Apple has recently launched the Vision Pro, a groundbreaking mixed reality headset that marks the company's first significant product unveiling since the Apple Watch in 2015. This innovative device, with a price tag of $3,499, is designed to open up a whole new world of virtual and augmented reality experiences. The Vision Pro is expected to hit the U.S. market in early 2024, with a global rollout planned for later in the year.
Unveiling the Vision Pro
The Vision Pro's design is reminiscent of a pair of high-tech ski goggles, equipped with an array of cameras and sensors. The device is navigated through eye and hand movements, eliminating the need for external controllers, and also incorporates voice input. The headset boasts Apple's inaugural 3D camera, capable of capturing spatial videos and photos, and can transform into a personal cinema with a virtual screen that gives the impression of being 100 feet wide. It offers ultra-high resolution, surpassing that of a 4K TV, and introduces a new spatial-audio system.
The Vision Pro operates on a controller-free system, with users browsing through app icons in an operating system named visionOS simply by looking at them. Selections can be made with a tap or a flick, and voice commands are also supported. The headset is compatible with hundreds of thousands of existing iPhone and iPad apps and supports Bluetooth accessories, including the Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad. It even allows users to connect their Mac for use within the headset.
The Vision Pro's Potential Impact on Tech and Crypto
The Vision Pro signifies a major stride towards the integration of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) into daily life, which could have far-reaching implications for the tech sector and the burgeoning Web3 and crypto sphere.
Tech companies like Unity, known for its platform for creating and operating real-time 3D content, stand to gain significantly from the Vision Pro. Unity's game engine is compatible with the Vision Pro, potentially leading to a surge in the development and use of 3D apps on the platform. Furthermore Unity announced early in the year a list of web3 verified third-party SDKs, plug-ins, and more.
In the realm of crypto, projects such as Render and Polygon could see a boost in interest and usage as Disney was featured on the keynote. Disney in 2022 announced Polygon as one of the ecosystems within Disney’s Accelerator program. Render operates a decentralized GPU rendering network, while Polygon is a protocol and framework for building and connecting Ethereum-compatible blockchain networks. Both could play a pivotal role in the creation and management of digital assets and environments for AR/VR experiences facilitated by the Vision Pro and various other headset devices like the HTC Vive that already supports Polygon NFTs.
Pricing and Its Effect on the Market
The Vision Pro's premium price of $3,499 could influence its initial adoption rate. However, Apple's reputation for delivering high-quality, innovative products may help stimulate interest and sales. The company anticipates selling 900,000 VR headsets in the first year.
Despite the high price point, the Vision Pro could play a crucial role in propelling VR into mainstream popularity. It symbolizes a significant commitment by Apple to the AR/VR industry and could stimulate further innovation and competition in the sector.
Wrapping Up
The Vision Pro is a significant advancement in the integration of AR and VR into everyday life. Its potential impact on the tech industry and the emerging Web3 and crypto space is substantial. While its high price may deter some, the Vision Pro could be instrumental in establishing AR/VR as a mainstream technology and fostering further innovation and competition in the sector.
Also don’t miss Paul’s latest breakdown of the Apple Vision Pro and how it could play into crypto and web.