In an attempt to redefine how we interact with the digital world, Apple has finally lifted the lid on its first augmented reality (AR) device (and worst-kept secret in tech), the Apple Vision Pro.
Looking like a pair of ski goggles with undeniable Apple sheen, this gadget is more than just a pretty face (but how it looks on yours, is debatable). It’s Apple’s most futuristic-launch in years, and one it hopes will change the game when it comes to interacting with technology.
Now, don’t let that ski-goggle-like exterior fool you. This AR headset is packed with high-tech features; the aluminum frame hides five sensors, 12 cameras, two displays, a digital crown, and not one but two high-power chips.
Apple also ditched the clunky controllers of its AR competitors; instead, it can track your hand movements — think of tapping your fingers together to open and close apps and waving your wrist to swipe. It’s as intuitive as scratching your nose (not that you’ll be able to under that mask).
Apple has long tauted its spacial audio on the AirPods – and do so once again here. The Vision Pro promises a better audio experience thanks to dual drivers built directly into the headband.
Expect Apple’s goggles to do pretty much anything your iPhone, iPad or Mac can do. The whole Apple suite of apps is here, that lets you multitask via projected digital screens. You’ll also be able to watch sports from inside the stadium (so to speak), play games that take over your entire living room, and watch films from inside the world you’re watching (one demo saw an episode of the Mandalorian being enjoyed from inside an X-Wing).
And to make it a tad less scary when you’re “plugged-in” Apple also included a clever see-through type feature, that would make the screen see-through when someone approaches you mid-experience.
It has 3D chops too; it can take 3D photos via the two front-mounted cameras, and even scan your face and create a semi-realistic virtual avater for video calls.
However, with a price tag of US$3,500, one has to wonder: how many people will splurge on a device that costs as much as a secondhand car? And can Apple convince us all that wearing a ski mask in public is the next big thing, just as they did with the ubiquitous white earbuds?
Only time will tell if the Vision Pro is a game-changer or just another shiny gadget in Apple’s tech toy box. But if history is any indication, Apple may just pull it off.