The renowned technology magazine Popular Science has named Apple's Vision Pro headset Innovation of the Year 2024. In its most recent listing of the 50 greatest innovations, the mixed reality headset was ranked first. According to Popular Science, the device represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of augmented reality and offers a glimpse into the future of immersive computing.
Quickread: At a glance
- Popular Science selects Apple Vision Pro as Innovation of the Year 2024
- Despite the high price of 3,500 US dollars, there is great potential for the future
- Innovative operation and high-resolution display impressed the jury
Revolutionary technology: Mixed reality in a new dimension
The Vision Pro features an impressive 23 million pixel display system that offers over 4K resolution to each eye. External cameras on the headset record the user's surroundings live, merging the digital and physical worlds in real time.
Another unique selling point of the Vision Pro is the lack of traditional controllers or physical buttons. Instead, users interact with the interface through hand gestures, eye tracking and voice commands. Popular Science describes these features as “something different, important, and frankly, pretty amazing.”
A high price but great potential
Despite the award, the magazine also acknowledges some hurdles, most notably the “massive $3,500 price tag.” Nevertheless, the headset's potential to drive future innovations in the AR area is emphasized:
“Although AR headsets have existed before, this one receives our award because of the great potential it shows. It's part of Apple's broader hardware plan. The new iPhone cameras have a special arrangement to record spatial videos for consumption in AR. Familiar apps can offer enhanced experiences designed specifically for headsets.”
Popular Science believes future versions of the device will fix some of the current vulnerabilities. For example, it is expected that the “eerie image of the user’s eyes” that is currently displayed on the external display could be eliminated in future iterations.
Apple's influence on the future of spatial computing
Overall, the magazine is excited to see what next steps Apple will take with the Vision Pro: “We're curious to see what Apple does next, because a consumer-friendly price for such an experience could be truly groundbreaking.”
In addition to the Vision Pro, other notable products were also highlighted in the 2024 Top Innovations list. These include the Oura Ring 4, the Sony A9 III mirrorless camera, the Boox Palma e-ink smartphone and the LG Signature OLED T television.
Mixed reality describes the fusion of the real and virtual world. Unlike pure virtual reality, mixed reality also combines elements of the physical environment and overlays them with digital content. This creates a new, interactive level of experience.
The Popular Science award once again underlines Apple's pioneering role in innovative technologies. Even though the Vision Pro is currently still a niche product for early adopters, experts see great potential for the future of spatial computing. It will be exciting to see how Apple further develops the technology and potentially makes it available to a wider audience.
