Apple has officially released its highly anticipated Apple Vision Pro headset in the United States, marking the beginning of a new era in personal computing with its innovative approach to “spatial computing.” The Cupertino-based tech giant announced the availability of 600 new apps and games designed specifically for the device, complementing the existing one million apps on the App Store that are already compatible with the Vision Pro.
The Vision Pro headset introduces users to an augmented reality canvas that enables interaction through eye movements, hand gestures, and voice commands. With its high-resolution displays delivering the equivalent of a 4K TV worth of pixels to each eye, users can transform their surroundings into a personal theatre, enhancing media consumption experiences by creating immersive environments for watching sports, TV shows, and films.
Among the 600 newly announced apps, several stand out for their innovative utilisation of the Vision Pro’s capabilities. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy real-time shot tracking and interactive 3D models of golf courses with the PGA TOUR app, while basketball fans can stream multiple broadcasts simultaneously and access real-time player and team stats using the NBA app’s Multiview feature. Additionally, streaming apps like Disney+ and Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max offer a new way to watch movies and shows, leveraging the Vision Pro’s immersive capabilities.
Apple emphasises that the Vision Pro is not limited to entertainment purposes alone but also enhances productivity and collaboration. With its 3D user interface, apps can appear side by side at any scale, facilitating multitasking and collaboration efforts. Productivity apps like Box and MindNode offer seamless collaboration and brainstorming experiences, while Microsoft 365 apps enable users to join meetings and calls directly from the Vision Pro.
Furthermore, gaming experiences on the Vision Pro are taken to new heights with Apple Arcade offering a catalogue of 250 games, including titles specifically optimised for spatial gaming in augmented reality.
Beyond entertainment and productivity, the Vision Pro introduces users to new experiences that transcend traditional computing. Apps like Hold the World and The Archive transport users to virtual museums and exploration adventures, while Voyager by ForeFlight provides 3D representations of air traffic and flights for aviation enthusiasts.
With its array of features and capabilities, the Apple Vision Pro represents a significant leap forward in personal computing, offering users unparalleled immersive experiences and unlocking new creative possibilities in spatial computing.