Apple has just launched their new VR headset, Vision Pro, and people are going crazy over it. This is the second version of the Apple Vision Pro VR headset. Although the headset is relatively small, it has a whole computer inside it. According to Apple, this VR headset is a replacement for a PC, as it can perform pretty much every task a PC can. But is it true that it can replace a desktop? In this blog, we will put this claim to test and find out what’s going on with Apple’s latest creation.
What Is Apple Vision Pro?
The first thing that comes to mind is, what is an Apple Vision Pro? So, Apple Vision Pro is a VR headset that is created as a desktop replacement. Apple has fitted its robust silicon, M2, in it, making it one of the fastest machines on the planet. Apple claims that as time progresses, more and more people will lose interest in desktops and laptops, so there ought to be a proper replacement for it. The Vision Pro comes with two 4K displays for each eye and an in-built speaker module, so you don’t require any external speakers. But how does this translate in real life? Are these really a feature? Or just a gimmick? Let’s find out.
First Impressions
Upon first look, the Apple Vision Pro looks sleek and futuristic. It has big goggles in front, and the built quality is something that you would expect from an Apple product. The 4K screens present in the headset shoot 23-micron pixels that will leave you baffled. The Headset has 12 cameras in total, 6 internal and 6 external. The internal cameras keep tracking your eyes, while the external cameras keep an eye on the outside world.
Set-Up
Set-up of the device is quite easy and unique. As the new Apple Vision Pro is a PC replacement, it requires you to insert an input to perform tasks. In Apple Vision Pro’s case, you give your input with the help of your eyes and fingers. The external cameras present on the headset enable it to watch your finger, and the 6 internal cameras help with eye tracking. To get started, you first have to wear the headset and then go through an Apple iPhone-like 3D face-tracking process. Now, the headset will ask you to look at a number of dots on the screen for the eye-tracking features. You just have to follow the simple instructions given by the headset, and you’ll be ready before you even know it.
What Makes The Apple Vision Pro Special
There are a lot of things that make the new Apple Vision Pro special, so let’s just get right into it.
Resolution
One of the best things about the new Apple Vision Pro is that the screen fitted inside it boasts 4K resolution. The micro-OLED in Apple’s Vision Pro gives you a far more immersive view, which makes the experience a whole lot better. Moreover, the environments you see in the headset are high-resolution and high-quality. The difference between the environment you see on the screen and the actual thing is barely marginal. To have an immersive experience, the environment needs to be realistic, and Apple Vision Pro has it.
Eye Tracking And Gestures
As we mentioned above, the main argument of Apple is that Vision Pro is a desktop replacement, and for that reason, the headset comes with a bunch of eye tracking and hand gestures. These gestures help you perform tasks on your Apple Vision Pro. For instance, if you want to open YouTube, you just have to look at the YouTube app in your app drawer, and it will pop up now, just tap your thumb and index finger together to get into YouTube. The best part is that when you tap your fingers, you don’t need to pull your arm up in front of the headset; you can rest your hand calmly, and the headset will read your gesture, thanks to the 6 external cameras we mentioned above.
Full Immersion
This is where the new Apple Vision Pro shines. This VR headset can cut you off from the external world and create a world of its own. The 4K screens, eye tracking and built-in speakers present in the headset complement its immersive capabilities. You can also opt for a partial immersion. Let’s say you are sitting in a room, and you want to watch a movie on your headset; if you opt for partial immersion, the room will stay as it is, and a screen will come between your eyes and the walls of the room. This gives a feeling that you are really in the future. In the same way, all your apps and icons will also float in front of your wall, or you can choose to black out the background and fully immerse in the experience.
A Few Caveats
As with all things, Apple Vision Pro also has some downsides to it, and some of these downsides include:
Fit
The first thing you notice when you put on the headset is how heavy and big it is. However, the real problems start after 20 to 25 minutes. This is when you start to feel the weight of the headset on your head and neck.
Charger And Cable
Another thing that is annoying with the new Apple Vision Pro is that it has a very small battery that only lasts for around 2 hours of moderate use. So, if you want to enjoy long sessions you will have to buy a battery pack from Apple, which will be connected to the headset at all times, which can be annoying.
Price
This is the elephant in the room; the price of Apple Vision Pro is quite high, even according to Apple’s standards. The new Apple Vision Pro is priced at a whopping $3,499 or Rs. 2.9 Lakh. This is a lot for a thing that doesn’t even have a real-life application yet. You can buy a new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro at this price. So, Apple should reconsider their pricing for the product.
Our Verdict
There is no doubt that Apple Vision Pro is the future of computers, mobiles and laptops, but that future is still a few years away. In order for the masses to buy this thing, Apple will have to make it a lot cheaper and more ergonomically designed. That being said, Apple Vision Pro is far better than any other VR headset on the planet, and this is more like an experiment than an actual product.
