Apple’s Vision Pro Headset:
On Friday in the US, Apple’s first new product in seven years, the Vision Pro, will formally go on sale in stores.
In anticipation of becoming among the first customers to obtain one of the most cutting-edge tech goods in years, the mixed reality headset is scheduled to go on sale at Apple Stores around the nation.
Additionally, customers will have the option to go into stores and, on a first-come, first-served basis, obtain private one-on-one demos.
CEO Tim Cook has long emphasized how augmented reality may facilitate communication and teamwork. He must now demonstrate that a gadget that combines augmented reality with virtual reality—a technology that superimposes virtual pictures over real-time footage of the world—is, in fact, the computer of the future.
Cook referred to it as “the most advanced consumer electronics device ever created” prior to its release.
However, selling a $3,499 cumbersome computer that you wear on your face won’t be simple. Prescription lens inserts for the headgear, which will cost $149, will come with 256 GB of storage. Inserts for reading lenses begin at $99.
It can cost as much as $4,600 when you include in extra accessories, such as a $200 travel bag, a $50 power pack holder, and more, according to The New York Times.
The headset launches at a time when the augmented, virtual, and mixed reality (XR) markets have reached a plateau and are not yet widely used by consumers. With only a few apps available right out of the box and a battery pack the size of an iPhone, the Vision Pro can run on a single charge for roughly 2.5 hours.
But when it comes to engaging with the environment and watching immersive films, the experience is unrivaled. It’s uncommon to come across a new technology that feels revolutionary, but from the two demos CNN saw before to launch, it’s clear that this is the future—or at least an expensive, early prototype of it.
Apple’s Vision Pro Headset: The experience of the user
Upon closer inspection, the headgear appears to be a pair of designer ski goggles. An adjustable and soft strap is located on the top of the device, a “digital crown” is located on the back of the device, which is a larger version than the one that is found on an Apple Watch, and there is another digital crown located on the top that functions as a kind of home button.
In spite of the fact that it still serves as a computer around the eyes, it is surprisingly lightweight and comfortable to wear.
The procedure of setting up the headgear is simple: first, it takes a picture of the environment, scans the hands, and tracks the eyes. Afterwards, users will be presented with an interface that is similar to that of iOS before their environment.
By making eye motions and touching the thumb and pointer finger together, it triggers a “select” button, which enables users to enter and exit applications including Messages, FaceTime, Safari, and Photos without any interruptions. It is also possible to activate Siri by using voice commands on the UI.
Photographs can be viewed in a manner that is either life-size or as if they were being viewed on a massive cinema screen. Panoramic movies, on the other hand, put you right in the middle of the action. A spatial photo option is also available in Vision Pro, which enables users to view photographs and movies in three dimensions, resulting in an experience that is even more lifelike.
There are a variety of applications for the Vision Pro, ranging from working to cooking to meditating. By synchronizing their Mac computer, users are able to transform the screen into a massive display and attach a real keyboard to their Apple computer.
It is feasible to have multiple windows open at the same time in order to achieve this level of productivity: It is possible to keep a FaceTime call on the right side of the screen, a Safari browser open in the middle, and email on the left side of the screen. When a person is using FaceTime while wearing Vision Pro, they will take on the appearance of a Persona, which is a digital depiction of their face that is similar to an avatar.
When it comes to the Vision Pro, however, the immersive videos are where the real magic happens.
A recent demonstration provided us with the opportunity to watch footage from “Star Wars” on Disney+ while seated inside a virtual replica of Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder vehicle. This viewing experience is sure to excite any movie lover. The experience of seeing an underwater scene from “Avatar 2” in three-dimensional space was likewise bizarre, giving the impression that users were actually present in the ocean.
Apple has made measures to alleviate the motion sickness issue that has afflicted other headsets. Additionally, the company has developed a special processor that reduces the latency problem that is present in products that are comparable to Apple’s. Surround sound is included in Vision Pro, which features audio pods that are placed outside of the ears to create a rich and immersive audio experience.
Apple has provided a nearly ten-minute guided tour on its website in order to assist users in navigating their new headset.
The hunger of consumers
The iPhone, the Apple Watch, and almost every other new product that Apple releases makes the promise that it will use displays of varying sizes to revolutionize the way in which we live, work, and interact with the world. It is possible that the Vision Pro will be able to accomplish all of that in a manner that is even more remarkable.
In spite of this, it is highly likely that the Vision Pro will continue to be a specialized product for loyal Apple fans and software developers. This is mostly owing to the high cost of the equipment.
During the first pre-order weekend that took place a month ago, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated that the business sold an anticipated 160,000 to 180,000 Vision Pro headsets.
As a result of the fact that shipping times remained relatively similar after the first 48 hours, it is possible that demand will decrease after the purchases of core fans have been placed. After new iPhone models have been sold out, shipping windows often become more expansive.
The company is expected to ship up to 400,000 Vision Pro systems this year, according to analysts from Morgan Stanley International.
The price tag.
The Vision Pro starts at $3,499, which is far higher than rival Meta’s most costly headset, the Meta Quest Pro, which costs $999. Even Apple’s most devoted supporters are likely to find that price tag prohibitively expensive, especially considering the AR/VR industry’s relatively narrow position in the consumer tech world.
Apple describes the Vision Pro as a “spatial computer,” rather than a basic headset. You’ll use it to view movies, play games, and, most significantly, utilize productivity apps because it can mirror your MacBook’s screen and display it as a giant window floating in space right in front of you. Whether that’s worth the entry fee is up to Apple’s legion of customers.
