Waiting for the “one more thing”... During the opening of Apple’s annual developer conference, CEO Tim Cook and other execs shared updates like FaceTime video voicemails and a feature that lets you AirDrop your contact info (“NameDrop”). But the real highlight came at the end: Apple’s long-rumored headset is no longer a rumor.
Vision Pro: Apple’s first new major product since the Apple Watch in 2014. The VR and AR headset looks like ski goggles and is packed with powerful tech. Apple calls it “the most advanced personal electronics device ever.” Might explain the $3.5K starting price.
Your phone on your face: Familiar apps virtually overlay your IRL environment. You can navigate with your eyes, scroll with your fingers, and use your voice to dictate. You can control your level of immersion, and the screen will digitally display your eyes when you’re talking to someone (looks less creepy than feared).
TL;DR: It removes the limitations of physical displays, bringing apps and windows into your space (instead of having three monitors).
Movie-theater experience… in your economy middle seat. While existing headsets have been marketed largely for gaming, Apple didn’t focus heavily on gaming in its presentation. The pitch was heavy on entertainment value: you can expand streaming-app shows into movie-theater-size screens (and spatial audio gives a surround-sound effect). Apple claims resolution is crystal clear thanks to 23M pixels, saying that’s more than a 4K TV for each eye. Disney boss Bob Iger even took the stage to share ways the House of Mouse will use VisionOS to bring its stories to life. Picture: 3-D Baby Yoda.