Apple recently provided analysts and media, including Reuters, with an opportunity to test its Vision Pro headset, which comes with a hefty price tag of US$3499 ($5245). It is evident that the device is not yet targeted for the mass market, as a setup session with Apple staff and a visit to a vision specialist are required to ensure proper fit and functionality of the headset.
Instead of starting with a consumer version and gradually developing a “Pro” model, Apple has chosen to begin with the premium tier, aiming to lower prices as the technology advances, according to analyst Carolina Milanesi from Creative Strategies.
The Vision Pro headset features a “digital crown” similar to that of an Apple Watch, which enables users to tap and turn to seamlessly transition between the real world and the virtual world. Walking around a room or watching a 3D film feels natural, and users can even experience virtual butterflies landing on their outstretched hand.
During the demonstration to Reuters, the device encountered a glitch that required an Apple staff member to reboot it, indicating that there are still some technical issues to be resolved.
Here are some key observations from the demonstration:
- The real world and other people are always present. The default mode of the device allows users to see the outside world in full color. Even in a fully immersive virtual world, exterior cameras monitor for the presence of other individuals. If someone approaches the user, that person starts to appear through the virtual world.
- The entertainment industry, particularly Hollywood, is likely to show interest. Apple showcased “immersive videos” filmed with special proprietary cameras, allowing viewers to step inside and explore the surroundings.
- The sense of place can be striking. For example, in one video, a tightrope walker between two mountains moves closer to the viewer, creating an unsettling urge to look down into the daunting chasm below. However, the realism can also make ordinary details seem out of place in a polished production, such as a cheap plastic water bottle on a piano during a recording session with a famous singer.
- Apple has primarily focused on the business case for the Vision Pro headset, demonstrating its ability to use multiple apps simultaneously, similar to having multiple high-resolution displays. The company also showcased how two users can share and manipulate three-dimensional virtual objects during a conference call. These functions could find utility in the corporate world, where the price tag of Vision Pro would be considered an investment.
- Video calls using the headset will require some adjustment. Apple presented a FaceTime video call between two people wearing the device. The experience is similar to a regular video call but utilizes complex technology to project an image of the caller, rather than relying on a traditional handset or monitor camera.
- To create a virtual “persona” of the caller, displaying their facial expressions, the system employs pre-loaded pictures combined with data from the Vision Pro’s interior eye-tracking system and exterior hand-tracking cameras. However, the end result is human-like but not entirely accurate, which can lead to the “uncanny valley” effect, making users feel uneasy when faces resemble humans but have slight discrepancies.