Is the Apple Vision Pro a massively overhyped VR headset? | Let’s Talk About #122

During the recent WWDC23, Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled the Vision Pro which has been the long-awaited “One more thing” in a while. Essentially, this is Apple’s take on a mixed-reality headset and it is marketed as Apple’s first spatial computer. Virtual and Augmented Reality headsets aren’t new and we’ve seen several examples from HTC, Microsoft and Meta. But, can Apple really change the game or is it just hype? That’s what Amin and Alex will be discussing on the latest episode of Let’s Talk About.

To recap, the Apple Vision Pro is priced at USD 3,499 which is over RM16,000 after direct conversion. It is definitely not cheap and that’s to be expected from Apple. It features a computer-grade Apple M2 chip accompanied by an R1 chip to ensure an smooth real-time experience without lag. It has a wide array of sensors including 12 cameras, five sensors and six microphones. Unlike some VR headsets, there are no controllers as the Vision Pro relies on hand gestures for navigation.

The Apple Vision Pro features micro-LED displays which provide a combined 23 million pixels across two displays. According to Apple, that’s more than 4K resolution for each eye. For an immersive entertainment experience, the Vision Pro is said to able to transform the user’s surroundings into a personal movie theatre with a perceived 100ft screen.

Designed to be worn all day, the Vision Pro can be wired directly or run from a battery pack which is said to last up to 2 hours. At the moment, Apple has not revealed the Vision Pro’s international availability details including Malaysia and it is expected to go on sale in early 2024. It has been reported that Apple is working on a “cheaper” version which could be announced towards the end of 2025.

What do you think? Is the Apple Vision Pro a game changer for mixed-reality headsets or is it just hype? Let us know in the comments down below.

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