Apple has finally introduced one of its major new products, the Augmented Reality (AR) headset named “Apple Vision Pro,” during its annual World Wide Developers Conference (WWC) after several years of creation.
“It’s the first Apple product you look through, and not at” – Tim Cook, Apple CEO.
The new augmented reality headgear will be available for $3,499 USD early next year. A display no longer limits you, as your surroundings are now a limitless canvas. The headset allows users to seamlessly integrate the physical and digital worlds, navigating them with their eyes, voice, and hands – no buttons or controls required.
Vision Pro comprises a single band on the back of the head that connects to a vast, sleek screen that lies over the eyes. The headset is powered by VisionOS, which Apple describes as “the world’s first spatial operating system.” Apple refers to it as ‘spatial computing’ since it integrates material into the environment around you. You may wirelessly connect your Mac to your Vision Pro by gazing at it. With a stunning 4K display, you can make your display as large as you wish.
Apple’s Technology Development Group vice president, Mike Rockwell, said, ‘Creating our first spatial computer required inventiveness across practically every area of the system.’Through a tight integration of hardware and software, we designed a standalone spatial computer in a compact wearable form factor that is the most advanced personal electronics device ever.’
Read also: Meta launches the Quest 3 VR headset
The major feature of the newly released Augmented Reality headset
Alan Dye, Apple’s human interface chief, stated that users would use their eyes to select content inside the goggles, tap their fingers together to click, and gently flick to scroll. In addition, unlike Meta’s Quest, which has an opaque visor, the EyeSight function displays everybody in the room your eyes.
When a user is totally engaged in a virtual world, the Vision Pro’s outer screen goes black, but it flashes signals when the gadget is in use, letting others know the person is in an AR environment. When an outsider approaches a user in full virtual reality, the headset displays both the user and the outsider. ‘You’re never alone with the people around you,’ Dye added. ‘They can see you, and you can see them.’
‘The design boasts an ultra-high-resolution display system that packs 23 million pixels over two screens, as well as custom Apple silicon in a unique dual-chip design ‘to guarantee every experience seems like it is taking place in front of the user’s eyes in real-time,’ Apple said on Monday.
The Vision Pro can be used for two hours with an external battery, which Apple claims will reduce the weight on the user’s head. However, the device must be connected to the grid or battery pack – no standalone use. According to Apple, Vision Pro has a three-dimensional camera and microphone system for capturing videos and photos that can be viewed in 3D afterwards.
For work, Apple showed how the headset could be used with a mouse and keyboard to work like a standard computer with various screens.
And using Vision Pro for FaceTime calls will free up your hands since the windows may be shown anywhere in the room, allowing you to move freely. ‘Apple Immersive Video delivers 180-degree high-resolution recordings with Spatial Audio, and consumers can access an intriguing selection of immersive films that take them to whole new worlds,’ Apple said.
Apple announces new privacy and security features for user safety
Apple touted its headset features ‘industry-leading privacy and security
The front display is made of laminated glass, which flows into a custom aluminium alloy frame that wraps softly over the user’s face. Apple touted its headset’s ‘industry-leading privacy and security’ to allow customers to maintain control over their data.
This is made possible by the new Optic ID, a secure authentication technology that analyses a user’s iris under different invisible LED light exposures before comparing it to the enrolled Optic ID data safeguarded by the Secure Enclave to enable Apple Vision Pro quickly.
According to Apple, ‘where a user looks remains private when navigating Apple Vision Pro, and eye tracking information is not shared with Apple, third-party applications, or websites. Furthermore, data from the camera and other sensors is processed at the system level, so individual applications are not required to view the user’s surroundings in order to provide spatial experiences.
