Vision Pro is literally the most anticipated VR headset. It was announced earlier this year (2023) by Apple at WWDC 2023. It is a mixed-reality headset expected to come with never-before-seen specs and features. Apple’s VR Headset will be the very first of its kind from Apple when it launches early 2024 – with an arguable price tag of $3,499.
Vision Pro – Apple’s “Spatial Computer” VR Headset
Apple advertises its upcoming Vision Pro headset as a “spatial computer” that blends the real world and the digital world seamlessly never before. It is equipped with impeccable features such as motion gestures, voice input, and eye tracking. Also, it can be used to interact with MacBook systems.
It is more of a mixed reality headset as compared to a virtual reality headset. A “mixed-reality” headset means the Vision Pro will blend the real world and digital world so perfectly that both worlds will appear as “one” to the person wearing the headset. Apple hints on making the headset a standalone device, which means it will function without being connected to a PC or MacBook, just like the Meta Quest headsets.
Apple’s VR Headset is poised to come with a unique operating system known as visionOS; however, this OS is basically a derivative of iOS built to run its own extended reality apps, while fostering wireless connectivity to a Mac. Also, the headset will conceal two Apple Silicon chips (M2 Ultra and R1) and come with a tethered battery pack, which could give you a long playtime.
At the moment, there’s no specific date for the launch of this VR headset, Apple only hinted it’ll be live in the US by “early 2024.” The rest of the world will have it released to them later in the year. As for the price? We all know Apple attaches high price tags to its products, but then, typical of Apple products, we can only hope that the Vision Pro MR headset complements its price.
All You Should Know About Apple’s Virtual Reality Headset Vision Pro
All leaked specs, features, and technologies for the new Apple Vision Pro are pretty enticing. Here is every known one of them so far.
Technology:
The Vision Pro will come with a whopping five sensors installed around the frame and up to six microphones. In addition, it is shown to have 12 cameras and dual micro-OLED displays that run at 90FPS. Powering this VR headset is Apple’s M2 chipset, which will pair with the brand’s R1 chip for real-time sensor input processing.
Apple will debut a new OS for the Vision Pro vr headset – it will be the visionOS (xrOS), a new OS based off iOS and integrating XR-specific frameworks for foveated rendering and real-time interaction. VisionOS allows for speech recognition, finger tracking, eye tracking, and a virtual keyboard for text input.
Eye tracking is controlled by a system of LEDs and infrared cameras. The headset is designed with built-in speakers, which are strategically placed directly over the user’s ears – capable of virtualizing surround sound. The Vision Pro vr headset uses a battery pack, which could last for up to 2 hours, or an external power supply using a USB-C cable.
More so, the EyeSight technology reveals your eyes when someone gets closer to you as you’re putting on the headset, so they can know you’re fully immersed in an experience – you will also see the person as they come closer.
Apple VR Headset Features:
Apple Vision Pro vr headset features a sophisticated array of cameras and sensors to create deep immersive experiences. The cameras and system deliver precise head and hand tracking, along with real‑time 3D mapping. For audio, the headset comes with dual-driver audio pods strategically placed next to each ear to deliver personalized sound.
You can connect headphones or the new AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with USB‑C and still enjoy low-latency lossless audio. VisionOS allows you to navigate, select, and pick up items in the digital world without needing a controller. You can arrange your apps as you wish, browse on Safari, make to-do lists, and seamlessly interact with the real world and digital world as though they are one.
The Vision Pro is advertised to offer more pixels than a 4K TV for each eye; you can capture spatial photos and videos in 3D right from inside the virtual space. Apps in your virtual space can be moved anywhere and scaled to any perfect size of your choice. This MR headset looks like it’s going to be a great option for all kinds of entertainment, including moves and gaming.
Limitations
Apparently, the number one drawback of the apple’s vr headset will be the high price point. A whopping 3 grand and more for a “modernized” headset that lets you communicate with a digital world? That would definitely piss off many VR enthusiasts since the Meta Quest 3 seems to offer a whole lot for a much lesser price.
Also, all apps shown in the released videos from Apple showed only native Apple apps, it’s unclear if the Vision Pro headset will run third-party applications upon its launch. The tracking and motion systems included in the headset appear to work efficiently with user data, which raises privacy concerns.
Nevertheless, Apple highlights that data collected by the headset is not shared with them, instead, the data is saved right on the device. Also, people with motion sickness may not enjoy using this MR headset.
Future of Mixed Reality (MR)?
Mixed Reality offers more immersive experiences than typical virtual reality technologies. MR overlays a digital world in your present physical space and allows you to interact with both worlds with your bare hands. Apple’s Vision Pro pioneers the MR technology and comes with a lot to offer.
Speculations highlight that the Vision Pro headset could be used for health diagnoses and assist with mental health treatments in the future. Currently, Apple has tested the Vision Pro to track a user’s facial expressions and it worked to detect anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), stress, and other issues.
Also, Apple discussed that eye-tracking cameras can detect swelling in the wearer’s eyes blood vessels, which is an early sign of heart failure. Definitely, the multi-sensors and cameras that foster mixed reality technologies will get better and help in many ways, going forward.
Conclusion
What more? The Vision Pro will launch “in early 2024” and will become the most first MR headset sold for over $3k. The headset will launch with a plethora of cameras and sensors for eye and motion tracking. It is an innovative headset that will kickstart the revolution of mixed-reality technologies.
