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- 1 Apple has revealed their much-awaited MR headset in WWDC 2023.
- 2 Microsoft and Google are already pioneering the space.
People finally witnessed the biggest product launch of tech giant Apple during the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2023. The company gave a glimpse on their upcoming mixed reality (MR) headgear dubbed Apple Vision Pro. The announcement came a few days after Meta Platforms revealed the ‘most powerful device’ in their fleet, Meta Quest 3.
Metaverse Overshadowed, Again?
Although there was no mention of the term metaverse, the company has unconsciously revived the concept. Headsets continue to steal the show as the metaverse struggles to justify its existence. Apple Vision Pro focuses on spatial computing rather than the virtual world. Tim Cook, Apple CEO, said that “Today marks the beginning of a new era for computing.”
The iPhone maker delayed the launch last year saying the technology had some technical issues. Apple’s VP of Technology Development Group said during WWDC 2023 that, “Through a tight integration of hardware and software, we designed a standalone spatial computer in a compact wearable form factor that is the most advanced personal electronics device ever.”
Vision Pro comes with a 3D interface for applications ranging from workspace to entertainment. Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad are added to interact with applications in immersive surroundings seamlessly. Both the screens come with ultra high definition resolution to deliver a realistic environment while wearing the headgear.
According to the Apple Newsroom, the company has tailored the device for improved video conferencing too. The device can track eye and hand movement in real time. The user wearing the headgear can see other screens embedded in the physical environment while they witness a virtual Persona of a Vision Pro user during the facetime.
Security Up a Notch
User data is secured by the device only and not used by the company server, says Apple. It uses opticID for biometric data to access Vision Pro. Companies have lost a lot of trust from users after the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica Data Scandal during the 2010s.
Mixed Reality Sector to Feel The Heat Now
The device will be available for users next year with a hefty price tag of $3,499. Meta’s Quest Pro was labeled for $1,499 while Quest 3 for $499. Apple’s technology may seem groundbreaking, but its success will ultimately depend on sales. While the technology will certainly appeal to the masses, the price tag will limit its customer base.
Google revealed a similar technology but with a much lighter body, Google Glass, in April 2013. Presently, Google Glass is the most popular device in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) segment. Several believed the technology was ahead of its time upon the release. However, it suffered due to lofty prices and failed to gain mainstream traction.
In 2019, Microsoft came up with its MR device dubbed HoloLens which is similar to Apple Vision Pro. It featured spatial mapping, eye-tracking, a large field of view, and more, close to the iPhone maker’s latest toy in the town. With the arrival of Vision Pro, the MR industry may feel the heat soon. Statista, a global market metrics aggregator, predicts this sector will become a $3.6 Billion industry by 2025.
Anurag is working as a fundamental writer for The Coin Republic since 2021. He likes to exercise his curious muscles and research deep into a topic. Though he covers various aspects of the crypto industry, he is quite passionate about the Web3, NFTs, Gaming, and Metaverse, and envisions them as the future of the (digital) economy. A reader & writer at heart, he calls himself an “average guitar player” and a fun footballer.
