On Monday, June 5th, in Cupertino, California, Apple unveiled the Apple Vision Pro at their annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). This Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality headset, referred to as a “spatial computer,” represents a significant milestone in the evolution of immersive technology.
The device, resembling a pair of ski goggles, is covered with cameras and sensors. This feature enables users to control apps using their eyes, hands, and voice. An integrated dial serves as a unique function, allowing users to choose their level of engagement with reality, enabling them to either filter out or enhance their perceived environment.
The Apple Vision Pro revolutionizes user interactions with apps by providing a three-dimensional interface that transcends the confines of a computer or phone display. It allows apps to appear at any scale and size, fostering an extensive, personal display space.
FaceTime can facilitate conference calls and virtual meetings on the headset’s virtual display. As users have their faces covered by the headset, a digital avatar is produced using the device’s 3D camera array and eye tracking cameras.
Touted as an entertainment powerhouse, the Vision Pro boasts two ultra-high-resolution displays. These can metamorphose a physical room into a virtual movie theatre or games room, providing users with an immersive experience.
Apple launched this product at the WWDC in June. However, the Vision Pro won’t be available for purchase until 2024. This delay grants app developers sufficient time to build a thriving ecosystem of software. While Apple outlined several use cases in its press materials, they intend the device to serve as a base upon which developers and users construct their unique experiences.
Apple’s Track record
Looking back, when Apple launched the iPhone in 2007, apps like Uber, Deliveroo, or Instagram were non-existent. Since then, entire industries have grown out of the smartphone technology, including on-demand transport and short-form video.
The influence of the Apple Vision Pro could be equally transformative, although predicting specific areas of impact remains speculative. The rise of TikTok and the resulting social and political transformations due to pervasive social media were unforeseeable in 2007. Therefore, making predictions about the Vision Pro’s influence might be a risky venture.
Historically, Apple has not been the pioneer in creating new form factors. However, they have the knack of introducing these new form factors to vast audiences, catalyzing major societal shifts in the process. For instance, smartphones and Bluetooth earbuds existed before the iPhone and AirPods, respectively. Yet, it was Apple who turned these devices into coveted possessions, sported proudly by people across the globe. They might achieve a similar feat with Augmented/Virtual reality.
From marketing to entertainment, training and education, virtual workspaces, and data visualization and analytics, various sectors are likely to be impacted by the Vision Pro.
Sector shifts
Marketing techniques could be revolutionized. Property developers could now offer potential buyers a virtual tour of properties yet to be built. Similarly, customers could virtually tour hotels, resorts, or art galleries from their homes’ comfort.
The entertainment industry is also set for a major transformation. The Vision Pro, with its high-resolution displays, offers an unprecedented level of immersion, allowing users to watch movies on a massive, seemingly surrounding screen or step into virtual gaming environments.
Designers, creatives, and educational institutions may be among the early adopters of Vision Pro. It could provide a safe, cost-effective platform for training employees in high-risk situations, refining their skills in a controlled environment. VR could also provide immersive learning experiences in education, helping students explore complex concepts.
The Vision Pro offers an intriguing solution to enhance remote work. Virtual meeting platforms allow participants to collaborate in immersive environments as if in the same room, which could boost productivity, foster creativity, and enhance team dynamics.
Data visualization and analytics could also benefit from this technology. The Vision Pro could transform complex data sets into visually engaging and interactive representations, helping businesses make more informed decisions.
Summing up
While predicting the exact impact of Vision Pro is challenging, given Apple’s history of both successful and failed products, the device’s immense potential is undeniable. With an accessible development ecosystem, the Vision Pro is well-positioned to become a platform for developers and users to build their unique experiences. We eagerly await the product’s launch in 2024 and are excited to see how it will reshape our interactions with technology.