After years of delays, Apple is finally presented its Apple Vision Pro augmented reality headset, which seamlessly blends the real and digital worlds.
According to rumors, the headset will receive a separate battery and will be controlled by eyes, hands and voice. The cost of the device will start from $ 3499 – in early 2024 it will appear on the US market, and will spread to other countries within a year.
Vision Pro is positioned as an AR device, but it will be able to switch between augmented and fully virtual reality. The headset has no controllers, and you can scroll through or click on program icons in an operating system called visionOS using your eyes or using voice commands.
The device supports Bluetooth accessories such as Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad and allows you to connect your Mac. Cameras pointing down will capture the movements of your hands.
The headset has a glass front and an aluminum frame containing five sensors, 12 cameras, a 4K display for each eye, and a computer that is cooled by a fan.
The headset’s mask (which Apple calls the Light Seal) and head band are both modularly lined with fabric and can flex to fit a variety of face shapes and head sizes.
Individual optical inserts, which are magnetically attached to the lenses of eyeglasses, were developed by Zeiss.
The device has an external battery that lasts up to two hours and can be connected using a “flexible braided cable”. Also, the headset can be connected to an external power source and used all day long.
Apple promises that the display of glasses will be unprecedentedly clear and will be able to play 4K video. The system uses two chips M2 and R1 at once.
Apple promises that users will not be isolated from their surroundings: the headset will display eyes using a system called EyeSight, but during full virtual reality mode, they will be covered by a special screen. It is possible to create a digital “personality” – a hyper-realistic avatar – by scanning the face.
During a remote call, you can use Spatial Audio and place FaceTime participants like “video tiles” around the room. You can also shoot and view 180-degree video with the 3D camera using a headset.
Apple also advertises television and arcade content for the headset, including premium content from Disney.
The headset has been in development for years and has reportedly gone through several iterations as well as years of delays. Apple’s main competitor is likely to be the Meta, which has enjoyed relative success with its gaming-focused Quest 2 headset and the controversial Quest Pro.
