Apple Vision Pro Unveiled: Long-Awaited Gadget Reviewed
The brains behind Apple have rolled out a VR headset, banking on it becoming the next must-have gadget following the iPhone. It's noteworthy to mention that the Apple Vision Pro marks the first major release since the Apple Watch. Substantial resources have been poured into its development and Apple is pinning great expectations on this novelty.
The unveiling took place on the 5th of June at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference in California. The headset was personally presented by Tim Cook. He hailed the Apple Vision Pro as an inventive breakthrough that signifies the advent of an “era of spatial computing, where digital content blends seamlessly with your physical space”.
Apple Vision Pro VR headset: What took us by surprise?
Interestingly, it wasn’t the price, despite its unexpectedly steep tag of $3499.
Although rumors had been swirling about a price tag around $3000, many were hopeful that “around” would lean towards less. The announced cost certainly took spectators aback.
What's genuinely astonishing is the implementation of a "brain-computer" link: the device gives an impression of being capable of reading the user's thoughts.
One of the creators of the gadget, Sterling Crispin, described the workings of this technology as follows:
Your pupil reacts before you click in part because you expect something will happen after you click. So you can create biofeedback with a user’s brain by monitoring their eye behavior, and redesigning the UI in real time to create more of this anticipatory pupil response. It’s a crude brain computer interface via the eyes, but very cool
The headset allows you to control several applications at once:
- Messaging;
- Telephone calls;
- Video conferencing;
- Watching movies in 3D;
- Photos;
- Online gaming.
These features are facilitated by sensors that recognize the user's eyes, voice, and hand movements.
Surprisingly, Apple has strayed from its tradition of tying to a supplier. The headset is compatible with Microsoft Office and Adobe Lightroom tools. This is likely a logical extension of allowing third-party apps on iOS, a step taken by Apple in the wake of widespread accusations of monopolistic behavior and a scandal with the Coinbase exchange.
Technical details of the Apple Vision Pro
Mike Rockwell, an engineer at Apple who supervised the headset's creation, believes that the Apple Vision Pro is much more than just a device for spatial applications. It's the foundation for creating a whole new platform and ideology of mixed reality.
At the moment, the company has yet to release detailed specifications for the headset's components. For now, we rely only on information from public sources.
Apple Vision Pro. Source: apple.com
- Reality OS, Apple's proprietary software, supports virtually all iPhone applications that have been tailored for augmented reality use. The software creates a digital avatar based on a facial scan of the user.
- The EyeSight display is placed on the exterior of the glasses, showing the user's eyes and providing insight into what the user is doing within the headset.
- The OpticID tool scans the user's retina for identification purposes, allowing for the keyboard to be unlocked.
- The Fit Dial feature provides a soft, adjustable headband made from breathable material.
- The device boasts a camera capable of capturing 3D photos and videos.
- Spatial Audio is the headset's sound system, which includes two speakers within the headphones to deliver a surround sound experience. It also scans the room and adjusts the audio according to the dimensions of the space.
- There's also an external battery.
- Infrared sensors are incorporated to track hand movements, even in low-light conditions.
- The display is a micro-OLED with a resolution of 23 million pixels.
- Materials used include multilayer glass and lightweight aluminum.
Based on feedback from early testers of Apple's VR glasses, the device is intuitively operated and ideal for viewing movies or for work. However, none of the testers could explain the 'spatial computing' principle put forth by Tim Cook, suggesting more information will become available later.
A commonly identified disadvantage was the limited battery life. The battery can only hold a charge for about two hours, insufficient for a full work meeting or game session.
The Gagarin News editorial team, however, opines that a two-hour meeting is too long and one hour is ample.
Some users also reported that the headset was heavier and bulkier than expected. This weight would seemingly compromise its portability, as it wouldn't easily fit into a handbag. It appears that maintaining the weight specified in the product launch (420g) proved to be a challenge.
When can we expect Apple Vision Pro to hit the shelves?
Apple has been in a competitive tussle with Google, Meta, and Microsoft over dominance in the mixed reality headset industry. And it seems Apple has managed to secure a significant lead. However, with a hefty price tag of $3499, it might struggle to maintain this edge.
There's a chance that the lackluster demand for this high-ticket item could lead the makers to introduce a more budget-friendly version, sans the "Pro" label that denotes a premium market segment.
Or perhaps we might see the same trend of 'year on year cost reduction' witnessed in Apple's smartphone range, applied to the Apple Vision Pro headset sales.
The developers assure us that Apple's VR glasses will hit the market in early next year, and pre-orders will be kicking off on the official website at the end of 2023.
