While many Android fans will tell you, “We had that first”, Apple fans will counter, “We did it best”. So with that in mind, Apple is now turning its attention to the realm of Augmented Reality (AR) with its latest marvel - the Vision Pro AR headset. 

But what is it, and why should you care? Let us explain…

Unveiling the Vision Pro: Apple's Entry into the AR Market

The Vision Pro made its grand entrance at Apple's WWDC developer conference. The event, known for unveiling Apple's latest innovations, presented the Vision Pro as the new benchmark in AR technology. 

The initial impressions were nothing short of awe. Its sleek design, coupled with an array of features, put Vision Pro in a league of its own, leaving the tech industry buzzing with excitement. 

Key Features of the Vision Pro AR Headset

The Vision Pro is a powerhouse of hardware and software. It employs two Apple processors - the M2 and R1, which handle the complex operations of the device. A host of cameras, motion sensors, and high-resolution displays add to the intricate design. 

The R1 chip, specifically, handles the input from 12 cameras, five sensors, and six microphones, reducing the latency between head movement and the corresponding change in the display's field of view to a mere 12 milliseconds. 12 MILLISECONDS… 

Put it this way, your brain can process certain types of information within as little as 13 milliseconds. It takes you 300 to 400 milliseconds to blink your eye, which is 1/3 of a second. This means that your brain can identify what it’s looking at approximately 30 times faster than you can blink your eye! So all those people who suffer from motion sickness, this may be your saving grace! 

However, the truly immersive experience comes from the optics and display of the Vision Pro. It uses two postage-stamp-size displays, one for each eye, which are then stretched by a trio of lenses to span a wider field of view. This approach maintains sharpness and colour while rendering video in true 4K resolution.

User interaction is made intuitive with cameras that track the environment and sensors that monitor finger gestures. An interesting feature called EyeSight shows your eyes to people looking at you when wearing the headset, adding a unique touch to the user experience.

Experience with Vision Pro: User Interface and Applications

The Vision Pro runs on VisionOS, an operating system built on the same M2 processor used in Apple's Macs. VisionOS promises to open up a world of applications, from immersive gaming and video to web browsing and word processing on giant virtual screens. 

Input is controlled by eye tracking, voice, and pinching your fingers together to input your selection. There are no controllers, or wands, like with popular VR headsets, Apple is hoping their input choices will become as iconic as multi-touch on their phones and the click wheel on the iPod. 

The potential applications also extend to video conferencing with life-size companions, bringing a new dimension to virtual interaction.

Vision Pro AR: Price and Availability

The premium electronics and advanced features of the Vision Pro come with a price tag starting at $3,499. As of now, we’re unsure of what bells and whistles will differentiate the prices, but you can probably be sure that it’s related to the storage the device ships with.

While the cost might seem steep to many, Apple is betting on a premium experience to overcome obstacles that have kept AR and VR headsets out of the mainstream so far. 

The Vision Pro is set to ship in early 2024 with more information to come later this year.

Vision Pro AR vs Other AR Headsets: A Comparative Analysis

The Vision Pro, with its superior features and premium experience, positions itself distinctively in the AR market. While budget headsets from competitors like Meta have made their own attempts at attracting users to AR, none have managed to promise the immersive experience that Vision Pro offers.

For Apple, it's not just about gaming or video; it's about creating a complete AR experience, whether that's browsing the web or processing words on a giant virtual screen. They are betting on this becoming as much a part of our daily lives as the iPad or the Macbook. 

What this does mean is that we may start to see some strong competition in the market, which should ultimately give better choices to consumers in the years to come.

The Future of AR: What Does the Vision Pro Mean for the Market?

Apple's Vision Pro could very well be the "beginning of a journey" as Apple CEO Tim Cook puts it. With the introduction of the Vision Pro, Apple has shown its commitment to AR technology. Although it's a premium product with a premium price tag, future iterations could appeal to a broader market as technology advances and manufacturing costs decrease.

As we see more AR applications in various fields like education, healthcare, and entertainment, the Vision Pro could be a key driver in this adoption, providing users with a superior AR experience. Take, for example, their partnership with Disney. 

During the keynote, Disney’s CEO Bob Igor took to the stage to show their commitment to Vision Pro and explained how their products and services were already being adapted to work seamlessly with the headset.

The Vision Pro's potential impact on AR market trends is significant, potentially influencing not just how other companies design and develop their AR products, but also how consumers interact with AR technology.

20/24 Vision 

Apple's entry into the AR market with the Vision Pro AR headset signifies a significant leap in AR technology. Its intricate design, top-notch hardware, immersive display, intuitive user interface, and potential applications set it apart in the AR market. While the price point might be a hurdle for some, the premium experience it offers makes it worth the investment for others.

Make no mistake, this is a first-generation product that is as much a proof of concept as you’ve ever seen. While it’s being marketed for everyone, it’s purely an aspirational product for most. But that’s a good thing. Those of us who are old enough to remember using the first iPhone will remember the lack of an app store, the inability to change wallpaper, and the laughably small storage size. 

The Vision Pro represents not just a new product, but a vision for the future of AR. As we look forward to its release, we can only speculate about the changes it will bring to the AR market and the possibilities it opens up for users. One thing is clear, though: Apple's Vision Pro has set a new standard in AR technology, and we can't wait to see where this journey leads.