Apple announces mixed reality headset Vision Pro
It's priced three times higher than Meta's headset
Apple just dropped their latest invention: the Vision Pro augmented reality headset.
Starting at $3,499, the mixed-reality device comes in at more than three times the cost of Meta's priciest headset.
The Vision Pro uses a new chip called R1 that processes information from its sensors faster than the blink of an eye, and is also powered by Apple’s new M2 chip. The headset will also feature an exterior display that shows the user's eyes to people in the outside world, a notable difference from Meta's devices.
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The headset boasts 12 cameras and a digital crown that allows users to toggle between AR and VR modes and is loaded with an external battery pack that has a two-hour capacity.
Vision Pro allows users to select content from inside their goggles, use hand and finger gestures to click and scroll, and have access to a three-dimensional camera and mic system to capture videos and photos, which can be later viewed in 3D.
The announcement was made during Apple's annual developer conference, where the company also introduced a 15-inch MacBook Air, a powerful chip called M2 Ultra, improvements to its iOS software, including a tweak to autocorrect that will stop it from changing "f**k" to "duck".
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The Verge reported that Meta has sold almost 20 million Quest headsets, as per an internal presentation held earlier this year. Mark Rabkin, the Vice President of VR at Meta, shared the update during an internal presentation and added that the company continues to struggle with keeping customers engaged using their VR services.
Apple has emphasised that the headset's augmented reality features will offer plenty in the area of sports and entertainment partnerships.
Watch the official product video from Apple below.
The Vision Pro will be available early next year in the US, with more countries coming later in 2024.
Arun Ramanathan is Mixmag Asia’s Director. Follow him on Instagram.
