Apple Vision Pro: Apple’s first head-mounted display device is officially on sale!

On February 2, Apple's first head-mounted "spatial computing" display device went on sale in the US. The device was officially announced back on June 6, 2023 at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Over the next few months, Apple opened up the Vision Pro Developer Kit to drive app development, and in early 2024, Apple announced the launch of the Vision Pro App Store. After a series of preparatory activities, Apple Vision Pro is finally on schedule to meet consumers. Long lines formed in front of Apple's offline stores, and many people came to experience the latest Vision Pro product for the first time.

“A futuristic and technological appearance”

The Apple Vision Pro has a "ski goggle" like shape, made of magnesium and carbon fiber with an aluminum housing. A knob on top allows users to adjust the field of view to suit their needs at any time. The device is made of comfortable fabrics and customizable components, with laminated glass flowing into an aluminum frame that blocks stray light and protects the user's eyes. The headband portion of the device is cushioned, breathable and elastic, making it more comfortable for users to wear. To accommodate users with different face shapes, Apple Vision Pro offers 28 different sizes of "gaskets" to ensure a snug fit and prevent light leakage. Three different strap lengths are also available.

“Welcome to the era of spatial computing”

Apple's product tagline for Vision Pro reads, “Apple Vision Pro seamlessly blends digital content with your physical space. You navigate simply by using your eyes, hands, and voice. So you can do the things you love in ways never before possible. You’ve never seen everything like this before.” (The above is from Apple's website) Apple is positioning the Apple Vision Pro as a "spatial computing device" rather than just a virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), or mixed reality (MR) head-mounted display device. It has many innovative features:

• Immersive experience: Apple Vision Pro features a micro-OLED screen with 23 megapixels and a monocular resolution of over 4K. Equipped with a dual-driver sound system, it supports spatial audio technology that adapts to the size of the room to provide a strong sense of immersion.
• Environmental integration: Apple Vision Pro allows users to see both virtual content and the external environment while wearing it, realizing the integration of augmented reality and the real world. The apps can be displayed in the user's field of view, blending with the surrounding environment, simulating shadow effects and creating a "surreal" experience.
• Interaction Design: Users can interact with Apple Vision Pro through their eyes and simple gestures, such as pinching and closing their fingers, without the need for an additional controller. A 3D display on the outside of the headset supports EyeSight, which shows the user's eye movements in real time.
• Content Bridging: Apple Vision Pro supports bridging content with Mac computers, allowing users to continue unfinished work on the Mac in Apple Vision Pro by simply looking at the Mac computer. You can retrieve memos from your computer or phone at any time, borrow the keyboard to complete forms, and participate in multi-person video group meetings. Supports using the Mac's keyboard and mouse to control Vision Pro.
• Shooting Function: Apple Vision Pro supports panoramic photo shooting and viewing, which enables users to experience the scene they are shooting in an immersive way. You can also use the 3D camera to record and share moments around you.
• Performance features: Apple Vision Pro has built-in M2 and R1 chips. The M2 chip runs visionOS, the visionOS system provides users with an interface and features optimized for the headset, and the R1 chip is dedicated to processing inputs from the camera, sensors, and microphone, which ensures 12ms real-time rendering and a smooth experience. Meanwhile, the APP for iOS and iPadOS can also be used directly on visionOS.
• Optic ID: Apple Vision Pro has a built-in iris sensor that scans the wearer's eye data and matches it to previously pre-programmed owner information to support "Optic ID", which enables the use of the iris as an authorization to unlock and make purchases and payments. In addition, the iris data created by Optic ID is stored in the headset's secure quarantine area, which is kept offline and is not accessible to applications.

The Apple Vision Pro is currently available in 3 memory sizes: 256 GB, starting at $3,499, 512 GB, starting at $3,699, and 1 TB, starting at $3,899. If you are very interested in the emerging gadgets or you are a big fan of Apple, then you may want to buy it and experience it! When a user purchases the Apple Vision Pro, they need to scan their face with a Face ID-enabled iPhone or iPad, turn their head in four directions, repeat twice, and the system will automatically match the size of the accessory that fits the user. Additionally, the Apple Vision Pro has partnered with Zeiss to provide built-in optical lenses that users can customize after purchase by uploading their optometry prescription data.

Many have compared the launch of the Apple Vision Pro to the launch of Macs and iPhones, calling it a "historic moment". Apple CEO Tim Cook said, "Just as the Mac brought us into the age of personal computing, and the iPhone brought us into the age of mobile computing, the Apple Vision Pro will bring us into the age of spatial computing." The future of electronics may be right in front of our eyes.