The Rise of Apple Vision Pro: What It Means for Our Future
The future has arrived and it’s packaged as Apple’s latest innovation – the Apple Vision Pro headset. Seamlessly combining both Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) into one powerful device, this headset is Apple’s debut in spatial computing.
As an animation and motion graphics studio on the pulse of AR/VR innovations, we’re stoked about the new world of opportunities the Apple Vision Pro headset has unlocked for AR and VR companies! Users can now experience an unparalleled level of immersion, while brands can unlock a new platform for interactive marketing. Check out these VR marketing examples for inspiration.
Introducing the Apple Vision Pro
The key innovation of the Apple Vision Pro is its ability to combine both AR and VR capabilities into one seamless experience. This mixed reality gives users the best of both worlds. The AR features allow you to project digital information over the real world, while the VR features provide full immersion into virtual environments. Although the Apple Vision Pro isn’t the first VR headset, here are some of its standout features.
Infinite Canvas
The Apple Vision Pro utilises spatial computing, which allows users to interact with virtual objects and information in a 3D space. While this is similar to technologies found in headsets like the Meta Quest Pro, Apple is taking spatial computing to the next level with features like Infinite Canvas. This feature lets users switch easily between different apps and programs, expanding the versatility of the headset for both work and play.
Spatial Videos
Relive your memories with Apple’s first 3D camera! That’s right, the Apple Vision Pro lets you take pictures and record videos in 3D. Thanks to its stereoscopic cameras, the incredible depth perception and 3D technology brings your memories to life.
Experience photos and videos in an immersive spatial format as they expand to life-size scale, with panoramas wrapping all around you. Alongside spatial audio, the experience becomes even more realistic- it’s as though you’re transported back to the scene!
Fast Image Processing
When using a VR headset, the “reality” you see is a processed image, not the actual environment. If the processors lag behind, it can result in jitter or delays, potentially causing motion sickness. The Apple Vision Pro eliminates this issue with a dual-chip design.
Alongside the M2, their brand new R1 chip can stream new images to the displays within 12 milliseconds – 8x faster than the blink of an eye! The R1 chip processes input from 12 cameras, five sensors, and six microphones to ensure that content is appearing right before your eyes for maximum immersion.
Technological Advancements
Here’s a deeper look at the Apple Vision Pro’s technical specifications and the advancements it has made in the field of AR/VR.
Displays: Dual 3D display system with Micro-OLED displays
Processors: Apple M2 and R1 chips
Sensors: LiDAR scanner, Two high‑resolution main cameras, Six world‑facing tracking cameras, Four eye‑tracking cameras, TrueDepth camera, Four inertial measurement units (IMUs), Flicker sensor, Ambient light sensor
Audio: Spatial audio with beamforming speakers
Tracking: Hand Tracking, Eye Tracking, Face Tracking
Operating System: VisionOS
Ultra-high-resolution Display
In terms of display, Apple Vision stands head and shoulders above the competition with 23 million pixels across dual Micro OLED displays – one for each eye. That’s nearly 2.5x more pixels than similar high-end headsets like the HP Reverb G2 or Pimax 8K X. It also surpasses the resolution of most 4K televisions on the market today. This creates crisp image quality and an immersion which has never been experienced before.
Eye Tracking
The Apple Vision Pro’s user interface is controlled via hand and eye gestures! Using intuitive inputs like eye tracking with IR cameras, voice commands via a 6-mic array, and hand gestures sensed by IMUs. This allows for a seamless and intuitive control of the 3D interface. However, eye tracking is best used in bright lighting as the sensors are less sensitive in low visibility conditions. Despite this limitation, it is a remarkable achievement in AR/VR technology.
Sensory Integration
The Sensory integration stands out with features like spatial audio, which uses beamforming to map sounds precisely to the environment, and LiDAR/cameras, which provides real-time room scanning for accurate AR overlays. The tight integration of sensor data allows Vision Pro to feel astonishingly present, with audio, visuals and inputs working in harmony. This combination of display resolution, wide field of view, multimodal inputs, and sensory integration sets a new standard for spatial computing.
Impact on AR/VR industries
Sparking new interest in AR/VR
Apple’s strong brand loyalty and marketing muscle will likely attract fresh interest and acceptance of AR/VR technology in the mainstream. The Apple’s Vision Pro’s seamless integration with the ecosystem could also convert existing apple users into users of VisionOS.
Fiercer competition
With its technological capabilities, the Apple Vision Pro will spur fiercer competition, especially from metaverse-focused rivals like Meta. Meta’s latest headset, the Quest 3 is priced seven times lower than the Apple Vision Pro (US$499 vs US$3,499). Currently, Meta’s Quest headsets account for 75% of the total market share for VR headsets. With the Apple Vision Pro threatening Meta’s dominance, we can expect Meta to ramp up their development for improved AR/VR experiences. Though it’s unlikely, we may even see Meta reducing their prices to provide more cost-effective solutions for budget-conscious consumers to counter Apple’s prestige branding.
Startups in the AR/VR space may also get an influx of funding as investor interest in spatial computing ramps up. If AR/VR technology becomes more mainstream, we’ll likely see more investors funding startups specialising in areas like hyper realistic 3D animations, 3D spatial mapping, multi-user networking, neural interface controls and other software or hardware innovations.
Higher consumer expectations
Increased consumer access to immersive experiences will raise user expectations for seamless AR/VR integration across industries like entertainment, marketing, healthcare and more. There may be an explosion of new apps and digital content as developers rush to populate the Vision Pro ecosystem.
Over 1000 spatial apps have been specifically designed for the Apple Vision Pro, and more is to come if the technology takes off. The headset is already compatible with more than 1.5 million iOS and iPad apps, but spatial apps are designed around the Vision Pro’s immersive capabilities. With more apps catered to AR/VR functionality, consumer expectations towards immersive experiences would be heightened!
Applications and Use Cases
Having over a million compatible apps opens Apple’s Vision Pro to various use cases.
Entertainment
VR/AR isn’t new to the gaming industry. The Apple Vision Pro’s advancements in spatial computing will make games feel even more immersive and realistic. With streaming giants like Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video developing spatial apps for the Vision Pro, users can be virtually transported into their favourite shows.
Currently, more than 100 Apple Arcade games are available on Apple Vision Pro. Users can play games on any size screen they desire, featuring immersive audio and compatibility with popular game controllers.
Productivity
With Vision Pro’s infinite canvas, you can open multiple screens simultaneously. Apple’s headset makes navigation simple, intuitive and responsive. Say goodbye to a traditional work set up with multiple monitors! Users can now streamline their process with multiple screens on a virtual space.
Apple’s Vision Pro also supports a wide range of applications, including Apple’s Freeform and Keynote tools, as well as third-party productivity solutions like Microsoft Excel, Word, Teams, Cisco, and Zoom. This extensive compatibility allows businesses to establish immersive and collaborative workspaces effectively.
Healthcare
The Apple VR Pro also has applications in healthcare, potentially providing aid in medical training, patient education, and telehealth. Through virtual situations in the Vision Pro, surgeons can use it as a training tool before practising on an actual patient.
Healthcare professionals can also interact with patients immersively, enhancing consultation experiences, which is particularly advantageous for patients with limited mobility. Since the headset can facilitate diagnosis and visualisation with high-quality AR/VR video and image capabilities, it enables thorough examinations and a better understanding of anatomy and medical conditions.
Education
With the Apple Vision Pro, students can collaborate in augmented virtual classrooms or explore virtual recreations of inaccessible places like outer space or historical cities, which makes learning more engaging and memorable
Moreover, the headset can provide a safe environment for hands-on training with realistic simulations. For example, students in architecture can virtually test their 3D renders and environments. Likewise, engineering students can test their mechanical designs, identifying flaws and potential hazards without having to build a physical prototype.
Social
The Vision Pro revolutionises communication by introducing a new level of immersion to video calling. With life-size tiles, spatial audio, and digital avatars that mimic users’ facial expressions, hand gestures, and voices in real time, FaceTime simulates real-life interactions, making it feel as though you’re talking face-to-face.
Consumer Accessibility and Adoption
The possibilities are endless when both consumers and professionals optimise the capabilities of Apple’s first spatial computer – But, the Vision Pro’s high price-point is the biggest barrier for most users.
Another barrier is technical literacy – consumers will need guidance on how to navigate VR spaces and leverage the device’s AR/VR capabilities. For greater accessibility, Apple will need to ensure the user experience is as intuitive as possible.
Content availability also poses a chicken-and-egg problem. Although the VisionOS is compatible with over a million apps, notable holdouts include YouTube, Netflix and Spotify, which may be a deterrent.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the launch of the Apple Vision Pro signals a new future for spatial computing and immersive experiences. This has the potential to fundamentally transform how we connect, work, and play.
As more consumers get hands-on experience with its immersive capabilities, we’ll likely see ripple effects across the tech industry, and when Mixed Reality technology hits the mainstream, it’s going to get exciting! Get in touch with us to stay ahead of the trends by incorporating AR/VR into your services!