Vision Pro: Apple’s new augmented reality headset unveiled

Apple has unveiled a much-anticipated augmented reality headset, Apple Vision Pro, in its first main {hardware} launch for nearly a decade.

Apple CEO Tim Cook mentioned the new headset “seamlessly blends the real world and the virtual world”.

The tech agency additionally introduced its newest iPhone working system, in addition to updates to MacBook Air.

The headset has a two-hour battery life, prices $3,499 (£2,849) and can be launched early subsequent 12 months within the US.

The value is significantly greater than digital reality headsets presently available on the market. Last week Meta introduced its Quest – which prices $449.

Apple mentioned little about generative synthetic intelligence – the buzzy expertise that’s the speak of Silicon Valley.

The firm’s share worth fell barely throughout the announcement, made at a developer’s convention at Apple Park, the corporate’s headquarters, in Cupertino, California.

The BBC is among the many media retailers on the occasion, however has but to check out the new system.

Apple Vision Pro appears completely different to comparable headsets available on the market – and is extra paying homage to a pair of ski goggles than a digital reality headset.

Apple used the phrase “augmented reality” to explain what the new system does.

Augmented reality, also referred to as combined reality, superimposes digital objects on the planet round us – enabling us to combine reality with digital reality by wanting by means of a display.

Users can entry apps, watch motion pictures, and write paperwork in a digital world. But thus far, there’s little proof of a giant marketplace for this sort of wearable tech.

Hartley Charlton, senior editor of MacRumors, was uncertain how a lot the headset would attraction to most of the people.

“It won’t appeal to mainstream consumers at first on account of its extremely high price point and immediate shortcomings as a first-generation device,” he mentioned, “such as its separate wired battery pack.”

But he mentioned Apple has a observe document of “overcoming scepticism” about new units, and has traditionally inspired folks to “part with their cash to add a new gadget to their repertoire”.

In his gross sales pitch, Mr Cook mentioned the headset permits customers to “see, hear and interact with digital content just like it’s in your physical space”.

It is managed through the use of a mixture of your palms, eyes and voice – reminiscent of tapping your fingers collectively to pick out, and flicking them to scroll.

The announcement comes every week after Meta and Lenovo introduced new iterations of their pre-existing virtual-reality headsets, that don’t superimpose objects onto a view of the actual world.

Meta has additionally invested closely in combined reality – however proper now the sector is struggling.

Apple’s final main {hardware} launch was for the Apple Watch system in 2015.

Thomas Husson, of Forrester Research, advised BBC News it could take time for Apple’s new headset to take off.

“The overall AR/VR space has been a bit overhyped over the past few years with the metaverse and that kind of experience,” he mentioned. “That’s the explanation why I feel it is going to take a bit extra time.

“Having mentioned that, if I advised you 10-15 years in the past that individuals can be able to pay virtually $2,000 for a cell phone, I do not suppose many individuals would have mentioned they’d be keen to pay that.”

Aside from the Vision Pro announcement, Apple additionally unveiled iOS17, the most recent model of its iPhone working system.

Updates embrace “contact posters” – a picture or image of yourself that will appear on a person’s phone when you call them – and “reside voicemail” – which offers a real-time transcription of an answerphone message being left to you.

This transcription can even apply to audio messages left utilizing Apple Messages.

And Apple has launched a system known as Check-In – which can mechanically inform a good friend or member of the family once you’ve arrived residence.

If your journey is considerably delayed, it has the facility to inform others that you haven’t made it residence safely but.

The new working system can be accessible in Autumn 2023.

Additional reporting by Shiona McCallum