Apple Vision Pro: The eyes of the future

The Apple Vision Pro represents a significant AR/VR technology advancement. Its seamless blend of mixed reality experiences, powerful hardware, and extensive app ecosystem make it a compelling offering in the market.

Reuters

Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks under an image of Apple Vision Pro at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, U.S. June 5, 2023.

Apple Vision Pro: The eyes of the future

Abdel-Rahman Ayas

last update on 15 Jun 2023

The world of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) has witnessed remarkable advancements in recent years, with companies like Apple, Meta (formerly Facebook), and other tech giants driving the innovation.

The Apple Vision Pro, an advanced AR/VR headset developed by Apple Inc., marked a major milestone in this landscape. What are the device’s specifications? How does it compare with the offerings of Meta and other tech giants? What are its pros and cons?

The Apple Vision Pro is an all-in-one headset designed to offer users a seamless and immersive mixed-reality experience. Built upon Apple’s cutting-edge technologies, the device combines high-quality displays, spatial audio, and powerful processing capabilities to deliver stunning visuals and realistic sound.

Differing approaches

The Apple Vision Pro was announced a few days after Meta Quest 3 was revealed this month – Meta Quest 1 was launched in 2019. When they officially launch, the latter in Autumn and the former early next year, we’ll finally have the chance to fully compare these highly anticipated headsets.

These headsets differ in their approach. The Apple Vision Pro is a true mixed-reality headset, designed to enable what Apple calls “spatial computing.” It seamlessly interacts with the physical world, keeping users engaged through its EyeSight feature.

The Apple Vision Pro headset is displayed in a showroom on the Apple campus in Cupertino, Calif., after its introduction at the annual developers' conference on Monday, June 5, 2023.

In contrast, the Meta Quest 3 targets VR enthusiasts, while also offering mixed reality capabilities through full-colour passthrough. By default, it functions as a VR headset, but it has additional AR functionalities. Notably, the Meta Quest 3 comes at a more affordable price point of $499, whereas the Vision Pro is priced at $3,499.

The Apple Vision Pro seamlessly interacts with the physical world, keeping users engaged through its EyeSight feature, while the Meta Quest 3 offers mixed reality capabilities through full-colour passthrough. Notably, the Meta Quest 3 comes at a more affordable price point of $499, whereas the Vision Pro is priced at $3,499.

While the Apple Vision Pro and Microsoft HoloLens (first announced in 2015) both provide immersive AR experiences, they adopt different approaches. The HoloLens targets enterprise applications such as industrial training and remote assistance.

On its part, the Vision Pro focuses on consumer-oriented use cases, benefiting from Apple's extensive ecosystem of apps, potentially providing a more diverse range of experiences.

Although both the Apple Vision Pro and Google Glass (launched two years ago and due to be discontinued later this year due to poor sales) are AR devices, they serve different purposes.

Google Glass is a lightweight wearable primarily focused on notifications and hands-free access to information, while the Vision Pro offers a comprehensive AR experience with robust hardware and a wider range of applications.

Advanced audio and displays

The Apple Vision Pro boasts high-resolution OLED displays, providing an expansive field of view for vivid visuals and an immersive AR/VR experience. Advanced audio technologies integrated into the device offer spatial sound, enhancing overall immersion and audio realism.

The Apple Vision Pro headset is displayed in a showroom on the Apple campus after its unveiling on Monday, June 5, 2023, in Cupertino, Calif.

The Vision Pro is equipped with Apple's custom-designed chips, delivering exceptional processing capabilities for seamless multitasking and real-time rendering. Precise motion tracking and environmental sensors enable accurate position tracking and object recognition, contributing to a more interactive and immersive experience.

The Vision Pro leverages intuitive gesture controls, voice commands, and eye-tracking technology, enabling seamless interaction and enhancing usability.

The Vision Pro leverages intuitive gesture controls, voice commands, and eye-tracking technology, enabling seamless interaction and enhancing usability.

The Vision Pro will be available in early 2024 in the United States only. Other countries will follow later. Apple hasn't disclosed when you can preorder Vision Pro, but further details are expected soon.

High-end AR/VR devices like the Vision Pro often come at a high cost, limiting their accessibility to a broader audience. While Apple's app ecosystem is vast and diverse, users are limited to the offerings within the Apple ecosystem. This may limit the availability of certain apps or experiences compared to more open platforms.

AR/VR devices typically consume significant power, and the Vision Pro may face challenges in providing extended battery life. This could impact the user experience, especially for longer immersive sessions.

AFP — Apple's new Vision Pro virtual reality headset is displayed during Apple's worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, on June 5, 2023.

The future of AR/VR technology is expected to bring significant advancements in terms of hardware capabilities, software features, and user experiences. This may include improvements in display technology, resolution, field of view, and tracking accuracy, resulting in more immersive and realistic AR/VR experiences.

The future of AR/VR

As the technology matures, the range of applications for AR/VR devices like the Apple Vision Pro is likely to expand. While gaming and entertainment are prominent use cases, we can expect increased adoption in fields such as education, healthcare, design, architecture, remote collaboration, and industrial training.

The Vision Pro may offer innovative ways to interact with digital content and provide valuable tools for professionals and consumers alike.

AR/VR devices typically consume significant power, and the Vision Pro may face challenges in providing extended battery life. This could impact the user experience, especially for longer immersive sessions.

AR/VR devices can leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies to enhance user experiences. These technologies can enable more accurate object recognition, real-time scene understanding, and intelligent content recommendations.

Integration with AI/ML can unlock new possibilities for the Apple Vision Pro, making it smarter and more capable in various contexts.

Over time, AR/VR devices are likely to become more compact, lightweight, and comfortable to wear. This could involve advancements in display technologies, battery efficiency, and the miniaturisation of sensors and processing components. Smaller and more ergonomic designs can contribute to wider adoption and improved usability of devices like the Vision Pro.

A robust ecosystem

Apple's robust ecosystem and developer support are instrumental in the success of its products. The future of the Apple Vision Pro may involve an expanding ecosystem of AR/VR applications, tools, and resources for developers. This can foster innovation and creativity, leading to a broader range of experiences and functionalities for users.

Apple has a history of integrating its devices and services seamlessly. The Vision Pro may see further integration with other Apple products, such as iPhones, iPads, Macs, and services like Apple Music, Apple TV, and iCloud. This integration can enhance cross-platform experiences and offer a more cohesive ecosystem for users.

AFP — Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks with members of the media next to Apple's new Vision Pro virtual reality headset, during Apple痴 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, on June 5, 2023.

It's important to note that these points are speculative and based on the trajectory of AR/VR technology as a whole. The future of the Apple Vision Pro will depend on Apple's strategic decisions, technological advancements, market demand, and competition within the AR/VR landscape.

To get accurate and detailed insights into the future of the Apple Vision Pro, referring to official announcements and updates from Apple as they become available is a must.

The Vision Pro may see further integration with other Apple products, such as iPhones, iPads, Macs, and services like Apple Music, Apple TV, and iCloud.

While facing competition from Meta and other tech giants, each device brings unique strengths and focuses on different AR/VR spectrum aspects.

The success of Vision Pro will ultimately depend on its ability to deliver on its promises and provide compelling experiences that resonate with consumers and developers alike. As the industry continues to evolve, the Apple Vision Pro is a testament to the exciting possibilities of augmented and virtual reality technologies.

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