Apple introduced the Vision Pro, a mixed reality headset that combines augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (Virtual reality, VR) features. Rumors about this device have been circulating for years.
Image Source: Apple
The novelty is primarily positioned as an AR headset, but it allows you to fully switch to 3D virtual reality mode using a special analog wheel, similar to the wheel of an Apple Watch. Vision Pro does not include physical controllers. All control and movement between applications is carried out using a glance, gestures, as well as voice commands.
The headset uses five sensors, 12 cameras and a display. The novelty is equipped with an active cooling system and built-in Audio Pods with support for spatial sound.
The headband of the headset is made of fabric material and uses a modular design that will fit different types and sizes of users’ heads. The headset itself has only a few control buttons – for photos and video recording, as well as a special switch between AR and VR. The headband is adjustable in size.
Zeiss has developed special magnetic optical pads for the headset, which are attached to the headset, thanks to which the device can also be used by people who wear glasses.
The Apple Vision Pro Headset has an external corded battery that you can carry around your belt or in your pocket. One charge lasts up to two hours of use. If desired, the device can be connected to the power supply. An interesting feature of the novelty is an external digital display EyeSigh, which will display the user’s eyes, which will allow people around to understand whether the user is inside virtual reality.
The novelty has impressive characteristics. In the area of one pixel of the iPhone screen, the screen of the Vision Pro headset immediately accommodates 64 pixels. Due to this, 23 million pixels are displayed on the display of a device consisting of two panels (one for each eye). The novelty supports resolutions over 4K and has support for HDR.
The device uses two processors. The main chip is M2. He is accompanied by an auxiliary processor R1, which is responsible for the operation of 12 cameras, five sensors and six microphones. The M2 chip is responsible for the performance of the Vision Pro, R1 for the user’s immersive AR or VR functions.
The VisionOS operating system on the Apple Vision Pro headset may sound familiar to iOS and iPadOS users. It has a home screen, which displays the icons of various applications and widgets. The background under the icons is transparent, so when using the device it will seem that they are floating in the air. Each interface element is written in 3D, shadows fall from them. Windows of open applications can be scaled to your taste and moved wherever you want. Graphical elements of the interface respond to the movements of the user’s eyes; to select a specific application, you need to work with your hands. For example, touch two fingers to confirm, or rub them to scroll. You can also bring the window closer by waving your hand in your direction.
The Vision Pro 4K virtual screen can also be screened from a Mac. The device supports the Magic Trackpad and the Magic Keyboard. In other words, Bluetooth accessories can be used with Vision Pro. The novelty also supports a special version of FaceTime, which allows you to see digital versions of your interlocutor during one-on-one calls. New interlocutors are added to the digital interface in the form of digital avatars floating in the air.
Vision Pro also works as a personal cinema. You can adjust the screen size, and the operating system of the device will darken the surrounding area and turn on the spatial sound function. You can watch 3D movies on your device. As a demonstration, Apple showed a scene from the movie “Avatar: The Path of Water” in 3D.
Vision Pro supports the Apple Arcade game library. You need a controller to control it. The company promises that at the start of sales of the headset, hundreds of different games and many different applications will be supported by the device.
Apple calls the Vision Pro “the most advanced electronic device ever.” For its development, which lasted for many years, over 5,000 patents were used. The novelty should go on sale early next year. Its cost will be $3499. Initially, the novelty will be available only in the US. Then the geography of sales by country will be expanded.
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