Apple has unveiled its mixed-reality headset, the Vision Pro, its ambitious launch of a new platform that will make waves in the AR market.
Following years of rumors, Apple has used its keynote address at the Worldwide Developer Conference to introduce its headset to the world. The Vision Pro is a standalone device in a similar vein to the Meta Quest 2, except that Apple takes the concept quite a few steps further.
As a premium headset, it aims to compete with high specifications, as well as considerably advanced features that allows Apple’s newest device category to stand out on its own.
Taking the general form of a ski-goggle-style headset that others on the market also use, with silicone straps to the side and above the head to keep it in place. A cushion layer helps provide a snug fit to the user’s face, and to keep it comfortable to wear for long periods.
Referred to as a move into “spatial computing” and the first device Apple users see through, the Vision Pro displays apps within the user’s space. Apps can expand within a space, complete with shadows placed on surfaces to show where apps are placed.
Multiple apps can be placed within a space and arranged to suit the user’s needs. This includes both 2D app panels and 3D objects, while still enabling a full view of the local environment if the user requires it.
To help users manage the VR and AR experience, a control like the Apple Watch Digital Crown is used to move gradually between the different modes. This allows users to go between VR and AR viewpoints in a granular manner.
Navigating the operating system can be done in a number of ways, with hand, finger, and eye tracking employed using cameras inside and facing out of the headset. This allows gestures, such as pinches, to trigger items on a menu, for example.
Voice control is also available, making it especially useful for text entry, or Siri.
To give more of a connection to other people in the same room, EyeSight offers others a view of the user’s eyes, allowing them to see what they are focusing on. The user’s eyes are automatically revealed to other room occupants when the user looks at them.
While a standalone device, Vision Pro takes advantage of the Apple ecosystem and iCloud to synchronize the user’s data between it and their Mac, iPhone, or iPad.
In one impressive example, a user could see the display of their Mac within Vision Pro simply by looking at it.
Along with typical Apple apps, there’s an enhanced FaceTime with spatial elements. Tiles appear so contacts are life-size, with spatial audio helping user to determine who is speaking.
Documents also appear as separate tiles for co-working within a FaceTime call.
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This story originally appeared on Appleinsider
