Apple announced this morning that the Vision Pro would launch in the U.S. on February 2. Preorders for the $3,500 spatial computing gadget begin Friday, January 19, at 5 a.m. PT.
The firm released a stunning statement this morning. “The era of spatial computing has arrived,” declared Tim Cook. “Apple Vision Pro is the most advanced consumer electronics device ever. Its stunning user interface will change how we connect, create, and explore.”
The Vision Pro App Store will debut with “more than 1 million” iOS and iPadOS applications and headset-specific experiences. However, how many custom Vision Pro applications will be accessible when the gadget releases in under a month is unknown.
There are over 250 games on Apple Arcade on the App Store, according to Apple. Players may play NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition and Sonic Dream Team on a huge screen with great audio and compatibility for common controllers. New spatial games like Game Room, What the Golf?, and Super Fruit Ninja use Apple Vision Pro to modify players’ surroundings.
Proprietary software will provide a FaceTime experience for the new hardware. Apple says again, “FaceTime on Apple Vision Pro takes advantage of the space around you so that everyone on a call appears life-size while Spatial Audio makes it sound like each person’s voice comes from their tile.”
Also available at launch are ZEISS optical inserts. Lenses attach magnetically to the headset. Standard readers cost $99, and prescription lenses are $149.
At launch, Apple released VisionOS, their newest operating system designed for the new hardware. Apple notes,
VisionOS enhances spatial experiences, opening up new work and home prospects. A novel three-dimensional user interface and voice, hand, and eye input method make navigation feel magical. Looking at applications, tapping their fingers to pick, flicking their wrist to navigate, or typing with a virtual keyboard or dictation are intuitive motions. Siri lets users launch and shut applications, play media, and more.
