Apple could bring virtual reality into the mainstream with the launch of its Vision Pro.
That's according to Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor with the Irish Independent, who was speaking as the company launched a slew of new products in California on Monday.
Available early next year in the US, the Vision Pro will cost you at least US$3,499 (€3,273).
The VR headset will be available in other countries "later next year," Apple said.
The Apple Vision Pro. Picture by: AppleAdrian told The Hard Shoulder this product is getting its own app store.
"It essentially looks like a very large pair of ski goggles, or something from the movie 'Ready Player One'," he said.
"It's extremely powerful; it comes with its own app store, so it's actually a computer in itself.
"It's not something you're supposed to use as an accessory with your Mac, or your iPhone, iPad or anything like that.
"This is actually a standalone computer with its own 4K screens inside the headset.
"You can control things with your hands or with your voice or your eyes.
"So when you look at something within the headset, it triggers something and then you can use your hands to type.
"It's by far the best example of a VR, or augmented reality, headset that we've seen".
An interactive menu when using the Apple Vision Pro. Picture by: AppleAdrian said Apple could "possibly" have the power to change VR, but people should remember one thing.
"It's important to say that this is 'version zero' from Apple's point of view," he said.
"Apple is very good at one thing: it's good at taking struggling technology - something we've been told is going to be the next big thing.
"In the late '90s/early 2000s that was the smartphone, 10 years ago it was the smartwatch - [Apple] is very good at taking that and making it mainstream.
"VR, we've been told for over a decade, is the next big thing: and it hasn't been.
"It's mainly only gamers, and very niche gamers, who use it at the moment.
"This probably expands the way that you can use a VR headset.
"The fact that Apple is making it it's own computer - with it's own computer chip and it's own app store - and it's launching it essentially for a six-month window for developers before it goes on the market... if anything is going to bring VR into the mainstream, it's this," he added.
A promotional video for the device is below:
