SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — With Apple’s hotly anticipated Vision Pro headset hitting store shelves Friday, you’re probably going to start to see more people wearing the futuristic googles that are supposed to usher in the age of “spatial computing.”

Apple executives and their marketing experts are attempting to make an obscure form of technology popular. They are using terms like “augmented reality” and “virtual reality” to promote the revolutionary capabilities of this product, which is being compared to the groundbreaking iPhone released in 2007.

On Thursday, Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed his excitement for people to discover the wonders of the Vision Pro during a discussion with analysts.

The Vision Pro is expected to be one of Apple’s priciest offerings, with a cost of $3,500. Analysts believe that this high price may result in the company selling only 1 million or less devices in its first year. However, it should be noted that during the first year of the iPhone’s release, Apple only sold around 4 million units. Now, the company sells over 200 million iPhones per year. This shows that a product that may seem niche at first can become a crucial part of people’s daily lives and work routines.

If the Vision Pro experiences this, the mention of spatial computing may become as commonly used as terms for mobile and personal computing, both of which Apple has significantly contributed to in past technological advancements.

Spatial computing is a term used to describe the merging of the physical world and a virtual world created through technology. This allows for seamless interaction between humans and machines in manipulating objects and spaces. This process often involves elements of augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI), both of which are integral in the development of spatial computing. Cathy Hackl, an experienced industry consultant, now heads a startup focused on developing apps for the Vision Pro platform.

Hackl stated that this is a crucial moment as spatial computing will allow devices to comprehend the world in unprecedented ways. This technology will revolutionize the way humans interact with computers, and eventually all interfaces, such as cars and watches, will become spatial computing devices.

According to Apple, the Vision Pro is generating a lot of buzz and over 600 newly created apps will be accessible for use on the headset immediately. These apps cover a diverse range of categories including television networks, video streaming services (though notable exclusions are Netflix and Google’s YouTube), video games, and educational options. In addition, companies like Zoom that offer online meeting services have also developed apps for the Vision Pro to cater to work-related needs.

However, the Vision Pro may reveal a concerning aspect of technology if its implementation of spatial computing is so powerful that individuals begin to perceive the world differently without wearing the headset, leading them to believe that life is more fascinating when viewed through the goggles. This could potentially exacerbate screen addiction, which has become prevalent since the introduction of the iPhone, and intensify the isolation caused by reliance on digital devices.

Apple is not the only major tech company developing spatial computing products. Google has been working on a 3D video conferencing service called “Project Starline” that uses realistic images and a “magic window” to create the feeling of being in the same room for two people in different locations. However, Project Starline has not yet been widely released. Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, has been selling the Quest headset as a potential platform for spatial computing, although they have not marketed it as such.

The Vision Pro platform, on the other hand, is supported by a company known for its strong marketing abilities and loyal customer base, which often leads to setting trends.

While it may seem like a major achievement, if Apple is successful in implementing Vision Pro, the idea of spatial computing has actually been around for over two decades. In a lengthy research paper from 2003 published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Simon Greenwold argued that even basic technology, such as automatic flushing toilets, can be considered a form of spatial computing. Greenwold used the example of a toilet sensing movement to trigger a flush as evidence that the system is engaging with a real human space.

The Vision Pro is significantly more advanced than a toilet. One of its most impressive aspects is the high-resolution screens that can display three-dimensional videos of events and individuals, creating a sense of reliving the experience. Apple has already set the stage for marketing the Vision Pro with the inclusion of “spatial video” recording on their premium iPhone 15 models, which were launched in September.

The Apple headset responds to hand gestures and eye movements in order to mimic a natural part of the body. When wearing the headset, users can manipulate virtual computer screens using only their hands, resembling a scene from the movie “Minority Report” starring Tom Cruise.

According to Hackl, spatial computing is a technology that is shifting towards catering to the user’s needs instead of expecting the user to adjust to the technology. The goal is for it to feel intuitive and effortless.

It is yet to be determined how natural it will feel to have dinner with someone while they wear goggles instead of constantly looking at their phone.

Source: wral.com