- Apple has finally taken the wraps off its first-ever AR headset.
- It’s called the ‘Vision Pro’ and it runs on a dual-chip system, new software and lots of cameras.
- Here’s all you need to know about the Apple Vision Pro.
Apple has unveiled its first-ever AR headset called the ‘Vision Pro’ at WWDC, the company’s first major product release in eight years. Loosely resembling ski goggles, the Vision Pro is an AR (augmented reality) headset that seamlessly integrates with your natural environment, displaying an interface similar to an iPhone in your ambient space. The Apple Vision Pro AR headset pretty much does everything which an iPhone does -lets you watch movies, shows, play games, access apps, and make FaceTime calls.
It’s what Apple is calling ‘spatial computing’ that is introduced with the Vision Pro headset. The headset is also capable of snapping pictures and videos, and comes equipped with plenty of cameras and LiDar sensors to offer an amalgamation of tech into your reality. Let’s take a look at what this new and revolutionary product has to offer.
Apple Vision Pro price, availability
The Apple Vision Pro is priced at $3,499 which translates to roughly Rs 2,89,000. The AR headset will be available to purchase early next year from Apple.com and Apple Stores. It will be available first in the US with more countries in the pipeline. There’s no word yet on whether the Apple Vision Pro will make it to India or not.
Apple Vision Pro design
The Apple Vision Pro features two ultra-high-resolution displays with laminated glass and an aluminum frame. It also has a headband and flexible straps that are adjustable. It comes with a total of 12 cameras that include TrueDepth cameras, IR cameras, and a LiDAR Scanner as well. There’s also a button that is used to capture spatial photos and videos with the headset, and an Apple Watch-like Digital Crown to adjust the immersive display and more.
Apple has also partnered with Zeiss to offer lenses that will be attached to the headset for people who wear glasses. The Apple Vision Pro also comes with an external battery that is plugged into the headset, and you can keep it in your pocket when in use. There’s also no remote to control the headset as it relies on voice commands, hand gestures and even your eyesight. And as expected, Siri is also accessible with the Vision Pro.
Apple Vision Pro features
The Apple Vision Pro comes with a series of features that will let you experience immersive content on the go while utilising your environment at the same. So you’re not just viewing and accessing content but you’re also having an immersive experience at the same. The Vision Pro integrates the content you’re watching with your environment by changing the colour, dimming the lights, and even projecting the same background as the movie or show.
All content on the Vision Pro is free to move around and expand according to your preference. So you can fill up the entire room with the movie or place different apps side-by-side. The Vision Pro also comes with Spatial Audio so you have a surround sound experience while watching movies.
Apple also stressed the fact that even though the Vision Pro gives you an immersive experience, you’re not disconnected from the outside world and people around you. If you’re plugged into the headset and someone is nearby, Vision Pro will alert you and it will even make your eyes visible so that they can see you.
Apple Vision Pro specs
Apple’s AR headset is powered by the in-house M2 chipset for performance. It also has another chipset, which is a new one called ‘R1’. This chipset is used to process input from the 12 cameras, five cameras, and three microphones for fast and high-quality content. Apple also says the R1 chip eliminates lag during the process. On the software front, Vision Pro runs a new visionOS that is customised for the headset. And just like any other Apple device, this one too joins the ecosystem with data and content from all your other devices integrated with Vision Pro.
The Apple Vision Pro also uses Optic ID to unlock the headset, make App Store purchases, and use Apple Pay. The AR headset also creates this digital persona of yours by mapping your face and adding pre-scanned data for this digital avatar that will be used while interacting with other people.
The Vision Pro is undoubtedly Apple’s biggest product in years and one of the most revolutionary products in general. The wait is long for the Vision Pro to sell commercially but it’s interesting how this big leap will turn out for Apple.
