Apple Vision Pro: The bridge between the digital and physical world

Apple recently unveiled the Vision Pro a groundbreaking spatial computer that blurs the lines between digital content and the physical world. This device allows users to remain present in the real world while interacting with digital content. The Vision Pro provides an infinite app workspace that goes far beyond the limits of a traditional display, offering a fully three-dimensional user interface controlled by the user’s eyes, hands and voice.

Intuitive operation and immersive experience

The Vision Pro uses the user’s eyes, hands and voice for control. A new homescreen stretches out in front of the user, allowing them to interact with it through the direction of their eyes, the gestures of their hands, or through voice commands via Siri. Apps can be opened in any size at any position in front of the user and can be fixed at specific positions in space. They can be run in parallel, side by side, on top of each other, or one below the other, allowing them to be launched and dropped virtually anywhere in the room. In addition to the two-dimensional display, objects can also be displayed three-dimensionally in front of the user. In a productive environment, the Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad can also be connected wirelessly to the headset via Bluetooth.

Technological innovations and design

The Vision Pro is packed with an impressive amount of technology in a compact design. It features a high-resolution display system that distributes 23 million pixels across two displays and uses a combination of the familiar M2 and the new R1, a special chip responsible for processing sensor data. The data from a total of 12 cameras, 5 sensors such as lidar, and 6 microphones flow into the R1 and are processed there. The image output takes place with a latency of 12 ms, Apple explains. Power is supplied to the hardware via an external battery, whose cable can be magnetically attached to the left side of the Vision Pro. Apple cites runtimes of 2 hours via the external battery, but the Vision Pro can also be powered via a permanent power source.

New experiences and applications

The Vision Pro enables a new dimension in powerful personal computing by transforming the way users interact with their favorite apps, capture and relive memories, enjoy stunning TV shows and movies, and connect with others in FaceTime.

With two ultra-high resolution displays, the Vision Pro can transform any room into a personal movie theater, with a screen that feels like it’s 100 feet wide and an advanced spatial audio system. Users can watch movies and TV shows or enjoy stunning three-dimensional movies. Disney has already announced that Disney+ will be offered right at launch for Vision Pro. In addition to movies and series in the classic format, 180-degree recordings are offered that almost completely surround the wearer in a semicircle and also acoustically transport them into the virtual world with Spatial Audio. The Vision Pro has speakers for this, but it can also be used with AirPods (Pro). 3D movies can also be played on the Vision Pro. In addition, there are over 100 games from Apple Arcade to choose from, which are also compatible with controllers like the Sony DualSense from the PlayStation 5.

Privacy and Security

Apple places a high priority on privacy and security. The Vision Pro is designed to keep users in control of their data. It features a new secure authentication system called Optic ID that analyzes the user’s iris and compares it to stored Optic ID data to instantly unlock the device. The user’s Optic ID data is fully encrypted, not accessible by apps, and does not leave the device, meaning it is not stored on Apple servers.

Price and Availability

The Apple Vision Pro will be available on apple.com and in Apple Store locations in the U.S. starting early next year, with other countries following over the next year. Pricing will start at $3,499.