What you need to know about the Apple Vision Pro

Photo: Apple

Apple has finally unveiled its long-awaited headset, the Apple Vision Pro. The device, which will cost USD 3,500 (around CAD 4,700) and go on sale early next year, is the first Apple product you look through, rather than look at, according to CEO Tim Cook. It combines virtual reality and augmented reality in a sleek and lightweight design that can connect to a Mac and be used as a productivity screen, a TV, or a gaming platform.

The Vision Pro has a glass front and an aluminum frame that attaches to a soft, adjustable headband. It also has a thin cable that connects to a small external battery pack (which is said to last for around two hours). The device can accommodate glasses wearers with custom optical inserts from Zeiss that magnetically fit inside the display.

One of the key features of the Vision Pro is EyeSight. It lets you control how much of the real world you see through the display. You can use a digital crown, similar to the one on the Apple Watch, to adjust the opacity from fully transparent to fully opaque. This allows you to switch between augmented reality and virtual reality modes, and see what's happening outside beyond this headset.

Photo: Apple

The Vision Pro is designed to be both a work and entertainment device. You can wirelessly and automatically connect it to your Mac and use it as a desktop computer with more interactive features. You can also use it as a portable cinema or gaming device with immersive 3D graphics and sound. You can interact with the Vision Pro using hand gestures, eye movements, and voice commands. 

The device uses LiDAR, a TrueDepth camera, and many other sensors and cameras to track your movements and environment. It also has an M2 chip and a new R1 chip that process all the data from 12 cameras, five sensors, and six microphones in real-time.

The Apple Vision Pro also creates your "persona," a 3D capture of your face that appears in FaceTime calls and other virtual interactions. This headset's 3D camera can record 3D video that you can watch later on the headset.

Photo: Apple

The device runs on visionOS, a new operating system that handles all the hardware and software requirements of the headset. And it supports apps that you can install from a new visionOS app store. You can also use existing Apple apps like Messages and Safari in new ways, such as viewing 3D objects from messages.

Apple has partnered with Disney to make Disney+ available on the Vision Pro at launch. You can watch Disney content in 3D and interact with Disney characters like Mickey Mouse in augmented reality.

There is no word yet when the Apple Vision Pro will make its way to Canada. But we're waiting for any updates.

Source