Apple Throws its Hat into VR Ring with New Vision Pro Headset

On June 5, Apple unveiled the Vision Pro AR headset during its Worldwide Developers Conference 2023. The headset, set to hit the market in early 2024, represents Apple's first venture into a device that users “look through rather than at,” providing an infinite canvas for users to interact with their apps and services. 

Its sleek design resembles ski goggles, with users navigating the interface with their eyes, hands and voice. It boasts high-resolution OLED displays, advanced tracking sensors, and wide field of view. Additionally, the Vision Pro incorporates spatial audio and supports Apple's ARKit platform, empowering developers to create captivating augmented reality experiences. The device is equipped with the the same chip as can be found in the new $1,300 MacBook Air and a dedicated neural engine to handle real-time processing and all but eliminate latency. 

In direct competition with Meta's Quest line, Apple’s Vision Pro AR headset aims to seamlessly blend the real and digital worlds. Users have the flexibility to toggle between augmented and full virtual reality experiences, and the headset employs "passthrough" AR. This technology employs high-resolution screens and cameras to display a clear image of the real world, enabling more natural interactions and enhancing applications like Facetime. 

Apple plans to offer inserts for users with corrective lenses or visual impairments, and while the two-hour battery life is relatively short, there are hopes for improved power options in the future. Importantly, the device is designed to integrate seamlessly with many existing apps and services, like Apple TV and iTunes, which will leverage Apple's robust software ecosystem and facilitate accessibility for consumers. As was the case when the iPhone debuted, Apple is expecting a gold rush from developers to create a variety of new applications that expand the platform's appeal and offer unique experiences, while also bolstering the company’s future in the AR/VR space regardless of the Vision Pro’s initial success. 

Of course, these benefits come at a price. The starting price of $3,499 raised eyebrows and garnered some negative attention. While some tech enthusiasts will certainly remain early adopters, others may wait for Apple to prove its first entry into the AR/VR space before diving in themselves at a potentially lower price. 

Apple anticipates slow initial sales, acknowledging that tech giants like Microsoft and Google have been active in the consumer AR/VR space for nearly a decade without capturing widespread market infiltration or consumer imagination. Nevertheless, Apple is counting on its track record of successful products, a thriving developer community, and its "cool factor" to overcome previous AR/VR challenges and drive the industry toward broad acceptance. 

The impact of Apple's Vision Pro extends beyond industry disruption. Health care, manufacturing, business, and entertainment anticipate revolutionary changes, and the education sector is also poised for transformation. 

The blending of the digital and physical worlds offered by the Vision Pro presents opportunities for enhanced learning experiences. By leveraging immersive and interactive augmented reality content, the headset can assist students in visualizing complex concepts in fields like science, engineering, and art through 3D models, enhanced spatial exploration, and integrated experiences. Further, it has the potential to facilitate remote collaboration and shared virtual environments for collaborative projects, fostering inclusivity in education. Educators can likely enhance teaching methods and create more engaging educational settings. And as individuals process visual information more effectively and efficiently than text along, learners can benefit from improved retention of information through visual processing and educators can identify learning gaps more effectively. 

Capitol Technology University’s programs in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, as well as in Engineering Technologies, can help you understand the potential and impact of augmented and virtual reality. For more information, visit the Capitol website or contact our Admissions team at admissions@captechu.edu.