Apple has revealed its new Vision Pro mixed-reality headset at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference. The product is the culmination of over seven years of development and a potentially risky launch for the tech giant. The headset is aimed at redefining the still-nascent industry and is touted as the future of computing, as it attempts to change how people interact with the world. The wearable device mixes virtual and augmented reality, fully immersing users in content with high-resolution displays, ideal for video watching, or overlaying apps on top of the wearer's field of view.
Apple CEO, Tim Cook, stated during the presentation, "it's the first Apple product you look through and not at." However, with a price tag of $3,499, the product may need to overcome some of the scepticism from investors and consumers alike. Rival headsets can cost as little as a few hundred dollars, putting the Vision Pro more in the realm of a high-end laptop than gadget.
Marketed under Apple's curated technology of "spatial computing", the headset comprises of two main chips: an M2 processor from the Mac that handles the main computing tasks and a second chip, the R1, that works with the dedicated sensors that enable the mixed-reality capabilities. The release sets up a showdown with Meta Platforms Inc., a company that currently dominates the VR headset market with an 81% share, according to Counterpoint Research. Apple expects to sell about 900,000 units of the Vision Pro in its first year, which could give the company a commanding share of the market.
The product also features EyeSight, a function that shows an image of a user's eyes on the outside of the headset when people are nearby and shows those nearby in the user's field of vision when wearing the device, keeping users more engaged with their environment. The headset's debut marks Apple's final day of hardware and software announcements at WWDC, with the company introducing new Macs and software for its major devices.
The wearable headset has a dozen cameras, dual 4K microLED displays and the ability to take 3D photos and videos, making it one of the most advanced consumer gadgets ever produced. The device will arrive early next year in the US, followed by other regions later, and is expected to set the stage for something more, as Apple is already working on a lower-cost version of the headset and an even more upscale model.