Apple Vision Pro headset launched: Can it replace iPhones?

Speaking at the launch of Apple Vision Pro, Mike Rockwell, Apple’s vice president of the Technology Development Group said that the device is ‘the most advanced personal electronics ever’. The Vision Pro features a floating set of icons with Apple’s most used apps, including mail, music, messages, and safari, when users don the headset. Users can play games, watch movies and make FaceTime calls using the Vision Pro.

Also, the new device doesn’t need controllers. It relies on the user’s eye movements, voice and hand-gestures to highlight the preferred icon, without having one to push any command physically. Then, there is a 3D camera to capture spatial photos and spatial videos in 3D. 

With these features and more (click to know), the device clearly takes most of the load off from the iPhone, reducing the user’s reliance on the handset. But, the question is, can Apple Vision Pro replace iPhones?

During the launch event, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that “Just as the Mac introduced us to personal computing, and iPhone introduced us to mobile computing, Apple Vision Pro introduces us to spatial computing.” He stated that the Vision Pro is years ahead and “unlocks incredible experiences for our users and exciting new opportunities.”  

“Built upon decades of Apple innovation, Vision Pro..comes with a revolutionary new input system and thousands of groundbreaking innovations,” Cook said.

It took years for Apple to make iPhones as they are today. An iPhone is not just a mobile calling device or a camera device or for that matter an internet browsing device. It is all these features and more put together, sealed with the trust and confidence of Apple fans. 

Apple is projecting Vision Pro as a spatial computer and, as Cook himself said Vision Pro “marks the beginning of a new era for computing,” without erasing the old (At least for now. You never know what the future may hold). 

Updated: 06 Jun 2023, 03:33 PM IST