While Google and Microsoft channel their resources into AI, Apple breaks the mold by preparing to launch VR glasses in a seemingly untimely market. However, if this indicates a long-term strategy, it could signify a promising shift towards the burgeoning Web3 world.
Apple Anticipates That The Vision Pro Will Follow in the Triumphant Footsteps of The IPhone
At the recent Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple made waves with the announcement of its new augmented and virtual reality glasses, dubbed the Apple Vision Pro. Retailing at $3,499, this cutting-edge product vows to transport users into an immersive virtual realm, complete with unique spatial sound courtesy of 3D digital character creation technology. Powering this experience are the Vision OS and a pair of M2 chips, making it a top-tier offering in the market.
Apple CEO, Tim Cook, asserts that this device will take users to uncharted heights, transcending the constraints of traditional screens. Echoing this vision, Mike Rockwell, Vice President of the company's technology development team, has dubbed the Apple Vision Pro as "the most sophisticated personal electronic device" on the market.
Implicit in these assertions is Apple's high hopes for the Vision Pro. The company is positioning the VR headset as the potential "next big thing," after many years of reliance on the iconic iPhone, Steve Jobs' lasting legacy.
Despite being a later entrant, Apple's Vision Pro is anticipated to rejuvenate the waning virtual reality glasses market. Intriguingly, during the presentation, buzzwords like "Metaverse," "AR," or "VR" were conspicuously absent. Instead, Apple opted for terms like "spatial" and "spatial computing" to characterize their product, underscoring their intent to stand apart from existing virtual reality glasses offerings.
“Making our first space product required invention on almost every aspect of the system”
said Mike Rockwell, Vice President of Apple Technology Development
With the advent of Apple Vision Pro, the need for physical controllers or auxiliary devices becomes a thing of the past. Users can now interact with their virtual environment using their eyes, hands, and voice. Specifically:
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Eye-tracking control: Wherever the user's gaze lands, the corresponding topic or item becomes responsive to interaction. Plus, with EyeSight, users can view the people around them and their eyes, mitigating the unsettling feeling often associated with other VR products.
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Hand gestures: Users can swipe, touch, and zoom just with their hands. Demonstrations highlight how the film viewing experience on Apple Vision Pro offers a distinct novelty.
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Voice commands: Siri, already a familiar presence on other Apple devices, is on hand to respond to verbal instructions.
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Eye verification: This technology is similar to the one found in the Worldcoin project, providing an extra layer of security and personalization.
Looking at the features spotlighted in the introduction videos and those listed above, it becomes clear why Apple has set a price tag of $3,499 for the Vision Pro. This pricing strategy may create a niche user segment and could potentially impede mass sales in the already shrinking VR glasses market. The product reveal was met with shock from attendees when the price of the Vision Pro was announced.
Given this cost, average consumers could instead purchase an entertainment console like the PS5 or Xbox, along with a laptop and several other supportive devices for work. Hence, upon launch, it's likely that the primary purchasers of the Vision Pro will be programmers or customers with a higher disposable income.
Apple's Innovation: A Promising Prospect for the Metaverse and Web3 Future
Despite Apple's reluctance to explicitly refer to the Metaverse, the tech giant still fosters confidence among those anticipating the rise of virtual worlds and Web3.
In November 2022, Space Pixel - An Alien Cat tweeted that his three favorite new technologies are about to hit the exponential phases of their S curves. All 3 of these techs already have so much funding flowing into them.
And the next decade is going to be very exciting and fruitful for him.
In other words, we’re still early before the world of using this technology daily.
Said Spacepixel.
CoinDesk too, suggests that the technology embodied in the glasses signifies a paradigm shift for digital experiences, potentially influencing how we construct in the Web3 realm. Consequently, if Apple continues to redefine this space with their unique terminology, users might have to familiarize themselves with this new lexicon.
The introduction of Apple Vision Pro has ignited anticipation among users for a fresh wave of innovation in the realm of virtual technology, notably within the gaming community.
Virtual technology instantly brings games to mind for the average user. Many have already delved into the immersive universes of games such as Beat Saber or Half Life Alyx, developed utilizing this technology. Consequently, the prospect of accessing Apple's extensive gaming library through the enhanced experience of the Vision Pro is indeed tantalizing.
Despite hosting numerous blockchain-based games on the Apple Store, the tech giant has maintained a cautious approach towards the Web3 world. This is evidenced by the continuation of its 30% 'Apple tax' on NFT purchases within its apps. However, this doesn't detract from the potential of the Apple Vision Pro as a platform for Web3 games.
Nonetheless, the steep price of the Vision Pro might hinder a large portion of the gaming community from accessing the product. Many Twitter users have pointed out that comparably priced laptops typically boast just a single chip, while the Vision Pro houses two - the M2 and R1. For followers of 'dystopia breaker', this provides a reasonable explanation for the hefty $3,499 price tag attached to Apple's latest offering.
Socialize In The Metaverse
In the realm of virtual reality (VR), the boundaries of perception are blurred. The human brain is remarkable in its adaptability, capable of accepting any incoming stimuli that isn't markedly artificial as genuine. This characteristic enables us to be fully immersed in VR experiences. Rather than viewing VR as a mere simulation, our minds interpret it as an extension of our reality. VR doesn't trick us because it's a convincing fake; it captivates us because it's real enough to engage our senses and make us believe in its authenticity.
When it comes to socializing, VR offers a compelling solution to the isolation often felt online. While traditional digital communication platforms can feel distant and impersonal, VR enables us to interact with others in a more immersive and realistic environment. Sharing experiences, expressing emotions, and building relationships in a VR setting can feel just as fulfilling as in-person interactions. This can greatly alleviate the sense of loneliness that can accompany online communication.
The desire for self-expression is a fundamental part of human nature. VR offers an unprecedented level of freedom in this regard. In virtual environments, we can become anything we imagine. From fantastical creatures to abstract concepts, our digital avatars can represent our wildest dreams and deepest desires. This ability to shape our own identity, to embody any form we wish, is a powerful draw of VR.
Perhaps the most astonishing aspect of VR is the degree of physicality it can offer. When you look at a mirror in VR, you can see your virtual body reflected back at you. If you've chosen to become a tubby cat, you'll see yourself as that. There's a tangible sense of presence - the feeling that you are indeed in that form, in that world. This kind of realism is what makes VR so compelling and so profoundly different from other forms of digital interaction. In VR, we're not merely observers or players; we are active participants in a world that feels convincingly real.
Conclusion
As we look ahead, it's important to consider how products like Apple's Vision Pro might reshape our expectations of the Metaverse. Even though it deviates from traditional Metaverse frameworks, its influence in the VR/AR space cannot be overlooked. The incorporation of technologies like iris scanning could bring a new layer of personalization and security to these environments, having far-reaching implications for web3 applications and the crypto market, particularly in areas requiring unique user identification.
This intersection of technology and finance is leading us into a new era of digital experiences. It's a fascinating time, with established tech giants potentially engaging or even competing with rising web3 and crypto initiatives. This dynamic interplay will undoubtedly shape the future of our digital interactions, and we're here to guide you through these exciting developments. As we continue to navigate the ever-evolving VR/AR landscape together, remember that the possibilities are as limitless as our imaginations. Stay tuned for more insights, and until next time, keep exploring!
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Many sources influenced this article. In particular, I should note: Coin98.net Egirl Capital Writing