Apple has officially announced the availability of its groundbreaking spatial computer, Apple Vision Pro, starting Friday, February 2, at all U.S. Apple Store locations and online. The Vision Pro, introduced last year, revolutionizes how people work, connect, and experience entertainment, Vision Pro integrates digital content seamlessly with the physical world. This special computing device was previously speculated to hit the shelves on January.
Powered by the revolutionary visionOS, built on decades of engineering innovation, the device introduces a three-dimensional user interface controlled by a user’s eyes, hands, and voice. This marks a significant milestone in the era of spatial computing, according to Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.
The all-new App Store for Vision Pro grants users access to over 1 million compatible apps across iOS and iPadOS, along with unique experiences leveraging the device’s distinctive capabilities. However, how many of them will be available on day 1, still remains an important question. Pre-orders for Apple Vision Pro open on Friday, January 19, at 5 a.m. PST. The operating system, visionOS, provides an immersive spatial experience, featuring intuitive gestures for interactions such as tapping fingers, flicking wrists to scroll, and using a virtual keyboard or dictation for typing. Siri integration allows users to swiftly open or close apps, play media, and more.
FaceTime becomes spatial on Vision Pro with a life-size appearance for everyone on a call
VisionOS introduces Environments, offering dynamic landscapes like national parks and the moon. It enables users to expand their world beyond physical dimensions. The display system boasts more pixels than a 4K TV for each eye. It enhances the viewing experience for streaming services, including Apple TV+, Disney+, and more. Apple Immersive Video puts users inside the action with 180-degree, three-dimensional 8K recordings. This is accompanied by Spatial Audio that Apple has developed for this purpose.
Gaming experiences on Vision Pro extend to over 250 titles on Apple Arcade. It includes popular games like NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition and Sonic Dream Team. FaceTime becomes spatial on Vision Pro, creating a life-size appearance for everyone on a call, with Spatial Audio enhancing the perception of voice location. The M2 chip and the new R1 chip power the breakthrough display, advanced audio experiences, and a high-performance eye-tracking system. Everything is done inside a compact wearable form factor.
Accessibility is a priority in visionOS, with key features like VoiceOver, Zoom, Switch Control, Guided Access, and more. Users can interact with Vision Pro entirely using their eyes, hands, voice, or any combination that suits them. Pointer Control, Dwell Control, and Voice Control provide flexible input methods, ensuring a seamless experience for users with diverse needs. Apple Vision Pro sets a new standard in spatial computing, redefining the possibilities of immersive technology for everyday use.