Apple has finally unveiled launch specifics for its much-hyped Vision Pro headset after years of rumors and speculation. The technology giant announced that Vision Pro will be available in the United States beginning February 2nd, with pre-orders opening on January 19th.
A High-End Headset Aimed at Blending VR and AR
The Vision Pro aims to push the boundaries of virtual and augmented reality technology in a sleek, high-end package reminiscent of Apple’s design ethos.
As described by Apple and reported widely across tech publications, the Vision Pro headsets will feature:
- Extremely high-resolution displays for immersive visuals
- Spatial audio for deeply realistic sound
- Hand tracking capabilities with no need for controllers
- Face tracking and eye tracking sensors
- Powerful on-board processing for smooth performance
- The ability to seamlessly switch between AR and VR modes
With a starting price of $2,999, the Vision Pro is clearly targeting early adopters and creative professionals rather than average consumers.
Launch Timeline and Availability
Apple announced the official US launch date and timeline as follows:
- January 19: Pre-orders open
- February 2: Headsets begin shipping and launch in Apple retail stores
Supplies may be constrained, at least initially, as production ramps up. But Apple is reportedly shipping units to warehouses and retail stores already to stock shelves for launch day.
Availability in other countries remains unclear for now, though Canada, UK, EU, Japan, and Australia launches are expected later in 2023.
Critical Reception and Expectations
Thus far, critical reception to Vision Pro pre-release hands-on reviews has been largely positive:
| Publication | Summary of Pre-Launch Assessment |
|---|---|
| The Verge | “We’re still waiting on the full review, but I think Apple made something special here” |
| Wired | “It’s difficult to imagine a more polished device coming from any other company” |
| Wall Street Journal | “Vision Pro feels like an Apple product through and through, which bodes well for its mainstream appeal” |
However, there are also big questions around whether the general public is ready to embrace expensive, bleeding edge mixed reality hardware and software.
Analysts seem moderately optimistic about demand, with estimated 2023 sales forecasts ranging from 2 million to 5 million units worldwide. Though still a small market compared to smartphones, estimates would represent strong growth for a new product category.
Meanwhile, Apple’s stock saw nice gains following the Vision Pro announcement and launch specifics:
Investors are betting that Apple’s marketed strengths around premium hardware, software ecosystem lock-in, and privacy protections will give it an edge over competing products from Meta and others.
Hardware Specifications and Features
Vision Pro touts extremely advanced display and sensor capabilities representing the cutting edge of consumer mixed reality technologies today.
Some highlighted Vision Pro hardware specs per Apple’s announcements include:
- Displays with resolution exceeding 3,500 pixels per inch
- Ultra-fast sensor sampling rates up to 7,000Hz
- Accelerometers, gyroscopes, proximity sensors, eye tracking cameras, depth sensors, ambient light sensors, and more
- Multiple processor chips including Apple’s latest custom silicon
- Swappable head straps for better weight distribution
The processing power and sensor fusion on board aims to enable responsive, lag-free experiences without reliance on connectivity to an external device. The headset can operate fully untethered.
Advanced hand tracking means Vision Pro recognizes precise movements of users’ fingers, with no need for traditional controllers. Spatial audio promises cinema-quality surround sound that adjusts in real time based on the virtual environment.
Software Ecosystem Still Developing
While Apple talked up some of the multi-sensory experiences that will be enabled by Vision Pro hardware, their suite of compatible software is still limited at launch.
Apple has updated Xcode to allow app developers to start building and submitting Vision Pro-compatible apps to the App Store. Several popular apps like What the Golf? have announced spatial versions launching alongside Vision Pro.
Disney, Sony, and other studios are bringing 3D movies to the headsets. Apple itself is launching some experiential demos to showcase VR gaming, video conferencing, online shopping potential, and more.
But much of the killer app potential remains untapped, and will depend on developers seizing the new capabilities over the next year. Analysts warn the shortage of must-have use cases could slow mainstream adoption. Still, Apple’s vision of blending AR and VR modes could ultimately prove revolutionary in fields like design, education, fitness, social spaces, and location-based entertainment.
What’s Next?
While Vision Pro leads Apple’s charge into modern mixed reality, their ambitions don’t stop there based on credible reports.
Rumors suggest Apple is already prototyping or working on:
- A lower cost follow up to Vision Pro, perhaps called Vision One
- Sleeker AR-focused smart glasses that rely on iPhone processing
- Dedicated Apple Car hardware and software
- And other advanced concepts like neural interface technologies
For now Vision Pro represents Apple’s high-end play to push mixed reality forward. We’ll know soon how consumers and professionals respond. But Apple’s enormous resources and the hints at their broader roadmap suggest the new product category has their full attention across the next decade.
So while far from assured, Vision Pro could spearhead Apple leading the next computing platform shift once again.
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
