APPLE’S first-ever ‘spatial computer’ finally goes on sale to Brits.
The launched Apple Vision Pro headset was announced last summer and hit stores in February this year, but only in the United States.
Now the premium (and very expensive) Apple Glasses are coming to British shores for the first time – with a major upgrade that you’ll definitely want to try.
Apple’s British fans will be able to get it put on the headset from Friday, July 12 – with pre-orders on Friday, June 28.
I’ve had the chance to try Vision Pro several times, and it’s like being in the future. It’s the closest thing we have to a time machine.
You can read all about my initial Vision Pro thoughts here, but here’s a quick summary of what the Vision Pro headset does and why it matters.
SEEING IS BELIEVING
For the most part, we communicate with the digital world through screens: the smartphone in your hands, the laptop on your desk or the TV on your wall.
But in the future, the digital world will be all around you. Movies float before you on gigantic floating displays. Apps detach from the screen and live wherever you want.
Only it’s not in the future. The time has now come. And that is thanks to the Vision Pro.
Okay, so granted, the Vision Pro uses screens. But they are so close to your eyes that they might as well not exist.
It expands your vision to see an invisible layer of the world that no one else can see.
This has endless applications.
The obvious one is that you can hang a giant 100-inch cinema screen from your ceiling without having to worry about hoisting it up, dropping it on you, or dropping it on the floor. the bill for such a huge exhibition.
These virtual screens are not only suitable for movies, but also for playing video games and exploring immersive virtual worlds.
Not only that! The headset allows you to work on your laptop with floating windows in front of you, taking input from your actual keyboard and mouse.
Virtual Reality vs. Augmented Reality – what’s the difference?
Here’s what you need to know
- Virtual reality involves using a headset to simulate a virtual world.
- In a VR world, everything you see is computer generated
- Popular VR headsets include the HTC Vive and Meta’s Quest and Quest Pro.
- Augmented reality allows you to see the real world, but “supplements” (or adds) computer-generated elements.
- This means that you can see computer images superimposed on your real world view.
- For example, you can wear glasses that overlap the directions on the road ahead.
- This is what Meta’s Quest headsets also offer, as well as Microsoft HoloLens.
- There is also the term ‘mixed reality’, which combines virtual, augmented and real images that can be changed on the fly.
- Apple also has its own term for its headset’s mixed reality technology, called “spatial computing.”
- Therefore, it describes the Vision Pro headset as a spatial computer.
It works exceptionally well and you can turn your home or office into a Minority Report-style floating workspace.
The headset also functions as a “spatial camera” that allows you to take immersive 3D photos and videos.
And you can use the headset to feel like you’re back in that moment in an eerily realistic way.
The quality of the images is impressive, with a custom display system that delivers more pixels to each eye than a 4K TV.
Current comes courtesy of a battery pack that promises about two hours of use.
But you can also use the headset while charging the battery.
The biggest disadvantage is that it is expensive. The UK price is set at £3,499 – roughly the same as the US version, which cost $3,499.
GOING PRO
It is incredibly moving to step back into a cherished memory.
Haley Allen
Apple also announced some minor updates to the visionOS software that powers the headset.
One of the big upgrades is the new ability to convert your existing photos into spatial photos.
Through the use of some computer wizardry, your Vision Pro can transform standard 2D images into stunning 3D versions.
And that means you can “relive” those moments like never before in the headset.
“It’s incredibly moving to step back into a cherished memory,” said Apple’s Haley Allen.
She added: “It’s so magical to reach into the past and bring your most precious photos into the future.”
But those updates won’t arrive until the autumn, so Brits who buy the headset at launch will still be running the original version of visionOS.