Apple Vision Pro – AR/VR Headset

Beginning of Spatial Computing Era

Spatial computing was defined in 2003 by Simon Greenwold, as “human interaction with a machine in which the machine retains and manipulates referents to real objects and spaces“.

Finally, it’s here! Long wait of almost 6 years is over now. Apple has launched its first VR AR Vision Pro headset. The conference held in Cupertino, California.

It is a great achievement of Apple 👍 Vision Pro is the result of advanced technology of apple to make a compact, elegant headset for the users to have a great experience whenever they wear them.

Cost is around $3,499 which is equivalent to 2,89000/- INR.

It will launch in early next year.

Features

• It has two OLED displays with 23 million pixels which is around 4k TV for each eye, Apple’s M2 chip, 12 cameras, 5 sensors, 6 microphones and popular voice assistant, Siri.
• It also has one R1 chip which runs parallelly with M2 chip to ensure that there is no lag.
• Vision Pro headset has two individually amplified drivers inside each audio path to power its personalized special audio.
• To switch between AR and VR the headset has similar crown found in Apple watch.
• Vision Pro will run on Apple’s new operating system -> VisionOS similar to ipad’s OS interface.
• The Operating System supports special computing. It is capable of running popular Apple applications like Facetime, books, camera, mail, contacts, maps, messages, music, notes, photos, safari and many others in mixed reality a blend of both AR and VR.
• Immersive video – it can be the biggest selling point of the device.
• Compatible with the existing third-party content to ease the continuity between your favorite applications and the headsets.
• Disney+ is available in headset by default.

How to use it

• If you’re already having glasses than headset lens will be adjusted to correct your vision. (Not sure how it will work when it is available online, how accurate adjustment will be done)
• It will be available in various size so that it will fit perfectly with your eyes and comfortable for your ears.
• To customize the spatial audio experience, you have to turn your head side to side.
• To set up Face Id just rotate your head in circle.
• It comes with very intuitive interface with eye and hand tracking.
• Icons/Menu option will be available on screen (which is in space in front of you) you just have to focus on the icon which you want to activate and vision pro will highlight that with the help of its accurate eye tracking mechanism.
• Press down digital crown to return back to home screen.
• To see photographs or to scroll photographs you just need to pinch your fingers and then wave your hand from right to left.

Benefits

• It has external battery backup which you can connect via cable and its size is almost similar to iPhone.
• Light weight design as compared to other AR VR headsets.
• It looks like goggles and have curved front.
• It is capable of running popular Apple applications as well and the apps will feel like as they are in our natural space and environment.
• Moving apps will give you a similar experience as you’re moving actual items around you.
• User will feel like as they are physically present in the space and a video is taking place.
• Using Vision Pro headset user can stream any movie and watch it as if it was played in a giant screen in any other environment such as space, beach etc.
• You can watch 3D movies or videos with great experience.
• Facetime digital experience will make you feel like as if you’re actually meeting a person.

Drawbacks

• Short battery life -> It only lasts for 2 hours with external battery backup.
• Price -> Its cost is around $3,499 which is a very high price.
• Audio -> As per the press release “Two individually amplified drivers inside each audio pod deliver Personalized Spatial Audio based on the user’s own head and ear geometry.”  Once, it is available for use i can comment in a better way, just have doubt on this for now.