As expected, Apple finally introduced its first Augmented Reality glasses. They are the Apple Vision Pro, a revolutionary product that will offer new ways of working, playing, producing or for leisure.
Apple heralds this as its first space computer by seamlessly blending the digital with the real world. For Tim Cook, CEO of the company, this is the beginning of a new era for computing.
Apple Vision Pro is a powerful and elegant product
First of all, it is important to highlight the design presented by the Vision Pro. Unlike its direct competitors, these Augmented Reality glasses have an elegant design, made of a lightweight metal alloy and carbon fiber.
The style of ski goggles presented by renders ended up being confirmed. Part of its two screens provide transparency whenever someone approaches the one who is using Vision Pro for greater human connection.
This is where the EyeSight functionality comes into play, which makes the user’s eyes visible to the outside whenever they are in Augmented Reality mode. In case of being in Virtual Reality mode -totally immersive- a virtual projection of the place that the user is looking at will be made.
The transition between these modes will be done through the digital crown, similar to that of the Apple Watch, present in the structure of the Apple Vision Pro. The charging of the glasses is done through a magnetic interface present on its side.
Regarding its autonomy, Apple promotes up to two hours of use with its external battery. If you want to use it all day, you can do so by keeping the Vision Pro always connected to the mains.
visionOS is the software that makes the whole experience possible
With the release of Vision Pro also comes a new operating system, visionOS. It is a platform developed from scratch by Apple thinking about this product and the world of Augmented Reality.
This software has a three-dimensional interface that will give you the feeling that the digital has migrated to the real world. This interface is similar to that of iPadOS, with the icons displayed in a grid arranged across multiple pages.
It comes with support for all the applications present in the App Store, making the universe of apps available for iPhone and iPad available to users. Developers are encouraged to develop new applications with visionOS in mind to make the user experience of this product even more unique.
Navigation of the Apple Vision Pro is done entirely by gestures
Gestures will be the way users will interact with visionOS, being able to use eye movement, hand movement, and even voice commands for this purpose. We are talking about a completely new interaction system for Apple, but perfectly adapted to its new product.
Users will be able to select different apps with just their eyes, simply by looking at the desired app. To open it, simply bring your index finger together with your thumb. The movement of the wrist will help you move around and you can even use your voice for dictation.
All this will be possible thanks to a wide range of cameras and sensors built into Apple Vision Pro. Eye movements will be recorded by internal sensors, while hand movement will be monitored by its external cameras.
M2 is the processor present in these Virtual/Augmented Reality glasses
The processor chosen for the Apple Vision Pro was the M2, now in a double configuration to provide all the computational power necessary for its correct operation. It comes with 16 GB of RAM.
Regarding their screens, we are facing two panels with micro-LED technology with 4K resolution. This means a density of 800 ppi per screen for an incredible viewing experience with every detail sharp.
Optic ID is the biometric authentication system of this device
Apple does not neglect the security of users and their information. To do this, it introduces a new biometric authentication system that it has decided to call Optic ID.
As you can imagine, it will read the user’s iris for the respective authentication. All data will be stored in Vision Pro itself and will never reach Apple’s servers.
“Optic ID is a new secure authentication system that scans the user’s iris under multiple invisible exposures to LED light and then compares it to Optic ID’s recorded data protected by Secure Enclave to instantly unlock Vision Pros.”
Vision Pro will only arrive in 2024 and not for all wallets
As expected, the Apple Vision Pro will not be an accessible product for any user. The North American Augmented/Virtual Reality headset was advertised for $3,499.
They will go on sale in early 2024 and only in the US in a first phase. Apple promises, however, to expand its availability to more countries by the end of next year.