At WWDC 2023 (Worldwide Developers Conference), Apple has unveiled its first augmented reality (AR) headset, the Vision Pro. The headset is designed to provide users with a new way to interact with their devices and the world around them. It features two 4K displays, a high-resolution camera, and a powerful processor. It also supports eye tracking and hand tracking, which will allow users to control their devices with their eyes and hands. Its demo showed that the user can now create and consume content in an 3D environment. Vision Pro will run on visionOS – a brand new platform for the Vision Pro’s headset.

At the event, Apple also announced a partnership with Disney that teased new experiences for the Vision Pro including enhanced ways to watch shows on Disney+, AR demos for basketball games and more. That said, while it appears that a lot of these demos are still a work in progress, Disney CEO Bog Iger announced that the Disney+ app will be available on the Vision Pro at launch.

The Vision Pro is expected to be released in early 2024, and it is priced at $3,499.

Features

The Vision Pro is packed with features that make it a powerful AR headset. Here are some of the key features:

• Two 4K displays: The Vision Pro has two 4K displays that provide a high-resolution viewing experience. The displays are also see-through, which allows users to see the real world while using the headset.
• High-resolution camera: The Vision Pro has a high-resolution camera that can be used to capture photos and videos in AR. The camera can also be used to track users’ movements and gestures.
• Apple’s first 3D camera: Apple says the camera can be used to capture special moments with added depth information, while also making it clear when a person is or isn’t recording footage. Alternatively, if you just want to use the headset as a fancy way to watch TV or movies, there’s a dedicated mode for watching videos on a virtual screen that measures up to 100 feet wide.
• Powerful processor: The Vision Pro is powered by a powerful processor that allows it to run demanding AR applications. The processor also helps to ensure that the headset has a smooth and responsive user experience.
• Eye tracking and hand tracking: The Vision Pro supports eye tracking and hand tracking, which allows users to control their devices with their eyes and hands. This makes it possible for users to interact with their devices in a natural and intuitive way.
• EyeSight feature: Vision Pro will display your eyes when wearing the headset through a feature which Apple calls – EyeSight Feature. It awares users of their surrounding while wearing the headset.

Use cases

The Vision Pro is designed to be used for a variety of tasks, including:

• Gaming: The Vision Pro can be used to play AR games. These games can be played alone or with friends.
• Work: The Vision Pro can be used to work in AR. This could include using AR to collaborate with colleagues, view documents in AR, or even give presentations in AR.
• Education: The Vision Pro can be used for education. This could include using AR to learn about science, history, or even math.
• Entertainment: The Vision Pro can be used for entertainment. This could include watching movies in AR, playing AR games, or even just exploring the world in AR.

The future of AR

The Vision Pro is a major step forward for AR. It is the first AR headset that is powerful enough and affordable enough to be used by a mainstream audience. The Vision Pro is likely to open up a new world of possibilities for AR. It could be used for gaming, work, education, entertainment, and more.

It is still too early to say what the future holds for AR, but the Vision Pro is a sign that AR is becoming a reality. The Vision Pro is a powerful and affordable AR headset that could make AR more accessible to a wider audience. This could lead to a new wave of AR applications and experiences.