Apple CEO Tim Cook announced Monday, June 5, the launch of the company's new augmented reality (AR) headset, the Apple Vision Pro, during the first day of the 2023 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC23).
Claimed by the company as "the most advanced personal electronics device ever," it was announced the devices would start public distribution in early 2024 with a $3,499 price tag, more than three times the price of the devices sold by its competitor, Meta.
Cook stated the device promised to "introduce [the world] to spatial computing," an area many tech developers consider as the holy grail of innovation. "It's the first Apple product you look through, and not at," he described the device.
The company added Vision Pro allows eye and hand movement to control its features and functions aside from its proven voice recognition technology. It also allows users to synchronize their activities on other Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and accessories like AirPods.
Apple Vision Pro, the company adds, would allow customization to allow user comfortability. The headset can also be used for up to two hours using an external battery.
Disney+ on Vision Pro
Aside from announcing Apple Vision Pro, Apple announced it would be collaborating with Disney to make Disney+ available for the AR headset "from day one" as part of the company's centennial.
Disney CEO Bob Iger said Apple Vision Pro's movie theater option would allow integration of its own technologies with Apple's. "We're so proud to yet again be partnering the greatest storytelling company in the world with the most innovative technology company in the world to bring you real life magic," he said.
Kojima and Unity Bring Games to Apple
Aside from Disney, Apple announced it would bring apps and games built with Unity Software into Vision Pro. As a result, Unity's shares skyrocketed by 17% as Apple's announcement was made, only the third time it has done so since its 2020 IPO.
Meanwhile, game developer Hideo Kojima announced his studios would be bringing its games to Apple platforms, chiefly named in particular was Death Stranding: Director's Cut.
Upgrades, Updates, and Stock Market Bloodbath
In addition to Apple Vision Pro, the company announced several upgrades to its hardware and software products, including the introduction of the MacBook Air 15", the largest in the laptop line, and the development of Apple Silicon, which upgrades several devices like MacBook and Mac Studio. The company also announced upgrades to iOS, iPadOS, MacOS, WatchOS, and AirPods, among others.
However, despite the hype of launching the Vision Pro as its first major new product since 2014, Apple's stock market performance plummeted, closing at 179.58, 1.37 lower than its score before its announcement. The company's stock price fell by about 0.8%, which more than negated its gains earlier in the day.
