Apple’s hotly anticipated Vision Pro headset will arrive in stores on February 2. The Cupertino giant has also announced that preorders will commence on January 19 at 5 AM PST.
“Vision Pro is a revolutionary spatial computer that transforms how people work, collaborate, connect, relive memories, and enjoy entertainment,” Apple explains. The headset also promises interesting photography features, as it can display enormous panoramic images to the user and sports a built-in 3D camera that can snap 3D photos and record three-dimensional video.
“Apple Vision Pro enables users to capture and relive their favorite memories in entirely new ways. Spatial photos and videos transport users back to a special moment in time, and Spatial Audio makes the experience incredibly immersive. When users are on the go, they can capture spatial video on their iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max and relive them on Vision Pro. Users can also view all their photos and videos at a life-size scale with brilliant color and spectacular detail, including Panoramas that expand and wrap around the user, making them feel like they are right where it was taken,” Apple says.
Developers working with the pre-release version of the Vision Pro’s operating system, VisionOS, have shared previews of the headset’s beautiful immersive environments as well, which tickle the fancy of any landscape and nature photography enthusiast.
“The era of spatial computing has arrived,” says 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.” These are lofty and ambitious claims.
The device’s three-dimensional user interface is controlled with eye movement, hand gestures, and Siri. Alongside support for Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad, users can create a vast, immersive workspace and turn any environment into an office or entertainment room.
There is a lot of exciting hardware packed into the Vision Pro. Beyond the robust and sophisticated design, the device includes a dual-chip design with an M2 chip and a new R1 chip, a dozen cameras, five sensors, and six microphones. The device’s micro-OLED technology includes 23 million pixels across two displays, each the size of a postage stamp. The Vision Pro’s eye-tracking is delivered through rings of “invisible” light projected onto the user’s eyes.
All the fancy technology and intricate design do not come cheap. The Apple Vision Pro will cost $3,499, and includes 256GB of internal storage. Zeiss optical inserts will be available for $99 (readers) and $149 (prescription). Apple Vision Pro comes with a Solo Knit Band and Dual Loop Band, offering users two options for fit, and it includes a Light Seal, two Light Seal Cushions, a cover for the front of the device, a polishing cloth, a battery, USB-C charging cable, and USB-C power adapter. The Apple Vision Pro will be available in the United States at launch on February 2 at all U.S. Apple Store locations and the Apple Store online. International market availability will follow.
Image credits: Apple