A new chapter in the history of computing unfolded at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2023). The tech giant announced the Apple Vision Pro, an innovative augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) headset that looks set to redefine the personal computing landscape.
Dubbed by Apple as a "new kind of computer," the Vision Pro brings to life a unique blend of Apple's operating systems—iOS, MacOS, and TVOS—in a wearable format. The Vision Pro, priced at $3,499, is slated to start shipping early next year, and it promises to offer an immersive computing experience like never before.
A Vision for the Future
At first glance, the Vision Pro seems akin to other AR and VR headsets on the market. But Apple's distinct touch is immediately evident in the design details and the underlying technology. The headset's glass front conceals cameras and a curved OLED outer display. The Vision Pro is secured to the wearer's head with a wide rear band and a cable-connected external battery pack, intended to be stowed away in your pocket.
A key design feature is the large Apple Watch-style digital crown on the right side of the headset. This crown allows you to dial your immersion in the outside world in and out, enabling a smooth transition between the digital and physical realities.
Pushing the Boundaries of Personal Computing
The Vision Pro is packed with cutting-edge technology that pushes the boundaries of what we can expect from personal computing devices. It comes with three-element lenses that enable 4K resolution, while audio pods embedded within the band sit over your ears, delivering high-quality audio to complement the visual experience.
Adding to the immersive experience, Apple has incorporated "audio ray tracing" that maps sound to your position, creating a 3D sound environment. The headset also boasts a suite of lidar and other sensors on the bottom of the headset to track hand and body motions, making interaction with the digital world more intuitive.
Power at the Core
Under the hood, the Vision Pro is a powerhouse. It features an M2 chip found on Apple's highest-end computers, combined with a new R1 chip. This R1 chip handles all the other headset inputs from 12 cameras, five sensors, and six microphones, and feeds them to the M2 chip. This coordinated processing helps reduce lag and ensures new images are delivered to displays within an impressive 12 milliseconds.
The Vision Pro runs the new VisionOS, which uses iOS frameworks, a 3D engine, and other software tricks to make what Apple calls "the first operating system designed from the ground up for spatial computing."
Not Just for Entertainment
Apple envisions the Vision Pro to be more than just an entertainment device. Pitched as a work-from-home and travel device, the headset essentially lets you open as many windows as you want, offering a new level of multitasking. It can also work as a display for Macs and supports Apple's Magic Keyboard and Trackpad devices.
The Vision Pro represents Apple's venture into the world of 3D cameras. It can take spatial photos, providing 3D depth with binaural audio to experience moments with more immersion. This spatial experience extends to movies and other multimedia, offering an experience that's "impossible to represent on a 2D screen."
Apple's Vision Pro is a bold step into the future of computing. The cutting-edge technology, combined with Apple's design prowess and ecosystem, makes it a compelling prospect for anyone interested in personal computing. As we await its arrival next year, the Vision Pro promises to open up a new era of immersive, personal computing.
