This year the “one more thing” marks a historic moment in the wearable industry. After 7 years of development, Apple introduces its first mixed-reality headset: Apple Vision Pro.
The device is based on an aluminum frame. The entire front of the product is a singular piece of three-dimensional formed and laminated glass with a wide array of cameras and sensors. Two main cameras provide high-resolution video to the display while downward cameras, IR illuminators, and side cameras enable precise head and hand tracking. To complete the AR, experience a LiDAR scanner and TrueDepth cameras perform real-time 3D mapping of the surrounding environments.
The device fits a new micro-OLED Apple silicon backplane that fits 64 pixels in the space of a single iPhone pixel. Thanks to that, the device reaches 23 million pixels across two panels delivering a better resolution of a 4K display on each eye. Along with that, Vision Pro has an innovative array of IR cameras and LEDs that project invisible light patterns onto the user’s eyes enabling responsive and intuitive inputs.
A clickable button, positioned on top of the frame, allows users to capture spatial photos and video while a digital crown controls the immersion levels of environments.
The back of the product is a combination of soft, textile parts that provide comfort and wearability. This flexible strap is 3D knitted as a single piece that creates a unique rib structure that provides cushioning, breathability, and stretch keeping the device safely in front of your eyes. On the side, there are new innovative audio pods that remain close to your ears and deliver an immersive audio experience.
Vision Pro features an entirely new Spatial Audio system where the sound is delivered through the integrated dual-driver audio pods. This allows the creation of ambient spatial audio where people perceive the sound coming from the surrounding environment with an immersive fidelity and sense of immersion.
To run the entire system, Vision Pro uses an Apple silicon M2 paired with a new R1 chip, which processes real-time sensor information. This setup allows to process of inputs from 12 cameras, 5 sensors, and six microphones altogether reducing latency between sensors and display avoiding any motion discomfort.
Along with new technological breakthroughs, Apple established new standards in the spatial computing industry. An example is the new feature called “EyeSight” which uses a front-facing display to reveal your eyes to other people in the room. Thanks to an initial facial scan, a representation of you is created and displayed on the curved glass.
To turn this product into reality, Apple teamed up with 3 companies:
With this new product, Apple opens the door of “spatial computing” where users will not be limited to operating in 2D space, but they will be able to take advantage of the surrounding environment. Vision Pro is set to co-exist and enhance the experience of the existing Apple products. For example, users can bring a version of their Mac desktop over, projected out in front of them, and interact with the elements using gestures, eyes, or traditional inputs like a keyboard.
Apple Vision Pro will be available early next year with a price point of 3,499$. Themcompany is expected to sell around 900.000 units in the first year.
