Adam Kos Did you also think that Apple will introduce a headset as part of the WWDC23 opening keynote? And you know that didn't happen? Apple presents its Vision Pro product as "the first spatial computer", and here you will learn everything you need to know about it.
The main functionality of Apple Vision Pro is the seamless connection of digital content with the physical world with the ability to stay present and connected with others. The device thus creates an infinite canvas for applications that goes beyond the boundaries of a traditional display and presents a fully three-dimensional user interface controlled by the most natural and intuitive inputs possible - eyes, hands and voice. At least that's how Apple characterizes its new product.
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Powered by visionOS, the world's first spatial operating system, Vision Pro enables users to interact with digital content in a way that feels like it is physically present in their space. The breakthrough design features an ultra-high definition display system that features 23 million pixels across two displays.
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Why use Vision Pro?
It is supposed to be a new dimension of personal computing as it changes the way users will control applications, relive memories and enjoy other visual content such as movies and other shows or FaceTime calls.
- An endless canvas for applications at work and at home – Apps have no borders, so they can be displayed side by side at any scale. But there is support for Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad.
- Engaging entertainment experiences – Transforms any space into a personal theater with a screen that is 30 feet wide and offers an advanced surround sound system. Users can also play over 100 Apple Arcade games on any size screen.
- Immersive environment – Environments allow the user's world to expand beyond the dimensions of a physical room with dynamic, beautiful landscapes that can help them focus or reduce clutter in busy spaces.
- Vivid memories - Apple Vision Pro features Apple's first 3D camera and allows users to capture, relive and immerse themselves in favorite memories with Spatial Audio. Each 3D photo and video transports the user back to a specific moment in time, such as a party with friends or a special family gathering.
- Spatial FaceTime – FaceTime calls use the space around the user, with all participants appearing in life-size tiles and surround sound, so it sounds like participants are speaking directly from where the tiles are placed.
- Application – Apple Vision Pro has an all-new App Store where users can discover apps and content from developers and access hundreds of thousands of popular iPhone and iPad apps that work great and automatically with the new input system.
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operating system visionOS
visionOS is built on the foundations of macOS, iOS, and iPadOS and has been designed from the ground up to support low-latency spatial computing requirements. It features an all-new three-dimensional interface that makes digital content look and feel like it's present in the user's physical world. It dynamically responds to natural light and casts shadows to help the user understand the scale and distance of objects. Users can browse apps by simply looking at them, tapping their finger to make a selection, flicking their wrist to scroll through the menu, or of course using their voice to dictate text and control.
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EyeSight Technology
This innovation helps users stay connected with the people around them. When a person approaches someone wearing the Vision Pro, the device becomes transparent, allowing the wearer's eyes to be seen and displayed at the same time. When the wearer is immersed in an environment or using an app, EyeSight provides visual cues to others about what the wearer is focusing on, so they know they can't see them.
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Unique design
A unique piece of three-dimensionally shaped and layered glass is polished to create a surface that acts as a lens for the wide array of cameras and sensors needed to connect the physical world with digital content. The aluminum alloy frame gently curves around the user's face, while the modular system allows it to fit a wide range of people regardless of their head and face shape. The so-called Light Seal is made of soft fabric and comes in a range of shapes and sizes to fit the user's face. Flexible straps ensure sound stays close to the wearer's ears, while the Head Band is available in multiple sizes and is knitted as one piece to provide cushioning, breathability and proper stretch. It is also secured with a simple mechanism that makes it easy to change to a different size or style of band.
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Lenses from Zeiss
Apple uses micro-OLED technology in the Vision Pro with 23 million pixels in two displays, each the size of a postage stamp, with rich colors and high dynamic range. This technological breakthrough, combined with proprietary catadioptric lenses that allow for incredible sharpness and clarity, is said to deliver stunning experiences. Users with certain vision correction needs will then use ZEISS optical inserts to ensure visual fidelity and eye tracking accuracy. There is also a powerful eye-tracking system for high-speed cameras and LEDs that project invisible light patterns into the user's eyes for responsive and intuitive input.
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M2 and R1 chips
The M2 chip provides stand-alone performance, while the brand new R1 chip processes input from 12 cameras, five sensors and six microphones to ensure content is displayed right in front of the user's eyes in real time. Its response time is 12 milliseconds, which according to Apple is 8x faster than the blink of an eye. The Apple Vision Pro is also designed for all-day use, but can only last for two hours on an external battery usage.
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Security at the highest level
Of course, there's still a high level of security, with Apple mentioning Optic ID, for example, which is a new secure authentication system that analyzes the user's iris under various exposures to invisible LED light and then compares it to registered data that's protected in the Secure Enclave to Instantly unlocked/locked Apple Vision Pro. This data is fully encrypted, not accessible to apps, and never leaves the device, which means it's not stored on Apple's servers.
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The price and availability will not please you
Well, it's not glory. The device starts at $3, and the big question is what it starts with. Apple will probably have more variants, where it is quite possible that it will cut not only the performance but also the functions. Sales should start at the beginning of 499, but only in the USA. It is expected to expand to other corners of the world, but that will take a while. It is still unclear whether we will see official distribution in the Czech Republic.
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Too bad I only have one eye... the engineers in Cupertino probably didn't think about that...
But they meant it. Next year, the Apple Vision Lite will be available for people who identify as Cyclops. So theoretically for you too. A year later, Apple will introduce Apple Vision None, which will be a version for blind people. This will basically just be a band around the head from which the cable will run. Vision Lite should be priced around 200000 CZK, Vision None for a change 300000 CZK. For both devices, Apple will then offer a new Apple Pirate product, which will be a pirate tape over the unused eye / eyes.