VisionPro , is the name of the new mixed reality headset from Apple, which was presented yesterday as part of the
WWDC23 keynote was presented. The associated operating system is called
visions . But besides the software, there are other interesting details regarding the device. It is quite handy and light, but there is a lot of technology in it. Two Apple-designed chips, multiple cameras, a LiDAR scanner, microphones, speakers, three displays, and more. The runtime of the external battery, which is given as two hours, is somewhat disappointing. I have summarized everything else you need to know about the Apple Vision Pro here.
Apple has introduced the Vision Pro Headset. A total of 5.000 patents have been filed for this innovative device. In addition to the impressive technical equipment, the possibilities under visionOS and the cooperation with Disney and Unity, there are also disadvantages, such as the price and the battery life of only 2 hours. Apple Vision Pro Specifications
Apple has not yet published a detailed Vision Pro data sheet. That's why there is no official information on the dimensions and weight. However, you can estimate the dimensions if you place the headset via AR (e.g. with the iPhone or iPad) on a surface with known dimensions. Later more. In yesterday's presentation, however, technical details about the headset were not entirely left out. Here are the known technical data of the Apple Vision Pro:
Body: A single piece of three-dimensionally formed and laminated glass merges into a rounded aluminum alloy body. The sound bands with the speakers, to which the headband is attached, extend from this.
Size: ??
Weight: ???
Operating system: visionOS
Protection of the system: The new Optic ID for personalized access after measuring the iris is used here instead of Face ID or Touch ID.
Physical controls: On the case there is a button and a digital crown, both known from the Apple Watch.
Operation of system and Apps : eye movements, gestures, voice control
Displays inside: There is a resolution of more than 4K per eye. A total of 23 million pixels are to be realized with microOLED technology. A three-part lens is used for each eye.
Cameras inside: 4 infrared cameras that register the user's eye movements.
Glasses replacement: The headset lies over the eye area so that glasses cannot be used. Special Zeiss lenses with the individual eye strength should be used. These are installed with a magnetic bracket and certainly cost a lot of money. So maybe use contact lenses instead.
Display outside: Curved OLED display that shows users' eyes when conversing with other people. But it can also indicate that you are currently busy.
Cameras outside: 10 cameras looking forward, sideways and down. Two of them are TrueDepth cameras.
Sensor outside: LiDAR scanner
Audio: Speakers on the headband of the headset that are intended to provide 3D audio (Spacial Audio) and multiple microphones for voice control, phone calls, FaceTime, etc. Bluetooth headphones such as AirPods can be paired.
Comfort: Both the light blocker and the woven headband with adjustment mechanism for fixation on the head are designed to offer individual comfort. Since the whole thing is modular, different sizes can be used to ensure the ideal hold.
SoC: M2 chip for computing processes, graphics, audio and visionOS functions
Sensor chip: R1 for real-time calculation of camera and sensor data
Power supply: The braided cable of the battery, which lasts up to two hours, is fixed to the headset with a snap-in and rotating mechanism. Third-party batteries or power banks don't stand a chance here (for the time being). It is still unclear whether the battery or headset can be connected to the power supply for stationary use (at the desk, on the couch, etc.).
Price: The Apple Vision Pro starts at $3.499.
Availability: From early 2024 and initially only in the USA; throughout the year in other countries as well.
Use Apple Vision Pro for work
"
A new era of computers begins today ' said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. "
Just as the Mac introduced personal computing and the iPhone introduced mobile computing, the Apple Vision Pro introduced spatial computing. Building on decades of Apple innovation, the Vision Pro is years ahead of and unlike anything created before — with a revolutionary new input system and thousands of groundbreaking innovations. It enables incredible experiences for our users and exciting new possibilities for our developers. "
This is what the home screen of visionOS (currently) looks like. On the left you can switch to contacts and media (photos and videos). But there are also pre-installed programs, a dedicated visionOS App Store and the option of using iPad, iPhone and Mac apps on the Vision Pro headset.
One of the areas of application for the new and innovative device can be summed up as "work". Because there are suitable solutions for collaborating with others, for presenting content and for editing documents, AR objects, 3D environments and the like. The visionOS operating system can be used with numerous iPad and iPhone apps and access a separate app store with apps specially developed for the headset. Whether it's a Word document or a virtually simulated production line, everything should be possible. If you look at the Mac with the AR glasses, the screen can be transferred to the virtual room, along with the local programs.
The Apple Vision Pro at work. Use Apple Vision Pro in your free time
With the headset, you can view photos and videos, exchange messages, plan your vacation via Safari, maps and travel apps, use software for meditation or fitness, etc. You can do all of this with virtual elements that are placed in your own four walls , realize. However, virtual environments can also be used. "
Creating our first spatial computer required ingenuity in almost every facet of the system said Mike Rockwell, vice president of Apple's Technology Development Group. "
Through tight integration of hardware and software, we have developed a self-contained spatial computer that is compact and portable. It is the most advanced personal electronic device ever. "
Did you take a panoramic photo with your iPhone or iPad? With the Apple Vision Pro you can virtually return to the location of the recording by viewing it in its original size. FaceTime avatars are better than the meta nonsense
Hardly anything is heard about it anymore
Metaverse from Facebook, right? One of the reasons for this could be that the previous demos and presentations were all extremely bad. Without using the word "metaverse" or allusions to it, Apple presented the face scan with the Vision Pro yesterday. Once your own face has been scanned, it can be used in animated form for FaceTime. In this way, FaceTime calls can be made with the Vision Pro without the glasses being displayed upside down. And that looked a hundred times better in the demo than the cartoon avatars in Facebook's Metaverse.
3D avatars can be created in advance for FaceTime. If the other person also uses a Vision Pro headset, the avatar is displayed in 3D with the appropriate depth. Use Apple Vision Pro for multimedia and games
Films can be played on large screens either in your own four walls, in a virtual cinema or in other virtual environments. For certain films, series and documentaries, special virtual worlds are offered that match the respective content. In addition, 3D content can be viewed as such. At home, spatial audio is realized via the built-in loudspeakers. AirPods can be used on the go, for example on an airplane. For gaming, there are not only the Apple Arcade games on the Vision Pro headset right from the start, but also other game libraries and individual offers. These come z. B. from Disney and from the Unity environment.
A controller (Xbox or PlayStation) can be paired for games from the App Store and Apple Arcade that have more complex controls. Apple's collaborations with Disney and Unity
As part of the WWDC23
Keynote Apple announced several collaborations. Not only has Hideo Kojima himself announced the release of his games on the Mac, the collaboration with Disney and Unity has been announced for the Vision Pro headset. Accordingly, Disney+ will be available on visionOS from day one. In addition to 2D content and 3D films, there will be immersive documentaries, game content and interactive AR applications. Apps and games created with Unity run natively on the headset and can be controlled with eye and hand gestures. They can also be run and used at the same time as other apps in the field of view.
In addition to 3D films and documentaries and AR applications for the virtual Disneyland parade in your own four walls, Marvel content that could be a game was also shown. In addition to Disney, Apple is also working with Unity to run the apps natively on the headset. Use Apple Vision Pro for 3D photos and videos?
Another use that was presented is taking photos and videos with the Vision Pro headset. The various cameras and sensors can even be used to create 3D content. For example, the recording of children playing through the use of the headset was shown. However, this looks extremely strange and unnatural. Who wants to strap on AR glasses like this to take photos and videos while playing in the garden or at a family party? But maybe I'm wrong and you get used to it, like video cameras, camcorders, digital cameras and finally smartphones, which have also become normal over the years.
Taking family photos and videos with a headset? Looks (still) pretty unnatural. Buy Apple Vision Pro: price and availability
The basic version of the Apple Vision Pro is priced at $3.499. However, there can be additional costs here, for example for additional batteries, for the special Zeiss glasses as a replacement for glasses, for different headbands and so on. I can imagine that more than 5.000 dollars will be due depending on the equipment. Euro prices are not yet known, because the device will only be available in the USA at the beginning of 2024. Further markets are to be opened up in the course of the year.
Official video presentation of the mixed reality headset
You can watch the introductory video for the Apple Vision Pro headset with visionOS, which lasts just over nine minutes
here watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX9qSaGXFyg
The entire WWDC23 keynote as a video
The full WWDC23 keynote showcasing the 2-inch M15 MacBook Air, Mac Studio and Mac Pro with M2 Ultra, iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 14 Sonoma and watchOS 10 operating systems, and home and You can find audio systems
here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYkq9Rgoj8E
More sources for the new Apple device
Conclusion on the new device from Apple
In the run-up it was rumored that the Vision Pro would follow the same path as the Apple Watch. First of all, all possible applications should be thrown onto the market in order to find out over time which niche the headset can really cover. While everything seems possible with the device, it seems that Apple has made an effort to cover certain areas of application. There is a lot of good in the entertainment and media sectors in particular; However, VR gaming is not there yet. I'm looking forward to the first test reports in the coming year and to further developments.
iPad Air (1st Gen) and Thunderbolt Display are obsolete, iPad (5th Gen) is vintage
