Apple Vision Pro was launched on Monday at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference. The first mixed reality headset from Apple is equipped with high resolution displays with EyeSight that allows a wearer to remain aware of their surroundings. The device features eye and voice control support. It is also equipped with multiple sensors and cameras and supports both augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies. The new mixed reality headset from Apple is powered by a battery pack that is worn by the user.
The new mixed reality headset resembles a pair of ski goggles with an aluminium frame and a glass display, along with a fabric-lined mask and strap that are attached to the wearer’s face. It is powered by a discrete battery pack that is connected via a cable on the left side of the device. Apple says that the device can be controlled via eyes, simply by looking at graphical elements on the display. Users can also tap their fingers and use voice commands to control objects and enter text in fields displayed in front of the wearer’s eyes.
Apple Vision Pro is claimed to offer up to two hours of battery life
Photo Credit: Apple
According to the company, the Apple Vision Pro will allow users to see their surroundings with a feature called EyeSight that uses camera sensors all around the device, while showing neighbours a wearer’s eyes while in AR mode. A dial on the right edge will switch between AR and VR modes. It will allow users to access specific apps.
Apple Vision Pro price, availability
Apple Vision Pro price is set at $3,499 (roughly Rs. 2,88,700) and the mixed reality headset will go on sale early next year via Apple.com and Apple retail stores in the US. There is no word from Apple on when the headset will be available in other markets, including India.
Apple Vision Pro specifications
The new Apple Vision Pro is equipped with dual Micro OLED displays with 23 million pixels across both panels. The headset is equipped with a custom 3D lens that allows a wearer to see AR content across their field of view. It features foveated rendering to show the highest resolution image in the area the viewer is looking.
The device is also equipped with a full sensor array including high-speed main cameras, downward cameras for hand tracking, IR illuminators, and side cameras. It also has a LiDAR scanner and TrueDepth cameras for hand tracking and understanding the space under the device. It is equipped with two individually amplified drivers that deliver personalised Spatial Audio, according to Apple.
Apple Vision Pro is powered by Apple’s powerful M2 chip, as well as a new chip called R1 that is also based on M2. It supports 12 cameras, five sensors, and six microphones, according to the company. Apple claims that the headset can display images within 12ms. The company says that Zeiss optical inserts will be available for wearers who have spectacles, allowing them to use the headset.
Apple Vision Pro will feature multitasking support for various apps
Photo Credit: Apple
The headset can authenticate users with a new Optic ID feature that can scan a user’s iris. Verification is done on device on the headset processor’s Secure Enclave, just like on an iPhone and other Apple devices. Apple also says that the device will use its various sensors to create a “Persona” of a user, a life-size tile of their face, minus the headset, that shows up during FaceTime calls.
The headset runs on a new operating system called visionOS that features a real-time subsystem, a spatial audio engine, a multi-app 3D engine, as well as a foveated renderer to optimise performance. The operating system is also compatible with iOS and spatial frameworks, according to Apple.
The company has partnered with Disney to bring support for AR-enhanced content on day one when the headset is available next year. It has also announced support for several apps including Zoom, Cisco WebEx, Adobe Lightroom, Microsoft, Word, Excel, and Microsoft Teams. Apple has also partnered with Unity to allow native support for these apps on the headset.