Apple Vision Pro Headset: Price, Release Date, Specs, Features & Review of This Revolutionary AR

The highly anticipated moment of WWDC 23 finally arrived, as Apple unveiled their latest groundbreaking innovation—the Apple Vision Pro Headset, a remarkable pair of augmented reality glasses. The Steve Jobs theater was abuzz with excitement as Tim Cook took the stage, brimming with enthusiasm.

“It is the first Apple product that you look at, and you don’t,” said the CEO Tim Cook of those from Cupertino.

The Apple Vision Pro is mainly marketed as an AR device, but it offers the flexibility to switch between augmented reality and full virtual reality using a dial. This device lacks physical controls and instead utilizes scanning technology to navigate rows of app icons by simply looking at them. To select and scroll, you can tap on the icons, and the device also supports voice commands. Apple ensures that the headset doesn’t isolate you from your surroundings; it incorporates a feature called EyeSight that displays your eyes to others.

The Apple Vision Pro takes center stage as an AR device, but it offers the flexibility to switch between augmented and full VR using a dial. Instead of relying on controls, the device scans rows of app icons by looking at them. You have the power to tap, select, and scroll through the icons. Additionally, voice commands are supported for seamless interaction.

Apple promises that wearing the Vision Pro won’t isolate you from the people around you. With the EyeSight system, the headset displays your eyes, ensuring a connection with others and avoiding a sense of isolation.

“Today marks the beginning of a new era for computing,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Just as the Mac introduced us to personal computing, and the iPhone introduced us to mobile computing, Apple Vision Pro introduces us to spatial computing. Built on decades of Apple innovation, Vision Pro is years ahead of and unlike anything that came before it, with a revolutionary new input system and thousands of groundbreaking innovations. It unlocks amazing experiences for our users and exciting new opportunities for our developers.”

“Creating our first space computer required invention in almost every facet of the system,” explained Mike Rockwell, Vice President of Apple’s Technology Development Group. “Through tight integration of hardware and software, we designed an independent space computer in a compact portable form factor that is the most advanced personal electronic device ever.

“Visually, the Vision Pro exudes the sleek and distinctive Apple aesthetic. Its design resembles an elongated and curved extension of the iPhone, elegantly wrapping around the user’s eyes. The device showcases glossy edges and a lustrous glass front. Drawing inspiration from the Apple Watch and AirPods Max, the familiar digital crown is positioned on the side of the Vision Pro. Even the band accompanying the device brings to mind the refined style of an Apple Watch band.

Apple Vision Pro Specs

Here are the specifications of the Apple Vision Pro:

Display

Dual micro-OLED displays with 23 million pixels each with a per-eye resolution of over 4K. The displays are made of micro-OLED, which is a type of display that offers better contrast and color accuracy than traditional OLED displays.

Processor

Powerful Apple M2 chip for smooth performance. The M2 chip is Apple’s latest and most powerful chip. It is designed specifically for AR and VR applications.

Camera

12 cameras for tracking your head, hands, and environment. They are also used for capturing 3D images and video.

Sensors

5 sensors for tracking your heart rate, body temperature, and other vital signs. They are also used for environmental sensing.

Microphone

6 microphones for spatial audio, they are also used for voice commands and dictation.

Operating system

VisionOS operating system with a focus on gaming, productivity and creativity. The VisionOS operating system is a new operating system that is designed specifically for AR and VR applications.

Audio

Spatial audio with 3D sound. The customized 3D lens is designed to provide a comfortable and immersive AR experience.

Apple Vision Pro Features

• Apple Vision Pro boasts two ultra-high-resolution screens, capable of turning any space into a personal movie theater. With its expansive 100-foot-wide screen and advanced spatial audio system, users can indulge in an immersive cinematic experience. They can watch their favorite movies and TV shows, or be captivated by the breathtaking visuals of three-dimensional films. Apple Immersive Video takes it a step further, offering 180-degree high-resolution recordings accompanied by Spatial Audio. Users are treated to a thrilling selection of immersive video content that transports them to entirely new and captivating destinations.
• Environments in Apple Vision Pro expand a user’s world beyond the confines of a physical room. These environments present stunning and dynamic landscapes that serve various purposes. They can help users enhance their focus or declutter crowded spaces, providing a visually appealing backdrop. By simply turning the Digital Crown, users have full control over the level of presence and immersion they experience within an environment. This intuitive feature allows them to customize their experience and find the perfect balance between engagement and their surroundings.
• Apple Vision Pro introduces Apple’s groundbreaking three-dimensional camera, empowering users to capture, relive, and fully immerse themselves in their cherished memories. With the added dimension of Spatial Audio, each spatial photo and video transports users back to significant moments in their lives, be it a joyous gathering with friends or a memorable family reunion. Users have seamless access to their complete iCloud Photo Library, allowing them to view their photos and videos at a life-size scale, showcasing vibrant colors and exquisite details. Moreover, panoramic shots taken on the iPhone extend and envelop the user, creating a compelling sensation of actually standing in the very location where those shots were captured.
• Apple Vision Pro revolutionizes FaceTime calls by leveraging the surrounding environment to enhance the user experience. During a FaceTime call, each participant is displayed in life-size tiles, making it feel as if they are right there in the room. The addition of Spatial Audio further enriches the call, creating the illusion that the participants’ voices originate from their specific positions. When using Vision Pro on a FaceTime call, users see themselves as a digital representation, carefully crafted through Apple’s advanced machine learning techniques. This representation mirrors their face and hand movements in real time, adding a personal touch to the conversation. Moreover, users can engage in shared activities while on a call, such as watching a movie, browsing through photos, or collaborating on a presentation. Vision Pro brings people together and encourages seamless collaboration, making FaceTime calls even more immersive and interactive.
• In Apple Vision Pro, users can explore a brand-new App Store that showcases a wide range of apps and content from developers. They have the opportunity to access an extensive collection of familiar iPhone and iPad apps, all of which seamlessly integrate and adapt to the new input system of Vision Pro. This ensures that these apps work flawlessly and effortlessly with the device. Moreover, Apple’s vibrant developer community can take full advantage of Vision Pro’s powerful and distinctive capabilities, enabling them to craft innovative app experiences. They can reimagine existing apps or create entirely new ones specifically designed for spatial computing. With the combination of Vision Pro and visionOS, developers have a unique platform to unleash their creativity and provide users with groundbreaking app interactions.
• visionOS introduces a groundbreaking three-dimensional interface that liberates apps from screen limitations. It enables them to appear alongside each other at various sizes, fostering a truly immersive experience. Apple Vision Pro takes productivity to new heights, offering users limitless screen space, seamless access to their beloved apps, and innovative multitasking options. By supporting Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad, users can effortlessly configure an ideal workspace or effortlessly extend the impressive capabilities of their Mac to Vision Pro wirelessly. This allows for the creation of an expansive, private, and portable 4K display with exceptionally crisp text.

Apple Vision Pro uses

Here are several applications for the Apple Vision Pro headset that offer a range of possibilities:

1. Gaming: The Vision Pro headset provides an immersive virtual reality (VR) gaming experience. It allows users to explore new virtual worlds, take on exciting challenges, and even compete with friends online.
2. Productivity: The Vision Pro headset enhances productivity by offering various features. For instance, it enables users to view documents and spreadsheets in a larger format, facilitating easier data analysis and collaboration with others in real time.
3. Creativity: With the Vision Pro headset, users can unleash their creative potential by designing and crafting 3D content. It serves as a platform for developing games, designing products, or even expressing artistic ideas.
4. Communication: The Vision Pro headset revolutionizes communication by providing a more immersive interaction with others. Users can utilize the built-in microphone and speakers to engage in conversations or leverage the pass-through mode, enabling them to remain connected in the virtual realm while still perceiving the real world.
5. Education: The Vision Pro headset transforms the learning experience by delivering an immersive educational environment. Users can explore 3D models of objects, gaining a deeper understanding, or simulate real-world scenarios to facilitate practical learning in various fields.

Apple Vision Pro Release Date & Availability

Starting early next year, customers can conveniently access Apple Vision Pro on apple.com and in Apple Stores across the United States. The availability will expand to more countries later in the year. At Apple Store locations, customers will have the opportunity to learn about the features, experience the device firsthand, and personalize their fit for Vision Pro. To gather more information about Vision Pro, interested individuals can visit apple.com/apple-vision-pro.

Apple Vision Pro Price

The introductory price for Apple Vision Pro is set at $3,499, positioning it at a higher price point compared to other AR headsets available in the market. For instance, the Meta Quest 2 is priced at $299. It is important to note that Apple believes the Vision Pro’s exceptional features and performance will provide ample justification for its higher price. The company is confident in delivering a premium and unparalleled AR experience to its users.

Apple’s Vision Pro Reviews

YouTube Videos

Tech experts are expressing great enthusiasm for the Apple Vision Pro headset. Mark Gurman, a reputable Bloomberg reporter known for his accurate coverage of Apple products, hailed it as the most advanced AR headset currently available. He emphasized the multitude of features packed into the device, asserting that it will have a transformative impact on both consumers and businesses.

According to Ben Thompson, a respected tech analyst who operates the website 9to5Google, the Vision Pro stands out as the first AR headset that appears ready for widespread adoption. While acknowledging that it may not be flawless, Thompson considers it a significant leap forward for the technology.

Undoubtedly, the Apple Vision Pro headset will bring about a revolution in our interaction with technology. Its impressive capabilities and stylish design position it as the preferred choice for both consumers and businesses in the realm of augmented reality. Whether used for gaming, enhancing productivity, or facilitating education, the Vision Pro has the potential to reshape the way we engage with work, leisure, and learning.

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