Apple's Vision Pro headset to launch on Feb. 2
Apple is set to drop its Vision Pro headset in the United States on Feb. 2, two weeks after the start of its pre-order period on Jan. 19.
The American tech giant announced the release date of its highly anticipated mixed reality headset on Monday, Jan. 8, saying that it will cost $3,499 (P194,798) before tax.
"The era of spatial computing has arrived," CEO Tim Cook said. "Apple Vision Pro is the most advanced consumer electronics device ever created. Its revolutionary and magical user interface will redefine how we connect, create, and explore."
As stated on Apple's website, the Vision Pro provides a mix of digital and physical worlds along with "powerful spatial experiences in visionOS" controlled by the eyes, hands, and voice of users. This means they can use apps just by "looking at them, tapping their fingers to select, flicking their wrist to scroll, or using a virtual keyboard or dictation to type." They can also open or close programs, play songs and videos, among others, with the help of Siri.
The new gadget features a new App Store with over a million compatible apps across iOS and iPadOS, which likewise makes it perfect for gaming. Apple said users can play games on a "screen as large as they want," elevating the gaming experience with audio and support for known game controllers.
It also promises the "ultimate entertainment experience" via ultra-high resolution displays with pixels that go beyond that of a 4K television for each eye, "enabling users to watch movies and TV shows from Apple TV+, Disney+, Max, and other services on a screen that feels 100 feet wide with support for HDR content." It comes with the Apple Immersive Video, letting users engage in interactive experiences as it "puts them inside the action with 180-degree, three-dimensional 8K recordings captured with Spatial Audio."
According to AFP, the headset has been in development for years. The Vision Pro would mark its first major release since the Apple Watch in 2015, it reported.