Apple has recently unveiled its first spatial computer, the Apple Vision Pro, a mixed-reality headset that combines virtual reality and augmented reality in one device. The Vision Pro promises to revolutionize the way we interact with digital content, by blending it seamlessly with the physical world and allowing us to control it with our eyes, hands, and voice. But what is the Vision Pro, how does it work, and what can it do? Here are some of the key features and benefits of Apple’s groundbreaking device.
What is the Vision Pro?
The Vision Pro is a standalone spatial computer that looks like a pair of ski goggles. It has two ultra-high-resolution displays that pack 23 million pixels across each eye, creating a stunning visual experience that feels like it’s taking place in front of your eyes in real-time. The device also has 12 cameras and five sensors that track your head, eye, and hand movements, as well as the environment around you. The cameras can capture photos and videos in 3D, while the sensors can detect depth, motion, light, and sound. The Vision Pro is powered by custom Apple silicon in a dual-chip design: the M2 chip, which handles the graphics and processing, and the R1 chip, which handles the spatial computing and sensor fusion. The device also has a built-in battery that can last up to six hours on a single charge.
How does it work?
The Vision Pro runs on visionOS, the world’s first spatial operating system that is built on the foundation of macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. visionOS features a three-dimensional interface that frees apps from the boundaries of a display and lets them appear side by side at any scale. You can interact with these apps using your eyes, hands, and voice, without needing any controllers or keyboards. For example, you can use your eyes to select an app icon or a menu option, use your hands to manipulate objects or draw in the air, and use your voice to launch commands or dictate text. The Vision Pro also supports Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad, so you can set up a workspace or connect to your Mac wirelessly.
The Vision Pro uses advanced technologies to create realistic and immersive experiences. It uses ray tracing to render lifelike lighting and shadows, spatial audio to create surround sound effects, face tracking to animate your avatar expressions, hand tracking to recognize gestures and finger movements, eye tracking to adjust focus and depth of field, and voice recognition to understand natural language commands. The Vision Pro also uses machine learning to optimize performance and personalize experiences based on your preferences and behavior.
What can it do?
The Vision Pro enables you to enjoy a variety of experiences that are not possible on any other device. You can:
- Watch TV shows and movies on a giant screen that follows you wherever you go. You can choose from thousands of titles on Apple TV+ or other streaming services, or watch your videos from Photos or iCloud. You can also adjust the size, position, brightness, and volume of the screen with simple gestures or voice commands.
- Play immersive games that blend virtual characters and objects with your real surroundings. You can explore rich worlds with stunning graphics and physics, interact with realistic NPCs and enemies, and use your hands as controllers or weapons. You can also play multiplayer games with friends who have Vision Pro or other devices.
- Capture and relive memories in 3D with Photos and Videos. You can take photos and videos in 3D with the cameras on Vision Pro, or import them from your iPhone or iPad. You can then view them in full resolution on a virtual gallery wall or album, or relive them in 3D as if you were there again.
- Browse the web with Safari and access your favorite websites of any size. You can surf the web with Safari on Vision Pro, or use Handoff to continue browsing from your iPhone or iPad. You can also resize and reposition web pages as you like, or pin them to your space for easy access.
- Use FaceTime to connect with friends and family in lifelike avatars. You can make FaceTime calls with Vision Pro and see your contacts as realistic avatars that mimic their facial expressions and body language. You can also join group calls with up to 32 people and chat in virtual rooms or locations.
- Work productively with apps like Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Mail, Calendar, and more. You can use Vision Pro to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, emails, events, and more with ease. You can also collaborate with others in real-time using iCloud or SharePlay and access your files from iCloud Drive or other cloud services.
- Learn new skills with apps like Swift Playgrounds, GarageBand, iMovie, and more. You can use Vision Pro to learn how to code, make music, edit videos, and more with fun and engaging apps. You can also follow tutorials, watch videos, or join classes with experts or peers.
- Explore new places with apps like Maps, Travel Guides, and more. You can use Vision Pro to travel the world with Maps or discover new destinations with Travel Guides. You can also experience immersive tours of landmarks, museums, and cultural sites with ARKit or third-party apps.
- Create amazing art with apps like Procreate, Sketchbook, and more. You can use Vision Pro to unleash your creativity with powerful and intuitive apps. You can draw, paint, sculpt, or design in 3D with your hands or a stylus, and share your creations with others.
The Vision Pro also supports thousands of third-party apps from developers who can use visionOS to create new spatial experiences. You can find and download these apps from the App Store on Vision Pro or your iPhone or iPad.
Why is it the future of augmented reality?
The Vision Pro is the most advanced spatial computer ever created. It offers an unparalleled level of immersion, realism, and interactivity that no other device can match. It also opens up new possibilities for creativity, education, entertainment, communication, and more. The Vision Pro is not just a headset; it’s a new way of seeing the world.
Summary
The Apple Vision Pro is a revolutionary device that introduces the era of spatial computing. It combines virtual reality and augmented reality seamlessly and intuitively and lets users interact with digital content as if it were physically present in their space. The Vision Pro offers a range of experiences that are not possible on any other device and opens up new opportunities for creativity, education, entertainment, communication, and more. The Vision Pro is the future of augmented reality and a new way of seeing the world.