Apple’s Long-Awaited VR Headset Gives You Virtual Eyes To ‘View’ The Real World

Since leaks of a headset first surfaced a few years ago, fans of Apple and tech enthusiasts had been eagerly waiting and speculating on what the company might have in store. The wait is now over, as Apple has finally pulled the curtains back on its long-awaited Vision Pro virtual-reality headset at the WWDC 2023.
 
One of the main things Vision Pro is set to bring about is ‘Spatial Computing’, which means that it ties entertainment, productivity, and communication into one bundle and places it in front of your eyes through the headgear. In addition, the device will work with various “apps and experiences” to bring to life not just a movie or a game but your workspace in an entirely new way.

Another standout feature is something called ‘EyeSight’. With previous headsets like Meta’s Quest or Oculus, the form factor consists of an opaque front, shielding its user as they play games or watch movies. So if someone came up to you to talk, you’d have to remove the gear to see them. EyeSight, however, lets you keep it on no matter what you’re doing.
 
First, when setting up the Vision Pro, you will be asked to use the front to scan your face. This will create a digital likeness for you during FaceTime calls. And when it detects someone coming near you, it can emulate your eyes via artificial intelligence through a “transparent” screen, allowing for more natural interaction (or as natural as it can get from behind a pair of high-tech goggles). Once they move away, and you want to tap back into the virtual world, a blurred screen will replace your simulated eyes to show you are busy.

Video via Apple
 
The device is powered by the same M2 chip equipped in the MacBooks, and hosts a 4K screen for each eye. What you’ll get from this are floating screens that can display movies, videos, apps, games, and even host presentations for work.

The Vision Pro can host 3D movies such as Avatar: The Way of Water, which was used to introduce a new partnership with Disney. Bob Iger, the CEO, announced that the entertainment firm’s content will be accessible to users. For example, Star Wars fans can watch shows such as The Mandalorian in a virtual environment resembling Tatooine or other lookalike planets from the franchise. Outside of this, gamers will be given an all-new app store to download games exclusively made for the Vision Pro.

Video via Apple
 
In terms of controls, it uses a mixture of your voice, eyes, fingers, and touch to navigate around the Vision Pro. For example, your fingers can “tap” on the content or enlarge videos and photos, while your eyes can select different options you can confirm with your voice. A ‘Digital Crown’ dial is also located on its band to take you from the virtual to the real world.

Video via Apple
 
As exciting as all this sounds, the Vision Pro comes with a pretty hefty price tag of US$3,499, setting itself on the higher end of the spectrum of headsets. Unfortunately, it won’t be ready for purchase until early 2024; no exact date has been given.

Below are more images of the device.

 
 
[via The Guardian and Insider, images via Apple]