Apple Reveals Vision Pro Augmented Reality Headset
Apple presented their long-rumored mixed reality headgear, "Apple Vision Pro," at WWDC 2023 (WWDC stands for "Worldwide Developer Conference"). It will project apps onto the real world in front of you, controlled by your eyes, hands, and voice. The headset enables video calling, game play on a big virtual screen, and other functions.
Billed as introducing Apple’s vision of “spatial computing,” it employs a three-dimensional interface that uses your real-world surroundings as the backdrop for apps and activities. Apps will cast shadows against the real world to help gauge depth and placement. The headset will rely on sight, verbal commands, and finger inputs, with no controller required.
Another major distinguishing feature of the headset will be its transparent design, wherein people can see your eyes while you wear the device. Typically, eyes are blocked off while wearing such headsets, but this one was built to keep inclusivity and a connection to the real world at the forefront of its design.
The device has been rumored for some time, with Bloomberg reporting Apple’s been spending over $1 billion per year to get the product out the door. It’s aiming to be a technological jump akin to the introduction of the iPhone but for the mixed reality space. Other innovators in the mixed reality space include Microsoft and the HoloLens device, which has set the bar for specialist-grade AR headsets, offering advanced tools to interface between the real world and virtual projections.
Fully 3D interface controlled with your hands eyes and voice When you first put it on you see all your apps UI elements cast shadows and freely full the space around you.
Place elements around the room wherever you want. New apps don’t have to replace old ones, they just show up in a new space Environments: They extend and transform your space. Captured fully volumetrically. Turn the digital crown to extend the environment more around you Hand and eye gestures gel you move around and scroll. Plus voice controls: just look at a search field and start talking.
“Just as the Mac introduced us to personal computing, and iPhone introduced us to mobile computing, Apple Vision Pro introduces us to spatial computing," Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a press release. "Built upon decades of Apple innovation, Vision Pro is years ahead and unlike anything created before — with a revolutionary new input system and thousands of groundbreaking innovations. It unlocks incredible experiences for our users and exciting new opportunities for our developers.”
Disney’s vision for Apple’s AR/VR headset Vision Pro has been revealed.
Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, Disney World content coming to Apple Vision Pro on day one.
It’s meant to be CEO Tim Cook’s signature addition to the Apple product lineup, and it’s garnered praise from industry insiders, even though it will enter a market that hasn’t taken off. Its primary competitor will likely be Meta, which has enjoyed relative success with its games-focused Quest 2 headset and gotten a more mixed reception to its general-purpose Quest Pro.
The device starts at $3,499. Available early next year in the US, more countries coming later.