Apple's AR Headset, 'Vision Pro,' Priced at $3,499, Set to Launch Next Year
Apple has unveiled its new augmented reality headset, the 'Vision Pro,' with an initial price tag of $3,499. The highly-anticipated device is scheduled to be released early next year. We look forward to experiencing it firsthand as soon as possible. Thank you for joining us.
Introducing visionOS Software Platform for the Vision Pro Headset
Apple has announced the visionOS software platform, designed specifically for the Vision Pro headset. This spatial computing platform allows developers to create applications similar to those for iOS on iPhone or macOS for Mac. It is a groundbreaking operating system built from scratch to cater to spatial computing, providing a multi-app, 3D engine.
Apple's Latest Major Product Line: The Vision Pro Headset
Apple has finally unveiled its newest major product line, the Vision Pro headset. Although the crowd at Apple Park expressed excitement, the reaction to the augmented reality headset reveal was relatively subdued compared to earlier announcements, such as the iPad's new features and the ability to locate a lost Apple TV Siri Remote. While the headset offers similar functionalities to the iPhone, such as messaging, FaceTime, and web browsing, the standout feature was its ability to function as a Mac monitor.
Apple Stock Experiences Dip Following Vision Pro Headset Announcement
Apple's stock experienced a temporary decline after the much-anticipated announcement of the Vision Pro headset. However, it has since stabilized and remains relatively flat, as of 2:38 p.m. ET, albeit lower than its earlier high of $184.95.
Apple Unveils Revolutionary Augmented Reality Product: Vision Pro Headset
The Vision Pro headset utilizes the power of Apple's M2 chipset, along with the new R1 chip for real-time sensor processing. This combination fuels the innovative visionOS operating system, which creates an authentic digital presence for users during video calls, leveraging machine learning technology.
To address vision correction needs, Apple has collaborated with Zeiss to develop corrective lens add-ons. The headset employs high-speed IR cameras and LED illuminators to track the user's eyes, eliminating the need for cumbersome controllers.
Control of the Vision Pro headset is achieved through various means, including hand gestures, eye tracking, and voice commands. Users can embark on a unique and immersive experience, reliving their cherished memories in a completely novel way. The headset boasts a 23-million pixel panel, surpassing the pixel count of a 4K television per eye.
Apple's partnership with Disney aims to enhance the viewing experience of Disney's content through Apple's VR technology. The demo showcased a three-dimensional visualization of a basketball court and an immersive National Geographic application that transported users to the depths of the ocean. Disney+ will be available on the Vision Pro headset from day one.
“You can create a private moment of calm,” an Apple executive said. It’s multi-tasking enabled and can visualize images and three-dimensional renders in the mixed-reality environment.
The Vision Pro headset incorporates eye and hand tracking capabilities, enabling users to navigate the augmented reality environment seamlessly and interact with digital objects. The advanced tracking technology ensures precise and natural movements, allowing users to manipulate virtual elements with ease.
Apple's visionOS software platform is the driving force behind the immersive experiences offered by the Vision Pro headset. The platform enables developers to create captivating AR applications that leverage the headset's capabilities fully. With its multi-app support and powerful 3D engine, visionOS empowers developers to bring their creative visions to life.
In addition to the Vision Pro headset, Apple also made exciting announcements regarding its software updates. iOS 17, the latest iteration of Apple's mobile operating system, promises significant enhancements in terms of performance, security, and user experience. With iOS 17, Apple aims to provide a seamless and intuitive interface for iPhone and iPad users, making their daily tasks more efficient and enjoyable.
Moreover, Apple surprised its audience with the introduction of the 15-inch MacBook Air, the latest addition to its lineup of laptops. The new MacBook Air boasts a sleek design, powerful performance, and an impressive Retina display. It is equipped with the latest M2 chip, ensuring smooth multitasking and seamless integration with other Apple devices.
Apple's commitment to privacy and security was also emphasized during the event. The company highlighted its efforts to protect user data and maintain transparency in its data practices. With features like App Privacy Report and on-device Siri speech recognition, Apple continues to prioritize user privacy and ensure a secure digital environment.
Apple announces watchOS 10 for Apple Watch with widgets
Apple just announced watchOS 10, the latest software for the Apple Watch.
Mac Watch OS10
Source: Apple
Here’s what’s new:
- Users can turn the digital crown to reveal widgets, like the weather and calendar.
- Users can long press to add a widget to their smart stack.
- Apple introduced new apps like world clock, which features clocks that have background colors that reflect the time of day.
- When users rotate the digital crown, it shows new, full-screen displays.
- Two new watch faces are available, including a Snoopy and Woodstock watch face and a palate watch face.
- Users can access new active features, like cycling and hiking. Cycling workouts from the watch will show up on paired iPhone devices, and hikers will have access to new topography elevation details.
- Developers will also be able to use new workout APIs, so users can start a workout from apps like Training Peaks, for example.
- In the health app, users will be able to use screening tools and resources to support and evaluate their mental health.
- WatchOS 10 can measure the amount of time users spend in daylight, as well as how close users’ screens are to their eyes. Apple said these new features can help prevent conditions like myopia.
The software will be available to all users next fall.
FaceTime is coming to Apple TV
FaceTime on Apple TV
Source: Apple
Apple announced several new tvOS updates on Monday. One highlight: FaceTime is coming to Apple TV. You can use your camera on the iPad or iPhone and view the people you’re talking to on your big screen.
Apple also said you’ll soon be able to find your lost Apple TV remote using FindMy, so long as you have the newer Siri remote.
-- Todd Haselton
Apple announces AirPods software updates
Apple announced new audio and home experiences, including new features for its AirPods headphones.
The company introduced adaptive audio, which blends transparency and noise cancellation to match the environment that users are in. It works when listening to music and taking calls.
--Ashley Capoot
Apple announces macOS Sonoma for Macs
Apple just announced its latest Mac software. It’s called macOS Sonoma, named for California’s vineyard country. Here’s what’s new:
- New Gaming functionality, taking advantage of Apple’s more powerful graphics processing units and Apple’s Metal 3 framework.
- Expanded video-conferencing functionality through FaceTime. New overlay functions allow customers to appear on-top or alongside their presentations.
- New AR functionality for full-screen reactions that’ll also be available in Zoom, Teams, and WebEx.
- Game Mode will prioritize the game’s utilization of processing power, allowing more consistent framerates.
- Widgets are coming to the macOS on the desktop. They used to live in the Mac’s Notification Center. Like the iPad, they’ll be interactive and developer-enabled.
- Screensavers, like on tvOS, will be coming to macOS.
- Safari is getting some under-the-hood improvements and enhanced Private Browsing functionality.
— Rohan Goswami
Apple announces new iPadOS 17 software for iPad
Apple Health
Source: Apple
Apple just announced the latest iPadOS 17 software for the iPad.
Here’s a rundown of the new features:
- Multiple timers for iPad, at last. “We truly live in an age of wonders,” Apple executive Craig Federighi said.
- The Health app has been added to the iPad as well.
- Machine-learning tech for PDFs to identify fields even if they’re not built into the PDF.
- Expanded functionality for iPad’s widgets, including enhanced interactivity for third-party developers. Apple showcased functionality for Quizlet.
- New customization options for the iPad lockscreen, similar to how iPhone users can customize their lockscreens. Weather, photo shuffle, and emojis are all part of the offering.
- Live Activity, a la iOS, which creates a widget-like functionality for users to track scores, delivery orders, or other developer-customizable continually updating information.
— Rohan Goswami
Apple introduces Standby which lets your iPhone work like a bedside clock
Apple Standby
Source: Apple
Apple introduced a new experience called Standby, which will show up for users when they place their iPhone on its side using a stand.
The iPhone screen will show the time, and users can pick from a variety of different clocks. Users can also swipe to engage with widgets like weather and home controls. The screen adapts to low light to help users sleep.
Apple Standby
Source: Apple
Users can also ask Siri to do tasks like play music or set timers, completely hands-free.
Apple announces iOS 17 with a slew of new features.
Apple just announced iOS 17, which includes a bunch of changes coming to the iPhone.
Apple is unveiling updates to three apps, Phone, Facetime, and Messages.
- Personalized contact posters, either using photos or Memoji, will allow users to choose their contact card for other users. Live transcription, in real-time, will also be coming for phone voicemails.
- Facetime will finally get a voicemail functionality, allowing users to leave a video message for their friends.
- And messaging will be revamped with more powerful search functionality and a catch-up feature for group chats. You can also see the location of your friends while messaging them.
- New stickers live in a “drawer,” with apparently expanded options including emoji expansion and rotatable optionality.
- Live photos can also be made into an animated sticker.
- A Check-in feature lets you tell a family member or friend when you’re home. Or, if you’re delayed, it’ll tell your friend that, too
- Messaging apps will now have a different layout, expanding to take up the full screen.
- Users can now bump two iPhones or Apple Watches together to share contacts, music, internet, or other shared activities with each other, a feature called “NameDrop.”
— Rohan Goswami
Apple unveils new $6,999 Mac Pro with M2 Ultra, replacing Intel chip
Apple just announced a new Mac Pro, its highest-end desktop computer, with the M2 Ultra chip. It’s the last Apple computer to ditch Intel for Apple silicon. It starts at $6,999.
It’ll feature the M2 Ultra’s 24-core CPU, support up to a 76-core GPU, eight Thunderbolt 4 ports, and up to six of Apple’s high-end Pro Display XDR.
Both products can be ordered today for availability next week.
It’s a game-changing move for high-end Apple computers, which historically relied on Intel chipsets until recently.
— Rohan Goswami
Apple announces updated Mac Studio with M2 Max or M2 Ultra chips
Apple just announced a series of updates for Mac Studio. It can be configured with either Apple’s M2 Max or M2 Ultra chips.
--Ashley Capoot
Apple unveils 15-inch MacBook Air for $1299
Macbook Air as shown at WWDC 2023.
Apple
Apple just unveiled the 15-inch MacBook Air. It’s 11.5mm thick, just over 3 pounds, and powered by Apple’s own M2 chipset. The video demo showcased a standard headphone jack, two USB-C ports, and Apple’s MagSafe charging dock.
The laptop will ship in four colors, including Midnight and Starlight. The laptop features an 18-hour battery with an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU
It costs $1,299. The 13-inch version will now cost $1,099. Customers can order it today and it’ll be available next week.
— Rohan Goswami
Tim Cook has just taken the stage: ‘This is going to be a historic day’
Apple CEO Tim Cook has just arrived on stage. He’s expected to unveil Apple’s virtual reality headset and the slew of developer and tech features that have typified past WWDCs. “This is going to be a historic day,” he said.
“This morning’s announcements, deep integration with hardware software and services, it’s something only Apple can do. Today we’re going to make some of our biggest announcements at WWDC. As well as introducing some exciting new products.”
— Rohan Goswami
Virtual reality has been tough for competitors. But Apple may succeed where others failed.
Apple has a long track record at bringing disruptive products to sleepy markets and galvanizing demand. The company pioneering products, the iPod, the iPhone, and the iPad, disrupted their respective sectors.
Virtual reality products have struggled for years to gain consumer adoption and maintain institutional support. Microsoft made a play with the HoloLens, and Meta’s bet-the-house move on its Reality Labs vertical has disappointed some investors and analysts.
But Apple’s reputation as an innovator may allow it to succeed where others have failed, with time.
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