The past few months have been exceptionally thrilling for VR enthusiasts, with tech giants Apple and Metaverse unveiling their groundbreaking VR projects online.
On June 5, 2023, Apple unveiled the Vision Pro headset at its Worldwide Developers Conference, with availability slated for early 2024 in the US and later worldwide. Apple hails the Vision Pro as a groundbreaking VR device that revolutionizes user interaction with the digital realm. Powered by Vision OS, it seamlessly integrates favorite apps into the physical environment, introducing an innovative and familiar method of digital navigation. Users can engage with dimensionality through gestures, taps, and voice commands, all while preserving an immersive experience that connects individuals within the same physical space.
The Vision Pro maintains its VR headset essence, akin to the Meta Quest, featuring adjustable headstraps and a connection to a silver battery pack via a white power cable. It impresses with its remarkable displays, video passthrough capabilities, and comfortable design. In conclusion, Apple’s Vision Pro bridges the gap between the digital and physical worlds, delivering a powerful and immersive encounter. While some questions persist regarding its real-world applications, it marks a significant leap in VR technology, with developers poised to unlock its full potential.
In a remarkable showcase of VR realism, Mark Zuckerberg introduced his photorealistic 3D avatars during an interview with AI researcher Lex Fridman on September 28, 2023. The level of realism achieved in Zuckerberg’s VR surpasses Apple’s representation. In contrast to Apple, Zuckerberg revealed plans for a gradual rollout of this new technology over the coming years.
During their conversation, they explored the role of avatars in shaping digital identities, delving into the evolving nature of these representations and the profound psychological impact of interacting with lifelike avatars. They even touched upon the emotionally charged concept of interacting with deceased loved ones in the metaverse, highlighting the need for ethical guidelines in such encounters.
The discussion also ventured into the transformative potential of the Metaverse, where physical and digital realities harmoniously merge. Zuckerberg emphasized the profound shift in our understanding of reality, emphasizing the fusion of physicality and the digital landscape. Both Fridman and Zuckerberg envisioned a future where intimate, lifelike conversations transcend the boundaries of the physical world.
