Everything We Know About The Apple Vision Pro

  • 9 months ago
Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’re taking a closer look at the Apple Vision Pro, and telling you everything you need to know about it.

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00:00 Although Apple would rather us not use such reductive language, in simple terms, the Apple
00:24 Vision Pro is a virtual reality headset, similar to that of something like the MetaQuest 3.
00:29 Technically, as it utilises both virtual reality and augmented reality, a more accurate way
00:34 of describing it might be a mixed reality or extended reality headset.
00:38 Regardless, this is Apple's first Vision OS product, which will no doubt act as a springboard
00:42 for a whole host of futuristic tech, which may or may not include VR-type products, hence
00:47 the brand's hesitation to be pigeonholed as just another VR product.
00:51 When using the Apple Vision Pro, users can switch between its VR and AR capabilities
00:55 with the click of a button - well, with the turn of a digital crown-style dial.
01:00 And when using the headset, the user's eyes will be visible through the front of the headset
01:04 thanks to a feature called EyeSight.
01:09 This EyeSight feature will also be able to indicate to others when you're busy using
01:13 one of the device's features, so they can avoid interrupting you.
01:16 It has impressive tech specs.
01:18 So what's powering the Vision Pro?
01:19 Well, at the heart of the headset is both an M.2 processor and a new R1 chip.
01:24 These work together to process the input from five sensors, 12 cameras and six microphones.
01:29 The headset also utilises Apple's impressive spatial audio.
01:32 In terms of what the user sees, there are two displays that combine to give you 23 million
01:36 pixels of ultra-high resolution goodness, each equivalent to 4K and capable of creating
01:41 the illusion of a 100ft wide display.
01:44 There are three different Vision Pro models, each with varying amounts of storage capacity
01:48 - 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.
01:52 More on the pricing of those later.
01:54 Like other mixed reality headsets, the Vision Pro will facilitate various different immersive
01:58 visual experiences, like panorama photos and wraparound environments.
02:02 The latter of which has an awesome breakthrough feature, by the way, which allows users to
02:06 still speak to those in the room with them.
02:09 There's also lots of different video playback options too.
02:14 When you want a cinema at home experience, you can expand your video playback and your
02:17 environment will automatically dim around you, which is cool.
02:20 You can also view Apple's new spatial videos, which can be shot on the iPhone 15 and on
02:25 the Vision Pro device itself.
02:27 These give the impression of peering into a snapshot in time.
02:29 Apple is also talking up the Vision Pro's video conferencing features via FaceTime,
02:34 which will allow users to view the people they are chatting with life-size, and their
02:37 voice will even come from the correct direction, thanks to spatial audio.
02:41 Apple will even generate a digital persona of yourself for those on the other side of
02:44 the call, complete with your likeness and even your mirrored facial expressions.
02:52 To benefit from this digital persona, users will have to register their likeness with
02:55 the device in order to do this.
02:57 This will also help add an extra layer of security to the device, much like Face ID
03:01 does.
03:02 However, Apple says that there will also be the option to add a "guest mode" to the
03:05 device so friends and family who are not registered on the device can enjoy it.
03:09 On top of its flexible video features, you'll be glad to hear that Vision Pro supports 720p
03:13 AirPlay, allowing you to mirror whatever is on your Vision Pro to any AirPlay-enabled
03:17 device, such as an iPhone, iPad, Mac or TV.
03:21 You can also use AirPlay to ping other devices' displays to your Vision Pro, like your Mac.
03:26 Now, although these tech specs are great, what's not so great is the slightly disappointing
03:30 battery life of the Vision Pro.
03:32 Although the headset can be plugged in and used indefinitely, the included pocket-friendly
03:36 battery pack only allows for up to two hours of general use, and two and a half hours of
03:40 video playback.
03:41 By today's movie standards, that two and a half hours isn't going to go very far.
03:45 Navigation is seamless.
03:47 Apple is all about simplicity when it comes to navigating its devices, and the Vision
03:51 Pro is no different.
03:52 The headset champions natural control, which means it's capable of using your voice,
03:56 alongside clever hand and eye tracking, in order to make navigation quick, easy and fun.
04:00 So just to be clear, you only have to look at the icon you want to select in front of
04:04 you and the headset will track your eyes and highlight it for you, which is really cool.
04:16 Other movements like swipes, pinches and wrist flicks will also be a big part of finding
04:20 your way around the headset's interface and features.
04:23 For example, you can virtually pinch and drag the corner of a photo to enlarge it.
04:27 If you're worried about using the Vision Pro with glasses, then fear not, as Apple
04:33 is offering prescription lenses.
04:34 These will come at a cost, of course, with Apple charging $99 for Zeiss optical inserts
04:39 - which are the same as readers - and $149 for Zeiss prescription optical inserts.
04:44 Apple will assess the lenses of your glasses in store by scanning them, and they will also
04:48 scan your face to assess the best light seal, or face cushion, to accompany your headset
04:53 to ensure the best fit and so that light doesn't leak through.
05:01 This is all part of the buying your Vision Pro headset experience.
05:04 But let's say you want to order your Vision Pro headset online.
05:07 Well, you will have the option of using your iPhone or iPad to scan your face, much like
05:11 you do with Face ID, and then have the Apple website suggest an appropriate light seal
05:15 and fit for your head.
05:17 There have been reports of these at-home fittings being a little hit and miss, but reportedly,
05:22 customers will be able to swap any ill-fitting light seals in store free of charge after
05:26 the fact, according to reports by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
05:29 Plenty of apps, but no Netflix, YouTube or Spotify.
05:33 The Vision Pro will be launching with a wide variety of apps to browse.
05:36 Apple's built-in apps will include many of the usual suspects, but what about third
05:40 party apps?
05:41 Well, Apple says that more than 1 million familiar apps will be available with Apple
05:45 Vision Pro from launch, with many Vision Pro exclusive apps also available.
05:49 Users will be able to multitask and use apps side by side while using the Vision Pro headset
05:54 too, allowing for unique, flexible workspaces.
06:00 Notable big-name apps with Vision Pro support include Disney+, Paramount+, Amazon Prime
06:05 Video, ESPN, Discovery+, Peacock and TikTok.
06:09 But you probably noticed a few omissions there, right?
06:12 Yep, Netflix, YouTube and Spotify are reportedly not building native apps for the Vision Pro.
06:18 At least, not yet.
06:19 That means that users will have to browse said services through the Safari web browser,
06:23 which as we all know, can be a little bit tedious.
06:26 In stark contrast, Disney+ is going the other way, and giving Apple Vision Pro users specially
06:30 designed screening environments and 3D-enabled content to enjoy on the Disney+ app.
06:36 Some of the confirmed 3D Disney+ content includes Encanto, Avengers Endgame and Avatar The Way
06:41 of Water.
06:54 It's set for a Feb 2024 launch.
07:00 Apple has announced that the Vision Pro headset is available for pre-order from January 19th,
07:05 and will officially launch on February 2nd, 2024.
07:08 So when can you actually get your hands on one?
07:10 Well, February 2nd is when it goes on sale online and in store.
07:14 When you'll receive that online order and which stores will actually offer the Vision
07:18 Pro custom fitting experience is a little more unclear.
07:21 As of the February 2nd launch date, the Vision Pro will be exclusive to the US, with rollout
07:26 to other countries expected later in 2024.
07:29 Bloomberg's Mark German expects that countries like the UK and Canada could get their hands
07:33 on the Vision Pro shortly after the US launch in Feb.
07:36 In terms of pricing, the Apple Vision Pro ain't cheap, retailing at £3499 for the
07:42 256GB model, while the 512GB and 1TB versions are priced at £3699 and £3899 respectively.
07:51 So, that's our list.
07:53 Are you excited for the launch of the Apple Vision Pro?
07:55 Let us know in the comments below.
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