Apple presented its very first mixed reality headset on the WWDC 2023 stage this Monday, June 5, and in particular the many uses designed by the brand’s engineers.
The insistent rumor that had been buzzing for several years is now a reality. Apple has finally unveiled the Apple Vision Pro, its first mixed reality headset.
An augmented reality headset that doesn’t hide your gaze
The brand did not skimp on the means, nor the time spent, to present this first member of a new family of products down to the smallest detail, starting with the design which, surprisingly, had not leaked until Today.
You could compare the Apple Vision Pro to ski goggles, or the helmet used by the players in the film. Ready Player One. It feels both lighter and less intrusive than many VR headsets available today.
The visor, for starters, differs from a virtual reality headset, like the Meta Quest 3. It is made of 3D glass. The gaze of the user is visible to other people in the room if he wishes to avoid a form of isolation. This feature will automatically activate when the headset detects other people in the room. Apple never speaks of VR, but of augmented reality, the possibility of seeing virtual elements in its close space, such as its living room for example.
Buttons for photo and video capture are present, as well as a digital crown, the same as on the Apple Watch, for adjusting the helmet. Vents are present at the bottom of the device to evacuate the heat produced by wearing the helmet. The optics attach themselves magnetically to the helmet, to change them more easily, and were designed in collaboration with Zeiss.
The strap is made of mesh fabric, an unsurprising choice since it more or less uses the same lines as the one used on the AirPods Max headphones. This same fabric is also used around the eyes.
As announced by many rumors, the battery is not integrated into the helmet, but connected by a wire, and must be hung on the belt or placed in a pocket. This cord on the leg is not the most elegant, but guarantees the lightness of the accessory on the head to avoid pain during long sessions of use. It attaches magnetically to the helmet, and provides two hours of use. The device can also be permanently connected to a power source, for example for use in your sofa.
Adaptive displays, spatial audio, and two processors to top it all off
MicroOLED screens have 23 million pixels, that’s more than a 4K television screen. In the helmet there are proximity and infrared sensors, as well as the TrueDepth cameras of the iPhone to analyze the depth.
For sound, Apple has integrated speakers compatible with Spatial Audio into the Apple Vision Pro. Different sensors make it possible to analyze the sound in the room to optimize the experience and make it, once again, more immersive.
The Apple Vision Pro is equipped with two chips, the M2 chip that Mac users are already familiar with, and a new chip, R1, which manages the various sensors and cameras, and is responsible for eliminating latency for a user experience with small onions.
An interface usable by gestures
The interface of this new system, called vision OS, resembles the screen of an iPad, except that each window or icon lives in the middle of your environment. Apple has taken the attention to detail to the point of adding shadows to the ground to enhance the sense of depth, as well as volume to the objects displayed.
There can be a single application displayed in the screens of the helmet, or several to work on different spaces. The Apple Vision Pro is also permanently connected to the Mac, and can integrate with the computer by displaying additional screens, in addition to that of the computer. The headset is also connected to his iPhone and iPad.
To navigate the interface, just use your fingers and pinch to open an application or close it. Cameras are placed under the helmet to detect hand movements and interpret them. Siri is also there to dictate text or access a specific site in Safari. The cameras in the headset also detect your gaze and looking at an app icon automatically selects it.
Many uses that take advantage of Apple services
Apple also poured over the uses and multiplied the demonstrations to explain all the advantages of its first mixed reality headset.
We can mention streaming video on Apple TV+ and other video platforms, with a screen similar to that of a cinema to enjoy films and series in the best conditions. A suitable virtual environment can surround you for total immersion. For sports, the Apple Vision Pro can display scores and relevant information always on screen.
Videoconferencing is also making its appearance, with an adapted version of FaceTime which places its correspondents in its environment. Apple indicated during its presentation that the helmet films and photographs in 3D.
Video games are also an important use of the device and the Apple Vision Pro will be able to display the games offered on the App Store compatible with this new headset and playable with a DualSense or the Xbox controller, already compatible with other Apple devices. .
Confidentiality, dear to Apple, has not been forgotten and the manufacturer has developed a new identification technique called OpticID.
The Apple Vision Pro will be available in early 2024 in the United States at a price of $3,499. The rest of the world will be served later in the course of next year.
Source : Apple
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