Apple has finally revealed information about its mixed-reality wearable computer headset called the Apple Vision Pro, at WWDC23, – its annual software conference.
Apple took its time to make its Vision Pro for many years as other tech giants dived into the AR/VR market. However, with Apple now in the market, many competitors might see a shift in their market share.
During the WWDC23, Apple chief executive Tim Cook showed off the device in a pretaped demo video. “It’s the first product you look through, and not at,” Cook said. “You can see, hear, and act with digital content just like it’s in your physical space. You’re no longer limited by a display.”
“You can relive your most important memories in an entirely new way,” Cook added. “Apple Vision Pro will introduce spatial computing” similar to the way the iPhone introduced mobile computing, he said.
According to Apple, the price of Apple Vision Pro starts at $3,499 and will be available “early next year”.
The Apple Vision Pro might be better than other brands because it allows the wearer to see the real or physical world around them, as the headset does not fully envelop the face, thereby limiting real visibility.
A floating “Home View” appears as soon as the wearer straps it on, and Apple expects people to wear the headset and go about their daily routine.
Some of the features of the Apple Vision Pro include 4K displays, infrared cameras, and LED illuminators. Apple executives also said many times that the field of view isn’t limited, which means it’s likely not using the waveguide lens technology usually used on other augmented-reality headsets (which refracts light and casts virtual objects into the wearer’s eyes.) The Vision Pro runs on Apple’s M2 chip, as well as a new, mixed-reality-specific R1 chip.
Another prominent feature of the Vision Pro headset is its small dial, which lets wearers change between mixed-reality mode—seeing more of the real world—and virtual-reality mode, which offers more immersive face-computing.
Apple Visual Pro also used voice input, including Siri, to open and close apps and play media. In the pretaped demo of the new headset, no hand controllers were used. Tiny spatial audio speakers are located in the headband.
Apple VR headsets, like other augmented-reality headsets, such as NReal’s glasses and Magic Leap’s headsets, also have an external battery pack.
Users can also capture a spatial photo or video while using the headset, thanks to a built-in 3D camera. It can also create a realistic 3D avatar of you.
It also allows users to use some apps such as Facetime and Microsoft Teams and do other online tasks such as sending emails, browsing on the web, and connecting with external accessories. Apple app developers might start creating some apps that will be compatible with it in the future.
Apple Vision Pro Partners With Disney
Disney CEO Bob Iger was welcomed on stage by Cook during the Apple Vison Pro showcase. Iger described ways the new VR headset could create new immersive experiences for Disney fans and teed off a demo of the Disney+ app being used in VR. Disney+ will be available at launch. “Apple Vision Pro will change the way we communicate and collaborate,” Iger added.
Virtual Reality headsets are not new. Though they have existed for years, it has failed to reach mass adoption by people. According to research from the International Data Corporation, shipments of VR headsets declined by more than 20 percent in 2022. The Wall Street Journal, citing Pitchbook, said venture capital investments in VR startupsare also down significantly from a few years ago.
Meta headsets comprise nearly 80 percent of the market according to IDC. The cheaper Meta Quest and Quest 2 VR headsets have sold better than most, with a reported 20 million units sold since the product’s launch. Meta recently announced theMeta Quest 3, ahead of Apple’s big announcement.
However, Meta still struggles to sell its much more expensive model, the $1,000 pricedMeta Quest Pro, after spending billions of dollars into its “metaverse” world. The Facebook parent company has said it expects its 2023 losses from Reality Labs, its VR arm, to increase significantly year-over-year.
Despite the current low demand for VR headsets, IDC said that it still expects demand to grow by 14 percent in 2023 and to continue growing in the five years after that.
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