It looks like Apple is gearing up to take movie watching to the next dimension—quite literally. The buzz is that the App Store may soon be showcasing its first array of 3D movies, all geared up for the anticipated launch of the Apple Vision Pro headset. You’ll be able to spot these futuristic flicks by a unique 3D-compatible icon sitting snugly next to the film’s title.
Recent reports suggest that a handful of 3D titles have quietly surfaced on the Apple TV app, which many speculate is in preparation for the Vision Pro’s debut next year. The folks at FlatpanelsHD were the first to notice this update while combing through the latest tvOS 17.2 beta release. They found that the update wasn’t just a mere facelift for Apple TV but rather a hint of three-dimensional offerings to come. From blockbuster hits like “Jurassic World Dominion” to fan favorites such as “Pacific Rim Uprising” and the animated classic “Shrek,” a variety of action-packed titles are now listed. For the full roster of 3D content, FlatpanelsHD is the place to check.
What’s notable is that all these titles have graced the big screen in 3D at some point in their history. As of now, there’s no sign of any brand-new 3D content created exclusively for the platform. This absence of original 3D material has sparked some interesting conversation. Could Apple be devising a new format for these films, tailored for the Vision Pro experience? This remains speculative territory, as we’re yet to uncover the tech giant’s full blueprint.
When it comes to the viewing experience, while the exact resolution and frame rate of these 3D movies are still under wraps, there are some clues. Each eye on the Vision Pro is rumored to boast a 4K display, which would be a treat for the visual senses. This means even classics like “Shrek” might get a visual uplift to meet this high-definition standard.
While we can only guess the resolution details, we do have insights into the user experience that Apple is aiming for: an engaging and strain-free viewing journey. There’s even a developer’s video on Apple’s website that provides a window into preparing content for the upcoming visionOS. The 16-minute guide is quite technical, but it boils down to Apple’s commitment to creating an all-encompassing and comfortable environment for media consumption.
The technology behind this lies in stereoscopic 3D, where flat images are manipulated to create a sense of depth. This is achieved by presenting a slightly different image to each eye, mimicking the natural way our vision works to perceive depth through parallax. This method has to be precise, as any discrepancy in rendered elements could result in a less than pleasant viewing experience.
This whole movement could be setting the stage for a 3D movie revival, with Apple’s new hardware providing the perfect platform. Despite 3D TVs becoming virtually extinct, there’s a small cadre of companies like Magnetic3D that are still holding the torch for this format. With the right content, who knows, we might see a resurgence—perhaps even led by the rumored new Godzilla series, “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.”
This unfolding narrative is surely an intriguing one, and as the pieces of Apple’s 3D puzzle come together, it’s hard not to be excited about the potential resurgence of 3D home entertainment, powered by none other than the tech titan itself.
