designed to improve imaging from all angles. The company also partnered up with Zeiss to bring custom prescription glass inserts to accommodate for those who wear glasses. Something, no other company has decided yet to do.
The device utilizes “EyeSight”, a front- facing display allowing others to see where you’re looking while you’re operating the device. The feature creates an “authentic representation of you” on the front of the glass accomplished through an initial facial scan. The image also acts as your avatar to represent you to others wearing the headset. It’s stationed on an aluminum body. The single power cord attached to a detached battery pack, styled similar to the Apple Watch charger, only provides a 2hr charge. Which isn’t a lot of charge for a product that is set to provide potentially many experiences, specifically those in the office and entertainment. Imagine your Apple Air Max Pros canceling on you after 2 hours. Despite the facts, the device is new and this provide for a better understanding of how people will adapt to the new experience and how well it will be accepted.
Image credit: Apple
The Vision Pro headset doesn’t operate like your typical everyday AR/VR machine with controllers; it relies on the users eye movement, hand tracking and voice to navigate the interface. The device has bottom mounted cameras that allow it to track small hand gestures. It borrows elects like the charger from other devices. Like, the Digital Crown used to control the opacity of the augmented view which also first appeared in the Apple Watch. When you’re busy using the Vision Pro, your audience will see a preview of your content laid over your eyes.
Apple really wants people to think of the device like a work-first device. The company focused on emails rather than gaming. It’s ability to display multiple screens, including FaceTime in augmented reality, within your room would make it perfect for the workplace. To others int he FaceTime call, you’ll be represented as a “Persona” (not to be confused with the Altus RPG series) that’s computationally generated with its internal cameras. Users can bring a version of their Mac desktop over, projected out in front of them. The headset can show a 4k display of your Mac screen on its screen, if that’s the way you prefer to work. Along with the battery pack, the headset can be powered by your Mac. With its opaque display, its really pushing 2D photos taken from the iPhone. A 3D camera allows users to capture “Spatial” photos ad videos. A movie theater option allows the user of the device to take advantage of the illusion of a full, large screen. Although, there is gaming, its a large screen projection with standard games, rather than an actual VR experience.
Image credit: Apple
Disney is the first content partner for the new headset. Bob Iger took to the stage today to announce that Disney+ will be available to launch on the new device. In spite of rumors in regards to an adapter iPadOS, Apple has introduced VisionOS. VisionOS is a new operating system “designed from the ground up” for spatial computing. The initial launch contains a number of educational features, including astronomical and health apps, along with one for music creation. The system will work with Microsoft Office apps, says Apple, as well as teleconferencing services such as Zoom and WebEX. SInce VisionSO runs on the same framework as iOS and iPadOS, the existing apps will sync over. The company is however launching a new App Store for the headset and has teamed with Unity, to support development tools for games instead of porting over existing games.
