Apple’s Vision Pro Headset Hits US Stores Today. Here’s What You Need To Know

Apple’s first new product in seven years, the Vision Pro, was formally released in retailers in the United States on Friday.

The mixed reality headset went on sale at Apple Stores around the country, with some eager customers being among the first to get their hands on what looks to be one of the most inventive tech items in years.

On Friday morning, CEO Tim Cook greeted customers at Apple’s New York City flagship store, shaking hands and taking photographs as colleagues rejoiced. Around 200 individuals waited up ahead of the 8 a.m. debut, including clients worldwide.

Apple’s Vision Pro Headset Hits US Stores Today. Here’s What You Need To Know

In addition, retail outlets offer individual one-on-one demos on a first-come, first-served basis.

CEO Tim Cook has long emphasised the promise of augmented reality to facilitate communication and collaboration. Now, he must demonstrate that a device that combines virtual reality and augmented reality, a technique that superimposes virtual visuals on live video of the actual world, is the future of computing.

Before its release, Cook described it as “the most advanced consumer electronics device ever created.”

However, it will be a challenging sell: a $3,499 bulky computer you wear on your face. The headset will feature 256 GB of storage and prescription lens inserts will be offered for $149. Reading lens implants begin at $99.

The New York Times claimed that when extra accessories, such as a $200 travel case and a $50 power pack holder, are included, the price can reach $4,600.

The headset launches at a time when the extended reality (XR) sector, which comprises augmented, virtual, and mixed reality, has reached a plateau with no widespread consumer penetration. The Vision Pro will have a limited number of apps out of the box and will be attached to an iPhone-sized battery pack, providing approximately 2.5 hours of battery life on a single charge.

Apple’s Vision Pro Headset Hits US Stores Today. Here’s What You Need To Know

The experience, however, is unparalleled regarding watching immersive videos and engaging with your surroundings. It’s rare to come across a new technology that feels revolutionary, but in the two demos CNN saw before the launch, it’s easy to envision the future — or at least an early and extremely expensive prototype of it.

The User Experience

The headset itself resembles a pair of stylish ski goggles. It has a soft adjustable band on top, a “digital crown” on the back — a larger version than what you’d find on an Apple Watch — and another digital crown on top that functions as a home button.

Although it’s still a computer around your eyes, it’s surprisingly lightweight and comfortable.

The setup method is straightforward: first, the headset tracks the eyes, scans the hands, and maps the room. Users will then see an iOS-style interface appear in front of their surroundings.

Eye motions and tapping the thumb and pointer finger together activate a “select” button, allowing users to smoothly switch between apps, including Messages, FaceTime, Safari, and Photos. The UI also responds to voice commands to activate Siri.

Apple’s Vision Pro Headset Hits US Stores Today. Here’s What You Need To Know

Photos can be displayed in life-size or as if they were on a large cinema screen. In contrast, panoramics immerse you in the scene. Vision Pro also includes a spatial photo option, allowing users to watch photographs and videos in 3D for a more realistic experience.

The Vision Pro has many applications, including cooking, meditation, and work. Users can sync their Mac computers to transform the screen into a large display and connect a physical keyboard.

To maximise productivity, it is feasible to have numerous windows active simultaneously. Email can be retained on one side, with a Safari browser open in the centre and a FaceTime call on the right. When users wear Vision Pro and FaceTime, they appear as a Persona, a digital avatar of their face.

However, the true charm of the Vision Pro is in the immersive films.

During a recent trial, we viewed “Star Wars” highlights on Disney+ while sitting inside a virtual recreation of Luke Skywalker’s land speeder vehicle, a viewing experience that any movie fan would enjoy. Watching an underwater scene from “Avatar 2” in 3D was likewise bizarre, as users appeared immersed in the ocean.

Apple has made steps to address the motion sickness issue that has afflicted competing headsets, thanks to a special chip that reduces latency in similar products. Vision Pro offers surround sound, with audio pods outside the ears to provide rich, immersive music.

To assist consumers in navigating their new headset, Apple has provided a roughly 10-minute guided tour on its website.

Almost every new Apple device, from the iPhone to the Apple Watch, promises to employ screens of various sizes to transform how we live, work, and interact with the world. The Vision Pro can achieve all of this more spectacularly.

However, due to its high pricing, the Vision Pro will remain a niche product for die-hard Apple devotees and developers.

According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the company sold between 160,000 and 180,000 Vision Pro headsets during the first pre-order weekend last month.

Shipping times were unchanged during the first 48 hours, indicating demand may decline once core fans have placed orders. Shipping times frequently extend when new iPhone models sell out.

Morgan Stanley estimates the company will ship up to 400,000 Vision Pro systems this year.

SOURCE – (CNN)