Rumours have been swirling for the past few weeks, and Apple has finally laid to rest speculations surrounding the Vision Pro with an announcement on its website. Apple’s AR/VR headset will launch in stores on February 2nd, with pre-orders starting on January 19 at 5AM PST. It has to be mentioned that this launch appears to be only for the US market at this stage.
At the core of Apple Vision Pro is the visionOS, a new-age operating system that builds upon Apple’s decades of engineering innovations in macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. VisionOS introduces a new way of interaction through a three-dimensional interface, controlled by eye movements, hand gestures, and voice commands. This interface allows for a supposedly intuitive and natural way of interacting with technology. The operating system also offers unique spatial experiences, and Apple claims that it will improve productivity and add to the entertainment experience that traditional fixed screens haven’t been able to offer.
The device features Environments, dynamic landscapes that extend beyond physical room dimensions, helping users focus or declutter their space. These Environments can be adjusted using the Digital Crown, allowing users to control their level of immersion.
Apple Vision Pro transforms personal computing by offering a three-dimensional interface that liberates apps from traditional screen boundaries. This creates a workspace with an seemingly infinite canvas for multitasking and collaboration. Over 1 million familiar iOS and iPadOS apps are going to be available on the Vision Pro from day one, alongside an all-new App Store catering to spatial computing experiences.
The Vision Pro supports productivity with apps like Fantastical, Freeform, JigSpace, Microsoft 365, and Slack. It supports Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad, and introduces Mac Virtual Display for an expansive, private, and portable 4K display experience.
For entertainment, the Vision Pro boasts ultra-high-resolution displays, offering a cinematic experience with support for HDR content. It introduces Apple Immersive Video, a novel format for 180-degree, three-dimensional 8K recordings with Spatial Audio. Gaming is said to be elevated with access to a vast array of titles on the App Store and Apple Arcade.
The Vision Pro allows for spatial photos and videos, complemented by Spatial Audio for a deeply immersive experience. Apple claims that FaceTime on Vision Pro improves spatial interactions, allowing users to appear as their Persona, a real-time spatial representation of themselves, in video calls.
Apple Vision Pro incorporates advanced materials for performance, mobility, and wearability. It is designed as a modular system for a personalized fit, featuring a three-dimensionally formed, laminated glass and custom aluminum alloy frame. It features an ultra-high-resolution display system with micro-OLED technology, advanced Spatial Audio, high-performance eye tracking, and the groundbreaking EyeSight feature for intuitive interaction.
Apple has also introduced features to improve privacy and security in Vision Pro, with Optic ID for secure authentication and ensuring eye tracking data remains private.
Prices start at $3,499. You can read the full piece on all its capabilities here, along with my reservations about the device.
