What you need to know about the Apple Vision Pro’s Eyesight feature and Persona Enrollment

M1 Astra / X

The Apple Vision Pro’s Eyesight feature lets you project your eyes on the front of the device, creating a more realistic and expressive VR experience. But this feature is not just for fun—at least, that's what we see from this video that surfaced on X detailing what else it can do. Eyesight supposedly also powers the Persona Enrollment feature, which allows you to customize and set up your virtual avatar via visionOS beta 6. 

The video posted by M1Astra on X shows how the front-facing cameras scan your face and capture your facial expressions to create a personalized VR persona. 

However, not everyone may want or need the Eyesight feature, which adds extra cost and complexity to the device. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is considering a cheaper version of the Vision Pro that would drop the external displays, cameras, and sensors, as well as use an iPhone chip instead of the MacBook chip. This would make the device more affordable and accessible, but also less immersive and interactive. 

If this version is in the works, we are left to wonder how Persona Enrollment would work on a headset like this. For now, what we are getting is the more premium US$3,500 (around CA$4,795) Vision Pro.

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Apple Vision Pro: Why you need to visit an Apple Store to get one

Apple

If you want to pick up Apple's Vision Pro headset, you'll need to head to an Apple Store to pick one up. The strategy is similar to how the company launched the original Apple Watch in 2015. When you pick it up at the store, you'll get to demo the new equipment. The in-store appointment also ensures you get a headset that fits you correctly. And if you need prescription lenses, Apple can offer that, too.

Apple plans to sell the Vision Pro for US$3,500 in limited quantities. The company is expected to roll out the Vision Pro first in major markets in the US like Los Angeles and New York.

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Apple to host secret training for staff on the Vision Pro

Apple

Apple is preparing retail staff for the Vision Pro launch in 2024. It invites them to apply for a secret training event in Cupertino early next year. There, they will learn about the product and how to sell it.

The memo says, "Selected team members will travel and participate in an event in Cupertino, California, at some point in the first months of 2024. Upon returning to their home store, they’ll deliver training and ongoing support to store team members." Applicants need to pass an interview and show passion for Apple products.

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A 'cheaper' Apple Vision Pro might be in the works

Apple

Apple may release a "cheaper" Vision Pro headset with fewer features and an iPhone chip instead of a Mac chip, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. He wrote in his Power On newsletter that this could lower the price between US$1,500-$2,500 (around CA$2,043-$3,405) for a budget model. Of course, that's still a premium price tag, but that's still less than its US$3,500 (CA$4,767) starting price.

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