On January 19, Apple opened pre-orders for its new mixed reality device: the Apple Vision Pro.
Along with the official launch of the device destined to redefine the landscape of immersive technology, in Apple’s intentions, the American company also released the official technical specifications of the Apple Vision Pro.
Let’s delve into them, to understand the potential of the Cupertino company’s entry into the world of virtual and augmented reality.
Display Features:
The Apple Vision Pro boasts a display system with 23 million pixels, utilizing Micro-OLED technology with a 7.5-micron pixel pitch. The 3D display system and support for refresh rates of 90Hz, 96Hz, and 100Hz aim to enhance the visual experience. Additionally, the device allows mirroring content up to 720p AirPlay, providing users with a method to share their experiences.
Performance Metrics of Apple Vision Pro:
The device is powered by the M2 chip, featuring an 8-core CPU (4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores), a 10-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. Backed by 16GB unified memory, the M2 chip promises efficient processing. The new R1 chip further contributes to responsiveness with its 12-millisecond photon-to-photon latency and 256GB/s memory bandwidth.
Photography and Sensory Capture:
The main stereoscopic 3D camera system, with an 18mm, ƒ/2.00 aperture, supports spatial photo and video capture. The array of sensors, including two high resolution main cameras, six tracking cameras, four eye-tracking cameras, LiDAR Scanner, and inertial measurement units (IMUs), collectively contribute to spatial awareness and interaction with the surroundings.
Audio-Visual Capabilities:
Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, personalized Spatial Audio, and audio ray tracing aim to provide an immersive auditory experience. The six-mic array with directional beamforming ensures clear communication. The device supports various audio and video formats, including Dolby Atmos, HEVC, MV-HEVC, H.264, and HDR.
Connectivity:
Equipped with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3, the Apple Vision Pro prioritizes high-speed data transfer and connectivity. Operating on the visionOS platform, the device aim to offer stability and ease of navigation.
Battery Life:
While the device offers up to 2 hours of general use and 2.5 hours of video watching, the option to use the device while charging provides continuous usage.
User Input and Accessibility:
The Apple Vision Pro supports user interaction through hands, eyes, and voice, accommodating various accessories like keyboards, trackpads, and game controllers. The Interpupillary Distance (IPD) range of 51–75 mm ensures a personalized experience. Accessibility features, including VoiceOver, Zoom, Color Filters, Hearing Device Support, and Voice Control, cater to a diverse user base.
Weight of the Apple Vision Pro:
The claimed weight of the Apple Vision Pro is about 650g, with the external battery weighing 353g.
Memory:
Three denominations are offered for the capacity of the Apple Vision Pro, with corresponding price changes: 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.
What apps will you be able to use on the Apple Vision Pro?
Apple claims that when the device is released in the U.S. market on Feb. 2, more than one million apps will be available, including external apps such as Disney +, Prime Video, and MUBI, underscoring the Apple Vision Pro’s strong entertainment component.
For the time being, however, some major absences are surprising, such as those of Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube, which will be usable exclusively through the browser, going to affect the user experience to some extent.
Meanwhile, the first reviews of the device have appeared online, showing mixed opinions. As always, Apple seems poised to divide the public and consumers, aiming to become one of the benchmarks in the world of Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality, especially in the area of entertainment and working from home.
Will it succeed in the venture?
