Apple just debuted the latest entry in its iOS product portfolio: the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, two new smartphones powered by the A18 Pro chip and ready to optimise AI, camera, and battery life features.
During yesterday’s showcase event, the firm spoke exclusively about the iPhone 16 models, so no deep XR news came from the event for those anticipating the new Vision Pro news to conclude the year.
Notably, Meta Connect 2024 is around the corner, and Apple could have used the hype wave to showcase the Vision Pro, like other XR firms. However, Apple seems happy to showcase its products on its own time; arguably, due to its popularity, it does not need to leverage the hype of any other company.
The iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max showcase event revealed some minor Vison Pro details via spatial content creation integrations on the latest iOS models.
According to Apple, the new iPhone models leverage Apple’s spatial recording feature, introduced alongside the Vision Pro earlier this year. This feature allows users to capture 3D recordings of a memory (similar to a photo or video). Then, the user can rewatch that spatial recording on their Vision Pro headset as a 3D immersive visualisation. Moreover, devices like PICO’s recent 4 Ultra headset allow users to watch iPhone spatial recordings on non-Apple XR headsets.
The other note is that the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max also allow users to record sounds and videos with a built-in “studio-quality” spatial audio system that gives users an immersive sound experience that Apple notes is ready for Apple Vision Pro playback, as well as AirPods and surround sound systems.
After years of rumours and speculation, Apple introduced the Vision Pro earlier this year. Despite initial interest and impressive specifications, the $3,499 price tag made the device unappealing to many potential customers – outside of enterprise and developer circles – despite its initial appeal and remarkable features.
Some analysts believe that Vision Pro is not meeting its goal of popularizing spatial computing. However, early adoption rates may not accurately reflect Vision Pro’s long-term success.
In a recent newsletter, Mark Gurman mentioned that Apple plans to release a lower-priced MR headset that will still be more expensive than offerings from other competitors, with a minimum price of $1,499.
Additionally, Gurman claims that Apple’s XR development teams are working on a more affordable spatial computing device, a second-generation Apple Vision Pro model, and a pair of more straightforward smart glasses. Gurman also noted that these experimental devices could be launched early next year.
This news comes after Apple expanded the availability of the Vision Pro to new international markets, including the United Kingdom, China, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Canada, France, and Germany.
(Copyright: XR Today Apple Vision Pro's Spatial Recording Supported on New iPhone 16 Models - XR Today)
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