Apple isn’t letting us try out its Vision Pro mixed reality headset just yet, but I was able to get a brief look at the hardware after fighting my way through the WWDC crowd. And, well, it looks like just another headset, almost like a souped-up version of the Meta Quest Pro. But even just a quick glance makes it clear that the Vision Pro is pure Apple; it’s like an iPod compared to the clunky MP3 players of its era, or an iPhone next to a BlackBerry.
The Vision Pro is Apple’s bold entry into the world of spatial computing, and it looks like the company has learned a lot from previous VR and AR headsets. On the front of the device is an OLED screen that can display your eyes, making you more connected to people in the real world. Its spring-loaded side straps and ribbed back headband look suitably high-end. And, simply put, it has the wow factor you expect from a premium Apple product.
However, there is some cause for concern. The required battery pack is a bit un-Apple, as you have to stuff it in your pocket or find somewhere to store it. And we’ve yet to see anyone wearing this headset in the real world. Apple event staff stressed that we couldn’t touch the Vision Pro or lean too close. Of course, we won’t see if Apple’s spatial computing vision lives up to its slick promotional videos until we can actually wear the thing.
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