Apple Vision Pro Price reveals : The New $3,499 AR Headset by Apple - Release Date, Features, and More

After experiencing multiple delays, Apple has finally entered the realm of augmented reality glasses with the introduction of Apple Vision Pro. CEO Tim Cook described the device as a seamless integration of the real and digital worlds, emphasizing that it is the first Apple product meant to be looked through rather than looked at. Resembling a pair of ski goggles, the headset features a separate battery pack and can be controlled through eye movements, hand gestures, and voice commands. Scheduled for an early launch next year, the Vision Pro will initially debut in the US market, with plans to expand to other countries later on.

While primarily designed as an augmented reality device, the Vision Pro can switch between augmented and full virtual reality modes using a dial. Operating without the need for a physical controller, users navigate the interface, named visionOS, by directing their gaze at rows of app icons. Selections can be made through taps and scrolling is achieved through flick gestures. Voice commands are also supported. Additionally, the headset is compatible with Bluetooth accessories such as the Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad, allowing users to connect their Mac and use it within the headset. The device's downward-facing cameras are capable of capturing hand movements, even when hands are positioned low on the body.

The headset itself boasts a glass front and an aluminum frame, housing a range of features including five sensors, 12 cameras, and a 4K display for each eye. The computer component, featuring a fan for cooling purposes, is incorporated into the design. Apple provides a cloth-lined modular mask called the "Light Seal" and a ribbed "Head Band" that flexibly adjusts to fit various face shapes and head sizes. Users who wear glasses can utilize custom optical inserts created by Zeiss, which magnetically attach to the lenses. An external battery, lasting up to two hours, can be connected via a flexible woven cable, making it convenient to slip into a pocket. Alternatively, it can be plugged into an external power source for all-day usage. Apple assures users that the display will deliver unprecedented sharpness and support 4K video.

The system is powered by the M2 chip, accompanied by a new chip named the R1. Apple ensures that users wearing the Vision Pro headset won't feel isolated from their surroundings. The device incorporates EyeSight, a system that displays the user's eyes, while a glowing screen obscures them when in full virtual reality mode to indicate unavailability. Additionally, the device creates a digital "persona" or hyperrealistic avatar by scanning the user's face. With the aid of passthrough video technology, users can perceive the real world in full color while projecting 3D objects into their physical environment, even extracting objects from message threads into reality.

Spatial audio enhances remote interactions by enabling users to arrange FaceTime participants as "video tiles" throughout the room. Moreover, users can capture and relive 180-degree videos using the headset's integrated 3D camera. Apple also highlights the availability of TV and Arcade content on the headset, including premium offerings from Disney.

The development of this headset has been a long-standing endeavor for Apple, undergoing various iterations and experiencing multiple delays. Positioned as CEO Tim Cook's signature addition to the Apple product lineup, the Vision Pro has received positive feedback from industry insiders, despite entering a market that has not yet fully taken off. Meta, a major competitor, has achieved relative success with its gaming-focused Quest 2 headset, while its general-purpose Quest Pro has received a more mixed reception.