Zoom's Apple Vision Pro app shows facial expressions via digital avatars

Image: Zoom

Zoom is introducing innovative features for Vision Pro headset users, including the use of the Apple headset's Persona feature. Persona lets you create lifelike digital avatars that mirror facial expressions and hand movements in real-time.

You can present yourself as your dynamic Personas during Zoom and FaceTime calls. So, even if you aren't using a traditional webcam, they'll get to see your reactions. Zoom is among the first major third-party apps to leverage this cutting-edge technology, with Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex slated to follow suit.

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Apple's mixed-reality headset might use a magnetic cable for its external power supply

This power bank might be what the Apple mixed-reality headset's power supply will look like (Photo: Apple)

Apple's rumoured mixed-reality headset is expected at WWDC 2023. And we're getting more details ahead of its launch. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman shared more about the external power supply the headset comes with. The power supply is offloaded from the headset because it'll help prevent overheating and make it lighter. Gurman reports the "Reality Pro/Reality One" headset will have two ports: a USB-C interface for data transfers and a "new proprietary charging connector." It features a round tip that magnetically attaches to the headset. You would supposedly need to rotate it to lock the cable in place. From this description, it looks like it's reminiscent of the MagSafe power port. 

The power supply will reportedly be the size of an iPhone and look similar to Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack. It can reportedly power the headset for up to two hours on a single charge. You will recharge it via a USB-C cable connected to a MacBook Pro power adapter. Gurman believes Apple will offer an option to buy additional packs to extend its battery life.

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Apple's mixed reality headset might debut this spring

Apple might be ready to launch its long-rumoured mixed reality headset soon. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that the headset will debut this spring ahead of the Worldwide Developers Conference in June and will start shipping in the fall.

The headset is expected to cost as much as US$3,000, offering both virtual and augmented reality experiences using Apple's new xrOS operating system. Apple has reportedly shown off this Reality Pro-branded device to a "small number of high-profile" developers, so there will be third-party apps for it. But there are still "many kinks to work out" on the device, Gurman claims. And this has slowed down the development of other Apple projects and products.

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Apple reportedly renames realityOS to xrOS

With rumours of its mixed reality headset coming soon, Apple has reportedly changed up the name of the operating system it's going to run on. Instead of going by realityOS—as it's been called in the past seven years—it now goes by xrOS. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported about the change in his weekly Power On newsletter. The change to "xr" supposedly makes it easier for Apple to signal that it isn't just working on augmented or virtual reality. Instead, it's pursuing that true mixed-reality experience. It would also be easier to market globally, since some may have trouble translating the word reality into the local language. It would also still fit into how the company names its different platforms.

Apple has reportedly filed applications in several countries for the name. This a sign that Apple is locking in the brand name for the final product. The mixed reality headset it's working in will reportedly launch in 2023.