The Apple Vision Pro is a mixed-reality headset and a "spatial computer" developed by Apple. It was announced in June 2023 and became available in the United States in early 2024. The device is designed to seamlessly blend digital content with the physical world, creating a new form of computing.
Key Features and Technology
Spatial Computing: The Vision Pro runs on visionOS, a new operating system that allows users to interact with a three-dimensional interface. Apps can be placed and scaled anywhere in the user's physical space, blurring the line between reality and digital content.
High-Resolution Display: The headset uses a custom-built micro-OLED display system, with each of the two displays containing more pixels than a 4K television. This results in an incredibly sharp and vibrant viewing experience for virtual and augmented content.
Dual-Chip Performance: The device is powered by a unique dual-chip system:
M2 Chip: Handles the core processing, similar to a Mac.
R1 Chip: A new chip specifically designed to process input from the 12 cameras, 5 sensors, and 6 microphones in real-time. This ensures that the virtual experience is smooth and feels instantaneous.
Intuitive Interface: The Vision Pro is controlled entirely by a user's eyes, hands, and voice. Users can navigate by simply looking at items, select by tapping their fingers together, and dictate text by voice. This natural, controller-free interaction is a key selling point.
EyeSight Feature: A unique external display called EyeSight shows the user's eyes to people in the physical world when they are using augmented reality. This helps others know when the user is engaged with them or immersed in an app, improving social interaction.
Design and Audio: The headset features a laminated glass front and an aluminum alloy frame. The audio is delivered through integrated pods that provide Spatial Audio, creating a personalized and immersive soundscape that adapts to the user's environment. Power is supplied via an external battery pack connected by a cable, which offers up to two hours of use.
