The debut of “Apple’s” mixed reality device marks a turning point for the industry, executives at some major augmented and virtual reality players said, as they welcomed competition from the US tech giant.
“Apple” has unveiled its “Vision Pro” headset, ending months of speculation that the giant was preparing to launch its own “VR” product.
The “headset” will allow users to see applications in a new way in the spaces around them (so imagine what your mobile screen shows in the air). Users can use their eyes and hands to navigate apps and search for what they want to find with their voice.
With the headset, users can watch movies, including in “3D” with spatial sound, view their own photos or videos, and play video games. They can also work using video conferencing applications.
The headphones will be available from $3,499 early next year, with their high price, however, not going unnoticed on “social media”.
Who will go ahead?
The “VR” industry has long struggled to be taken seriously, with consumers viewing these devices as primarily used for gaming rather than something that can be integrated into their daily lives.
“Meta”, formerly known as “Facebook”, has staked its entire future on the idea that people will engage in virtual worlds through “VR” products such as its “Meta Quest” headset line and social game “Horizon Worlds VR”, in a network of vast virtual worlds known as the “metaverse”.
But “Meta” has yet to find widespread commercial appeal for its product and is losing billions of dollars on its investment in the technology every year.
“VR headset” sales have underperformed recently, particularly as consumers struggle with a sharp increase in the cost of living.
Research group “NPD Group” told “CNBC” last December that sales of “VR” headsets in the US will fall by 2% in 2022 compared to the previous year, to $1.1 billion.
However, industry executives believe that the launch of Apple’s product marks a major milestone for the emerging market of mixed reality (combining a user’s real-world environment with digitally created content).
“”Apple’s” entry into mixed reality with “Vision Pro” is an important moment for our entire industry.”
said Urho Konttori, chief technology officer of Finnish “VR headset” maker “Varjo”.
“We hope that today is the tipping point for consumers and that it will begin to become part of their daily lives, with promising applications for entertainment, personal productivity and communication”,
he added.
Leo Gebbie, an analyst at “CCS Insight”, said:
“Although they won’t be released until early 2024, we expect the “Vision Pros” to transform the spatial computing segment thanks to some design decisions and innovation from “Apple”.”
“Virtual and augmented reality (“VR” and “AR”) have gone through a period of intense questioning and skepticism in recent years, but if one company has the power to revive the market, it’s “Apple”.”
he added.
moneyreview.gr with information from CNBC
Source:
(Συνολικές Επισκέψεις: / Total Visits: 52)
(Σημερινές Επισκέψεις: / Today's Visits: 1)