Apple unveiled its long-awaited mixed reality goggles at WWDC 2023’s “one more thing” segment. Named the Vision Pro, this new device that Apple views as the “next iPhone moment” is the company’s first foray into mixed reality. It comes with a completely new operating system called visionOS and features such as Spatial Audio. Let’s delve into the details.
Introducing the Apple Vision Pro
The Vision Pro is primarily positioned as an AR device but can switch between augmented reality and full virtual reality using a dial. The device is controller-free and to open apps, you just need to look at them. You can select by touching and swipe by lightly tapping. Voice commands are also an option. Basically, with Vision Pro, all you need is a room.
When talking remotely with people, spatial sound is used for tasks such as arranging FaceTime participants around the room as “video tiles”. Additionally, as Apple promises, you won’t be isolated from the people around you. The headset will image your eyes with a system called EyeSight and if you’re in full VR, a glowing screen will hide them, indicating that you are not available.
Disney+ coming from day one
The device uses passthrough video to allow you to see the real world in full color. Apple says that with the device, 3D objects can be reflected into real space, including pulling objects from a message thread into the real world. Apple also showcased TV and Arcade content, including premium content from Disney, through the headset. Disney introduced themed experiences for sports, Star Wars, Marvel, National Geographic, and more with Apple’s Vision Pro headset. Disney+ will be available for the headset when it is launched. Vision Pro also offers a cinematic video viewing experience by scaling the screen beyond the dimensions of your room. Vision Pro also displays depth in video with “Apple’s first 3D camera” and Spatial Audio.
Apple says that the camera can be used to capture special moments with depth information added, and clarifies when a person is recording video and when they’re not. Apple says that Vision Pro supports more than 100 different games from the Arcade library and that the system can be paired with a PS5 or Xbox controller if needed.
The Vision Pro also allows users to connect to their Macs and expand their screen in a virtual space, including apps running on the Vision Pro itself.
Cameras and Sensors
The entire front of the headset is made of glass, embellished with a light aluminum frame. The insides of the device include five sensors, 12 cameras, a screen, and seemingly a chip cooled with a fan. There’s a button and a Digital Crown on the top of the headset. The Vision Pro, which has a modular system for optimum fit, houses audiopods on its sides. The headset’s battery is separate and connects to the side of the headset with a magnetic connection.
The Vision Pro includes a microOLED Apple silicon back panel and has 23 million pixels on its two screen panels. 4K video can be processed at full resolution. Vision Pro features a new Spatial Audio system that provides ambient sound. The Vision Pro matches sound with the environment using beam tracking for sound. The device includes an M2 chip paired
with a new “R1” chip dedicated to real-time sensor processing.
iPhone and iPad applications will be able to run on visionOS to provide a plethora of apps after the device’s launch. In addition to compatible iPhone and iPad applications, a brand new App Store will allow users to explore apps developed specifically for visionOS. On the security front, the Vision Pro will come equipped with an Optic ID feature. As the name suggests, the device will recognize its user via iris scanning when worn.
The complete price and release date details of the Vision Pro are yet to be confirmed. However, given Apple’s history of premium pricing strategies and the high level of technology the device incorporates, it’s safe to expect a significant price tag. Apple enthusiasts and tech aficionados worldwide will be eagerly waiting for further updates.
Apple officially introduced its long-awaited augmented reality glasses within the scope of WWDC 2023. Named as Apple Vision Pro, the glasses are being touted as the new “iPhone moment”. Only time will tell whether it will mark the start of a revolution, but we can say that Apple’s entry into this field will likely create a ripple effect. Alongside this, the price of Vision Pro in Turkey was being wondered about. So, after taxes, how much will the Vision Pro cost in Turkey? Let’s have a look:
As it’s known, Apple announced the price of Vision Pro as $3,499. The product, which will hit the markets in early 2024, will initially be sold exclusively in the U.S. For this reason, Vision Pro will continue its life as a “niche” product for a while.
However, we expect the product to be on sale in other countries, including Turkey, within 2024. In this context, there are some tax rates that need to be calculated for the Vision Pro price in Turkey. In the Turkish tax system, virtual reality glasses and augmented reality glasses can fall into multiple legislations and brackets. Therefore, we need to look at some precedents.
In this context, Oculus Meta Quest 2 glasses were classified under the 95.04.50 GTIP within the scope of import last year. This classification points to the section where the PS5 console also falls under, indicating video game consoles and machines. Therefore, custom duties, special consumption tax (ÖTV), and VAT will be levied from Vision Pro. Considering these, the Apple Vision price in Turkey becomes 142,921 TL. Of course, this is an estimated pricing we made. The actual price might be very different. Apple might also go for a pricing specific to Turkey, or it could be subject to a different taxation process until it arrives in our country, and we might encounter a completely different price.
Apple Vision Pro: $3,499
Customs price: 75,100 TL Customs duty (20%): 15,020 TL TRT Bandroll (12%): 10,814 TL ÖTV (20%): 20,816 TL VAT (18%): 21,801 TL Apple Vision Pro Turkey sales price: 142,921 TL
Although the above information is calculated based on past tax calculations, there may be changes in legislation and rates until Vision Pro arrives in Turkey. Therefore, this price should be considered as an informational figure. At the same time, it is not clear when exactly Apple will bring Vision Pro to Turkey.
Navigating the evolving landscapes of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technology has been a roller coaster ride. Many companies have tried to stake a claim in this realm, launching devices with varying levels of success. Apple’s new Vision Pro could potentially herald a transformative moment in this journey.
Drawing upon my extensive experience with VR and AR headsets, dating back to the Oculus DK1 in 2013 and up to the latest Quest and Vive models, I must say that Apple’s Vision Pro left me genuinely impressed. Although it’s too soon to assert whether it fulfills all its high-powered promises, what I can attest to is the sheer level of engineering and ambition that Apple has poured into this device.
The Vision Pro boasts a fantastic hardware set up, delivering a pixel density of 24 million across two panels, substantially higher than any other consumer headset currently available. The optics, headband comfort, weight distribution, and power connector design show the level of detail Apple has paid to user comfort and experience.
One of the long-standing barriers to VR adoption has been issues related to latency-driven nausea and the sense of isolation that comes from wearing a headset for prolonged periods. Apple has addressed these concerns head-on with the Vision Pro. The device leverages Apple’s new R1 chip alongside the M2 chip, providing a system-wide polling rate of 12ms. In my experience, this resulted in a smooth, seamless interaction without noticeable judder or frame drops.
One of the standout features of the Vision Pro is its almost flawless eye-tracking and gesture control. Hand gestures can be picked up anywhere around the headset, including when resting on your lap or on a chair. Furthermore, the eye-tracking array ensures precise focus on wherever your gaze lands, after an initial calibration.
Another critical feature is the high-resolution passthrough mode. It allows a real-time 4K view of the surroundings, a critical component for fostering comfort during extended VR or AR sessions. A clever “breakthrough” mechanism alerts the wearer when someone is approaching, providing a natural context cue for interaction.
As far as the price is concerned, the Vision Pro’s cost is at the higher end of the spectrum, $3500, signaling it towards power users and early adopters.
Apple Vision Pro delivers an enhanced and fluid user experience, but it’s too early to claim it as the dawn of a new era in computing. However, it is undeniably a significant step forward, showcasing what is technically possible in this realm. The device has set a new bar for VR and AR technology, paving the way for future innovation. I eagerly anticipate what developers, along with Apple, will achieve in the months ahead.
WWDC 2023 — June 5 | Apple
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