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Apple Vision Pro mr headset is now here VR
After its announcement in June 2023, Apple’s Vision Pro – the company’s first mixed reality (MR) headset – is officially on the market. Available since 2 February, the ‘spatial computer’ costs a hefty $3499 and is currently sold in the US only. Apple has historically been at the forefront of technological innovation, revolutionising computers with the Macintosh in 1984 and consumer electronics with the iPhone in 2007 and iPad in 2010. Now, Apple has entered the world of XR – a little late to the game (the Meta Quest has been out since 2019) but promising to be vital nonetheless. Operating on the new VisionOS, the headset goes beyond what’s been offered
up until now; with 3D cameras, hand and eye tracking and a built-in virtual keyboard, the wearable device seems straight out of a sci-fi novel. It’s supposed to blend the real world with the metaverse, letting users chat, work and watch content while going about their daily lives. That said, early reactions to the Vision Pro have been mixed. For starters, they pose a safety risk if used irresponsibly (while driving, crossing the street or getting on and off transport – anytime you might want to be paying attention, in short). More than that, many are concerned about the larger social and psychological consequences of XR headsets and virtual realities in general – what will the real
world look like in ten, 20 years if we allow the virtual world to dominate? The Vision Pro does have the chance to transform the way we consume. Content will no longer be at our fingertips; it will be a blink away, so to speak. ‘Immersive’ will take on a whole new meaning, as 3D movies could appear hyperreal. Reviewers have touted the headset’s image quality, especially the sharpness and saturation, though battery life is still limited to about the length of a feature film. Despite its dystopian appearance, it seems the Vision Pro is already catching on. Apple has yet to announce any international release dates, though it’s hinted at 2024 for the UK and Canada.
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