Priced at US$3,499, the Apple Vision Pro is launching next month—what does it offer?
It’s official: Apple’s “spatial computer” Vision Pro will start accepting orders in February this year exclusively in the United States. Spatial computing involves the integration of the physical and digital worlds, allowing computers to understand and interact with the three-dimensional space around them.
Unlike traditional computing, which mainly operates in a two-dimensional space, spatial computing leverages sensors, cameras and technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to interpret the surrounding space and create a dynamic interface. This allows users to engage with digital content and move virtual objects overlaid in their immediate environment using natural gestures and movements.
Apple Vision Pro: The next frontier in immersive experiences?
In a press release, Apple broke down the different features that underline this computer. Apple Vision Pro runs on visionOS, drawing upon engineering developments from macOS, iOS and iPadOS. The foundation of visionOS facilitates spatial experiences for both work and home use. Its three-dimensional user interface and input system, controlled by the user’s eyes, hands and voice, offer a distinct navigation approach.
VisionPro’s intuitive gesture system includes gaze-based controls, finger taps for selection, wrist flicks for scrolling and flexible options for typing, either via a virtual keyboard or voice dictation. Siri integration further streamlines task management such as opening or closing apps and playing media.
Planning virtual escapes with the “Environments” feature
“Environments” in Vision Pro invites users to virtual landscapes, from national parks to the moon’s surface, to help them focus or declutter their space. With a twist of the Digital Crown, users can control their immersion level, expanding their experience beyond the physical room.
FaceTime takes a literal approach
On Apple Vision Pro, FaceTime makes everyone on the video call look life-size, and Spatial Audio makes it sound like each person’s voice is coming from their spot on the screen. If you wear Vision Pro during a FaceTime call, you show up as your “Persona”, while others on Mac, iPad or iPhone show up in tiles.
Persona is a real-time representation of your expressions and hand movements using Vision Pro. It takes just minutes to create using machine learning. Personas also works in other video apps like Zoom, Cisco Webex and Microsoft Teams.
Customizable fit for personalized comfort
Flexible straps ensure the audio is properly delivered to your ears.
Image courtesy of Apple
The Apple Vision Pro boasts a modular design for a customizable fit. Its main component, a gently curved piece of glass integrated into an aluminum alloy frame, is complemented by the Light Seal—a soft textile, available in various shapes and sizes, ensuring a precise fit.
Flexible straps enhance audio delivery, and there are options like the Solo Knit Band and Dual Loop Band for finding the best fit. For those who need vision correction, ZEISS Optical Inserts are available with a prescription or as readers that magnetically attach to Vision Pro, allowing users to make the most of the display’s sharpness and clarity.
Staying in the “EyeSight”: Being present in the real world while being online
The Apple Vision Pro has introduced EyeSight, a feature allowing people to look into your eyes even while using the device.
Image by Apple
The issue with being on your phone around people is that people often end up feeling neglected. The Apple Vision Pro attempts to address that issue (although we must admit, the imagery does not look very flattering). Apple has introduced a feature on Vision Pro called “EyeSight” to help users connect with others in the physical environment, even while engaged with the device. When someone wearing Vision Pro interacts with another person, the device becomes transparent, allowing both to see each other—in the eyes. This feature also visually indicates the user’s focus in various environments and applications.
Overall, the Vision Pro setup uses Apple Silicon in a dual-chip design. The M2 chip provides standalone performance, and the new R1 chip manages input from 12 cameras, five sensors and six microphones. This combination creates an immersive experience, making content feel like it’s right in front of the user’s eyes.
Why is Apple Vision Pro so expensive?
Priced at US$3,499—three times more expensive than Meta’s costliest VR/AR headset—the Vision Pro’s cost reflects its groundbreaking nature. Firstly, the spatial computer has quite a number of design complexities. Apple even had to scale down the production units of Vision Pro because of this. For instance, a major issue in making the device was creating defect-free micro-OLED displays. Apple was not happy with the current production yield.
Secondly, designing the Vision Pro involved a lot of firsts for Apple. It had to create new technologies like the R1 chip. To put things in perspective, Apple filed over 5,000 patents while developing Vision Pro.
Its scarcity also plays a role in its pricing. The Vision Pro is being assembled in China, with efforts ramped up to ensure it would be ready to debut come February. The Chinese manufacturer Luxshare is the only assembler of the device and plans on making less than 400,000 units of the Vision Pro.
Wrapping up
When it comes to selling new devices, Apple has not been having a great time. It faced three consecutive quarters of sales decline last year, and the iPhone 15 Pro did little to cushion the blow as users complained about overheating.
We don’t know if the upcoming Vision Pro would be its saving grace—especially with the price point. However, Apple remains optimistic about the device’s ability to transform computers.
Also read:
- iPhone 15: Peeling Back Layers of the New Apple of Our Eye
- Apple Is (Definitely, Maybe) Upgrading Its AirPods—Here’s What You Need to Know
- Apple’s Freeform: An All-In-One Collaboration Tool or Another Mediocre Drawing Board?
Header Image by Apple
