Apple has released the data for its new Vision Pro product. Pre-orders will be available on January 19, and orders will be in stores on February 2. The Vision Pro is a virtual reality headset that can do many things a Mac can, but in a 3d environment.
The product is the first in its category from Apple. Its last new lineup was the Apple Watch in 2015. The headset is expected to feature many apps in common with Apple’s other products, making the integration seamless. Apple’s press release reads as such:
Apple today announced Apple Vision Pro will be available beginning Friday, February 2, at all U.S. Apple Store locations and the U.S. Apple Store online. Vision Pro is a revolutionary spatial computer that transforms how people work, collaborate, connect, relive memories, and enjoy entertainment. Vision Pro seamlessly blends digital content with the physical world and unlocks powerful spatial experiences in visionOS, controlled by the most natural and intuitive inputs possible — a user’s eyes, hands, and voice. An all-new App Store provides users with access to more than 1 million compatible apps across iOS and iPadOS, as well as new experiences that take advantage of the unique capabilities of Vision Pro. Pre-orders for Apple Vision Pro begin Friday, January 19, at 5 a.m. PST.
“The era of spatial computing has arrived,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Apple Vision Pro is the most advanced consumer electronics device ever created. Its revolutionary and magical user interface will redefine how we connect, create, and explore.”
The market for a VR headset from Apple is uncertain, and certainly a gamble for the company. The product is priced at $3,500, much more expensive than iMacs or MacBooks used by most consumers. The Verge says:
Apple has mainly showcased the device as a way to interact with familiar apps, like FaceTime, Photos, and Movies, as well as to view spatial videos recorded with the iPhone 15 Pro. The company says users will be able to access more than 150 3D titles through the Apple TV app. Those integrations are possible because the headset runs visionOS, Apple’s new operating system that the company says works with most iPhone and iPad apps without requiring any additional work from developers.
Judging by demos of the headset, the Vision Pro offers a pretty impressive experience. The only question is whether that’s enough to convince users to buy one at a $3,499 price.
VR headsets from other companies already exist, but not in a comprehensive productivity ecosystem. At this price point, the headset has to be more than a gimmick for consumers to be interested in it. Adoption will likely be slow, as users will have to wrangle their heads around the VR novelty, and many will see no use in buying it.
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