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Apple, the American tech giant, made a groundbreaking announcement on Monday. The company introduced its latest mixed-reality (VR/AR) headset, the Apple Vision Pro. The Cupertino-based company believes that this device could transform our interaction with digital content by seamlessly merging it with the real world.
Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, expressed excitement about this new era of computing which he described as 'spatial computing.' Cook said, "Apple Vision Pro introduces us to spatial computing, unlike anything created before. It unlocks incredible experiences for our users and exciting new opportunities for our developers."
Welcome to the era of spatial computing with Apple Vision Pro. You’ve never seen anything like this before! pic.twitter.com/PEIxKNpXBs
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) June 5, 2023
According to the company, the new Apple Vision Pro is the most advanced personal electronics device ever, featuring a dual-chip architecture with custom M2 Apple silicon and a dedicated R1 chipset for real-time sensor processing. Its ultra-high-resolution display system offers an immersive experience with 23 million pixels across two displays.
The design of the Apple Vision Pro combines cutting-edge materials and advanced technologies to achieve exceptional performance, mobility, and comfort. It features a compact, three-dimensionally formed laminated glass as an optical surface, housing cameras and sensors. The aluminium alloy frame gently curves around the user's face, and the modular system ensures a customised fit. Flexible straps and a headband provide cushioning, breathability, and stretch for added comfort.
VisionOS, the operating system powering the Apple Vision Pro, was meticulously designed to meet the low-latency requirements of spatial computing. It introduces a three-dimensional interface that integrates digital content seamlessly into the user's physical world. Users can navigate and interact with spatial content using natural inputs such as their eyes, hands, and voice. The EyeSight feature ensures visual cues and transparency when interacting with others.
For entertainment, the Apple Vision Pro offers dual ultra-high-resolution displays that transform any space into a personal movie theatre, providing a wide-screen experience. The advanced Spatial Audio system enhances immersion by surrounding users with sound. It offers a wide range of captivating entertainment options, from three-dimensional movies to Apple Arcade games.
The device allows users to create immersive environments that extend beyond physical boundaries, helping them focus or declutter busy spaces. With a simple twist of the Digital Crown, users can control their level of presence and immersion within these environments.
The Apple Vision Pro's three-dimensional camera takes capturing memories to a new level. Users can relive special moments with Spatial Audio, accessing their photo library on iCloud and viewing photos and videos at a life-size scale.
FaceTime also gets an upgrade with the Apple Vision Pro. Calls utilise the user's surroundings, with participants appearing in life-size tiles and Spatial Audio creating a sense of realistic positioning. Users wearing Vision Pro during a FaceTime call are represented by a digital persona that mirrors their face and hand movements in real-time, enabling shared activities like watching a movie together or collaborating on a presentation.
The App Store for Apple Vision Pro offers a wide range of apps and content from developers, including optimised versions of familiar iPhone and iPad apps. Apple encourages developers to leverage the unique capabilities of Vision Pro and visionOS to create new app experiences and reimagine existing ones for spatial computing.
In terms of security, the headset features Optic ID, a secure authentication system that analyses the user's iris using invisible LED light exposures. User data is encrypted and stored securely on the device, inaccessible to apps, never leaving the device. The company claims that user privacy is maintained even during navigation and users' eye-tracking data is not shared with anyone, including Apple.
The Apple Vision Pro will be available early next year on the official Apple website and in US Apple Store locations, priced at $3,499. International availability will follow later in the year. Customers can explore, experience, and personalise their fit for Vision Pro at Apple Store locations.