During their latest WWDC convention, Apple has shown some of its latest hardware/software projects, with the Vision Pro AR/VR headset at the forefront. According to Apple, this is the first spatial computer, which allows people to stay in the physical world while connecting with digital items/characters/menus and many other things. It’s a new era in the world of computing, but is it something we should buy? Let’s find out!
Design
Apple is widely known for its exceptional product design, and Vision Pro certainly stands out in that regard. The design is all about wearability and comfort. You have a custom aluminum alloy frame that curves around the user’s face. The design is modular too, which means you can adapt it to your face and not worry about discomfort.
The headband has excellent cushioning, and you can adjust its size accordingly. Customization and ease of use are significant factors here. The light seal ensures you’re getting the best fit and features a soft textile material. You even have flexible straps that adjust to the user’s head, regardless of its size. An essential thing to note is that if you need glasses, you can acquire ZEISS optical inserts from Apple; they are a separate purchase. However, they are a great option if you want to maintain that sense of immersion while also seeing clearly!
New Features
The Vision Pro features the M2 processor and a new R1 chip. The latter is very powerful, and it can process input coming from 6 microphones, 5 sensors, and 12 cameras all at once. According to Apple, you don’t have any lag/latency problems. The new chip is custom-made and can update images 8x faster than what our eyes can perceive.
Another important aspect is that we’re getting two displays that combine to create a massive 4K display. Apple says that text sharpness will be excellent from any angle, and we can also render videos in 4K if we want. They added 2 drivers per audio pod to create personal spatial audio.
When it comes to eye-tracking, Vision Pro uses something called Optic ID. Your account gets unlocked using your iris, so Apple takes security seriously. The Vision Pro battery life is roughly 2 hours, but it can be more or less according to the intensity of what apps you might use.
Vision Pro apps
Vision Pro will feature apps you can use to watch movies, go through your music or images, and even connect with others and talk about a presentation. Vision Pro has its own VisionOS, made with visual computing in mind.
Apple is working on an app store specific to the device. They said many apps are already in the late stages of development, including video conferencing, office, or even some editing apps. Around 100 Apple Arcade games will be ready to play on the Vision Pro too.
Ways to use & enjoy
There are a large variety of uses for Vision Pro, and Apple seems to lean towards the entertainment side. Disney+ will have a particular version for this device; we will also have the opportunity to watch movies and TV on it. And yes, we can also browse images and videos or even play games if we want.
However, Vision Pro also has a more professional use case here too. You can enter video conferences and even share presentations. It’s safe to say that Apple will also bring some business-related apps to its app store, and more business features will arrive.
Is this the new standard of VR/AR for the future?
Vision Pro uses familiar features, but it also brings revolutionary ideas. What’s great about this device is that Apple is not holding back, and they focus a lot on immersion. They are working on a device that’s great for entertainment and professional users.
Are there any risks?
The Vision Pro seems like an extraordinary device, but not without risks. It’s a product that keeps you in these virtual environments, which can isolate many individuals and cause mental health problems. Since your retinal info stays on the device, there are some privacy concerns.
Controversial release price-tag
While many people are excited to use the Vision Pro, there’s also some controversy regarding the price. Apple asks USD $3,499 (AUD $5,000+) for the Vision Pro, with the device set to arrive in early 2024 in the US and other markets soon after that. At this price point, the Vision Pro will be very prohibitive, especially when we consider that most VR/AR devices cost up to $1000+ maybe slightly more for the more advanced options.
At USD $3,499 (AUD $5,000+), Apple’s Vision Pro has tons to prove and show its potential customers. It might very well be a device targeting enthusiasts, so we don’t know how mainstream it will be in the long term. However, it does seem like a very well-built, high-quality product worthy of Apple branding.
Conclusion
There are many things to be excited about regarding the Vision Pro from Apple. Its great focus on AR/VR, great design, and powerful computing features set the device apart. Although pricing is very prohibitive, Vision Pro can become a revolutionary, excellent device for Apple fans and augmented/virtual reality enthusiasts.
juni 
OPINION |
During their latest WWDC convention, Apple has shown some of its latest hardware/software projects, with the Vision Pro AR/VR headset at the forefront. According to Apple, this is the first spatial computer, which allows people to stay in the physical world while connecting with digital items/characters/menus and many other things. It’s a new era in the world of computing, but is it something we should buy? Let’s find out!
Design
Apple is widely known for its exceptional product design, and Vision Pro certainly stands out in that regard. The design is all about wearability and comfort. You have a custom aluminum alloy frame that curves around the user’s face. The design is modular too, which means you can adapt it to your face and not worry about discomfort.
The headband has excellent cushioning, and you can adjust its size accordingly. Customization and ease of use are significant factors here. The light seal ensures you’re getting the best fit and features a soft textile material. You even have flexible straps that adjust to the user’s head, regardless of its size. An essential thing to note is that if you need glasses, you can acquire ZEISS optical inserts from Apple; they are a separate purchase. However, they are a great option if you want to maintain that sense of immersion while also seeing clearly!
New Features
The Vision Pro features the M2 processor and a new R1 chip. The latter is very powerful, and it can process input coming from 6 microphones, 5 sensors, and 12 cameras all at once. According to Apple, you don’t have any lag/latency problems. The new chip is custom-made and can update images 8x faster than what our eyes can perceive.
Another important aspect is that we’re getting two displays that combine to create a massive 4K display. Apple says that text sharpness will be excellent from any angle, and we can also render videos in 4K if we want. They added 2 drivers per audio pod to create personal spatial audio.
When it comes to eye-tracking, Vision Pro uses something called Optic ID. Your account gets unlocked using your iris, so Apple takes security seriously. The Vision Pro battery life is roughly 2 hours, but it can be more or less according to the intensity of what apps you might use.
Vision Pro apps
Vision Pro will feature apps you can use to watch movies, go through your music or images, and even connect with others and talk about a presentation. Vision Pro has its own VisionOS, made with visual computing in mind.
Apple is working on an app store specific to the device. They said many apps are already in the late stages of development, including video conferencing, office, or even some editing apps. Around 100 Apple Arcade games will be ready to play on the Vision Pro too.
Ways to use & enjoy
There are a large variety of uses for Vision Pro, and Apple seems to lean towards the entertainment side. Disney+ will have a particular version for this device; we will also have the opportunity to watch movies and TV on it. And yes, we can also browse images and videos or even play games if we want.
However, Vision Pro also has a more professional use case here too. You can enter video conferences and even share presentations. It’s safe to say that Apple will also bring some business-related apps to its app store, and more business features will arrive.
Is this the new standard of VR/AR for the future?
Vision Pro uses familiar features, but it also brings revolutionary ideas. What’s great about this device is that Apple is not holding back, and they focus a lot on immersion. They are working on a device that’s great for entertainment and professional users.
Are there any risks?
The Vision Pro seems like an extraordinary device, but not without risks. It’s a product that keeps you in these virtual environments, which can isolate many individuals and cause mental health problems. Since your retinal info stays on the device, there are some privacy concerns.
Controversial release price-tag
While many people are excited to use the Vision Pro, there’s also some controversy regarding the price. Apple asks USD $3,499 (AUD $5,000+) for the Vision Pro, with the device set to arrive in early 2024 in the US and other markets soon after that. At this price point, the Vision Pro will be very prohibitive, especially when we consider that most VR/AR devices cost up to $1000+ maybe slightly more for the more advanced options.
At USD $3,499 (AUD $5,000+), Apple’s Vision Pro has tons to prove and show its potential customers. It might very well be a device targeting enthusiasts, so we don’t know how mainstream it will be in the long term. However, it does seem like a very well-built, high-quality product worthy of Apple branding.
Conclusion
There are many things to be excited about regarding the Vision Pro from Apple. Its great focus on AR/VR, great design, and powerful computing features set the device apart. Although pricing is very prohibitive, Vision Pro can become a revolutionary, excellent device for Apple fans and augmented/virtual reality enthusiasts.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License