The anticipated introduction of an Apple VR headset has sparked numerous debates and rumors, but the speculation was put to rest as Apple revealed its foray into augmented reality with the launch of its AR headset at the WWDC conference.
Now officially dubbed the Apple Vision Pro, Apple has devoted numerous years to the product’s discreet development. The fact that Apple is now ready to show it off signals a confidence in the product’s readiness and the market timing. Apple’s reputation is punctuated by hits rather than misses, notwithstanding curious design decisions like the Apple Mouse’s charging point.
While VR/AR headsets have seen their fair share of false starts—Google Glass was phased out in March, and the HTC Vive has been likened to a sci-fi cyborg accessory—Apple’s entry into the market may well represent a tipping point. Moreover, it underscores a shift in momentum: venerable Augmented Reality seems to be taking the crown, leaving behind the often dizzying experience of Virtual Reality.
The marketplace witnessed a drastic over 50% downturn in the sales of VR/AR headsets last year. Nevertheless, the anticipation of Apple’s Vision Pro debuting in the next six months is unlikely to lift the sales forecasts for other headgear manufacturers.
The Vision Pro is slated to feature innovative control methods including eye-tracking, voice, and hand gestures. Display-wise, it promises a resolution surpassing that of 4K televisions. Notably, it will come equipped with a suite of 12 cameras, offering users the ability to capture, relive, and immerse themselves in their favorite moments time and again. To visions of Apple loyalists tethering themselves to their prized headsets while experiencing rollercoaster rides, add the prospect of streaming Disney+ content including “The Mandalorian” whilst waiting in line for attractions like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, all within the headset’s two-hour battery span.
It’s been a spell since a gadget arrived on the scene with this much potential to redefine our everyday lives—the iPhone immediately comes to mind as a device that, while not the pioneer of the mobile web, certainly reset our expectations of it.
Alongside the arrival of the Vision Pro, Apple made announcements regarding iOS17, introduced a new 15-inch MacBook Air, and unveiled MacOS Sonoma, among other updates. Although, it seems as if the allure of wearables is overshadowing these traditional tech advancements.
Pegged at a premium price of $3.5k, the Apple Vision Pro AR headset is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2024.
