Apple’s mixed reality headset is now a reality. Tech Giant Apple Inc. finally launched Apple Vision Pro on Friday after months of hype. The virtual reality headset is now available in all the Apple stores across the United States. The headset is also available on the company website.
Apple CEO Tim Cook himself arrived at the company’s flagship Fifth Avenue store in New York city on Friday morning and celebrated the launch of the Vision Pro Headset. On Thursday, prior to the launching ceremony, Tim Cook praised the developers and said, “When Apple Vision Pro launches tomorrow, users will be able to explore more than 1 million apps, including 600 apps made specifically for Vision Pro! The creativity of developers is amazing, and this is just the beginning. Endless possibilities await!”
The company described Vision Pro, its mixed reality headset, as “the most advanced consumer electronics device ever created”. On justifying its hefty price tag of $3500, Tim Cook explained that the Vision Pro was expensive because it was “Tomorrow’s technology today”.
The company revealed the Apple Vision Pro in June, 2023 after years of rumor during its development stage. 2nd February, 2024 will be a memorable day for all the Apple-lovers as Apple Inc. released the first major new product on this day since it launched the Apple Watch in 2015.
The device already encountered some technical issues for which the company reduced more than half of its production forecast, dropping from an estimated one million units to only 400,000 in 2024 according to the Financial Times.
What is the Apple Vision Pro?
Apple Inc. first unveiled the headset in June last year at the ‘Worldwide Developers Conference’ as a device that integrates augmented and virtual reality. The users can control the 3D interface of the device with the help of their eyes, hands and voice.
To get a sense of what wearing the Vision Pro might feel like, Apple released an ad in January that shows the user’s viewpoint on the device, who then sees a series of apps around them.
Apple said that Vision Pro would permit users to plunge themselves into the company’s VisionOS operating system, which will support spatial FaceTime video, photos and apps. With Vision Pro, the users will be able to convert any space into a private entertainment hub for sports, TV, movies, and explore creative paths to work. Besides creating and consuming digital contents they can immerse themselves in captivating gaming and adventurous virtual locations as well.
“With the Max app for Apple Vision Pro, fans can transform their space using the Iron Throne Room environment for an immersive experience that brings viewers into the iconic Red Keep,” said Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content.
“The intricate Targaryen-era adornments will make fans feel like they’re watching the programming available on Max in Westeros during the height of their reign,” Casey added.
Apple said that the users would be able to experience ultra-high-resolution-displays. They also claimed that it would deliver more pixels than a 4K TV for each eye, and would allow users to watch contents of their choice on a 100-feet screen.
Tim Cook’s Interview With ‘Good Morning America’
During his visit to the Fifth Avenue store, Cook discussed the newly-released device and opined about what it means for the future with Good Morning America. “I think it’s going to be used in so many different ways because it’s a spatial computer,” Cook told the GMA co-host, Michael Strahan.
“You know, the iPhone introduced us to the mobile computer. The Mac introduced us to personal computers. This is the first spatial computer,” he continued. “A company only has a few of these. Most companies have none. We’ve had the Mac, the iPod, the iPad, the iPhone, the Apple Watch, and now the Vision Pro. It’s one of those moments,” Cook added.
It was shocking to find out that a very small number of tech-savvy people appeared in Apple’s Union Square store on Friday morning to check out the $3499 Vision Pro headset. Contrary to the large gathering of people at early iPhone launches, just a few dozen of people were found in the queue outside San Francisco’s flagship Apple store when doors opened at 8 a.m. Some were there to buy the new virtual reality device while most of the people in the queue were interested to check out the expensive technology first-hand.