Tag Archives: Vision Pro

Android, Consumer Electronics, Entertainment, News

Play For Dream MR Takes on Apple’s Vision Pro at a Lower Price Point

June 25, 2024 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

Play for Dream Technology, a mixed reality company currently based out of China, is taking Apple’s Vision Pro head-on with its new Play for Dream MR. The new mixed reality headset is not only bringing a lot of the features that made Apple’s Vision Pro notable, but it’s also making some big improvements.

The Play for Dream MR headset runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR+ Gen 2. The processor is built from the ground up for Mixed and Extended-reality experiences. It has 16GB of RAM supporting this processor and is available with up to 1TB of onboard storage. When it comes to optics, the Play for Dream MR comes with two 8K micro OLED screens – one per eye. Unlike other mixed-reality headsets, the Play for Dream MR headset comes with a Pancake optics solution that is developed by the team at Play for Dream Technologies. The company’s solution is made of ultra-lightweight resin which reduces the weight of the lenses tremendously. According to the company, it’s the lightest available right now.

Design-wise, the same approach is also being used when it comes to the design of the wearable. The MR headset is built to not only look futuristic but also be light. The main factor behind this approach is simply the comfort of wearing the headset over prolonged periods of time. The headset is only 33mm thick and even has a built-in battery. You can also get extra juice with an additional power bank for even longer MR sessions. It’s also designed with a 3:2 weight distribution to minimise neck strain.

There are a total of 11 high-performance cameras that are paired with 7 different types of sensors and 22 infra-red LEDs for precise multimodal interaction. The main cameras on the Play For Dream MR are dual 32-megapixel sensors which are used for view through for extended and augmented-reality application. In addition, these cameras can also be used to capture immersive, 3D content that can be used with the Play for Dream MR. The MR also has a large 103° field of view with about 45 pixels per degree (PPD).

On top of these specs, Play for Dream Technologies has also developed its own MR OS called DreamOS based on Android. This OS while built on Android expands the capabilities of it to include productivity features, the ability to create 3D content and more. What could be a hallmark feature when it comes to the MR is its AI Assistant, Xiao Hu. The cute, furry little creature is the Play for Dream MR’s visual manifestation of Iron Man’s Jarvis. For now, Xiao Hu is able to handle searches, music composition, translation and precise voice control. That said, Xiao Hu is only one of the AI features that will be coming with the MR.

While augmented- and mixed-reality are amazing, it’s not worth much if there’s no content. Play For Dream Technologies is partnering with over 100 content companies to ensure that the platform has a robust app and content ecosystem. In addition, partners like Unity are helping the company figure out apps as both immersive 3D experiences and regular app experiences. When it comes to content, the headset is able to provide an immersive theatrical experience as the in OS screen can provide experiences that mimic a screen that is over 1000-inches big.

The development of immersive content experiences has also influenced the design and features of the headset. The Play for Dream MR comes with speakers that are able to deliver DTS:X audio and IMAX immersive audio. These speakers are developed in partnership with Xperi (the company behind DTS:X) and IMAX. The built-in speakers are able to deliver simulated 7.1-channel audio that has been IMAX Enhanced certified. The built-in speakers are also able to create 3D immersive sound. CEO and Founder of Play for Dream, Huang Feng, mentioned that the company chose to go with built-in speakers to create a more immersive experience but more importantly, to provide an integrated experience that is more conducive to long hours of use. He iterated that using earbuds may not be the best option.

Like other VR headsets, the MR comes with controllers or joysticks. These controllers come with 6DoF and lack the halo design we’re used to seeing in other systems. However, they are more accurate and have better range of movement. In addition, the Play for Dream MR has basic and advanced gesture controls. These gestures are developed in collaboration with Sogou, a company that has already made waves with gestures based controls in the past. These gestures are detected by the large number of sensors on the headset. These sensors are supposedly able to track the gestures with increased accuracy and precision.

Pricing & Availability

The only official pricing announced during the launch of the Play for Dream MR is USD$1X99 – which is a fraction of the price of the Apple Vision Pro. However, the MR will be rolling out officially in Malaysia and Singapore starting in October 2024. Other Asia Pacific countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and more will follow in 2025.

We expect that the headset will be priced at about USD$1,899 or just a tad bit lower. However, at this point, the MR is entering a market which is stagnating barring the interest behind the Apple Vision Pro. However, with an option that is not only cheaper, but more open for everyone with a lower price point and what looks like to be a promising competitor that can invigorate the space when it comes to gaming and even how we consume our conent.

Business, Lifestyle, News

Apple’s Vision Pro Headset Available in New Regions Starting June 28

June 12, 2024 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

Apple’s Vision Pro is expanding its reach beyond its initial launch markets. Announced at WWDC 2023, Vision Pro has captured the imagination of many with its promise of revolutionizing the way we interact with the digital world. Initially available only in the United States, the headset is now poised to reach a wider audience with pre-orders opening in a wave of new countries and regions.

Apple WWDC24 Vision Pro global availability hero 240610 big.jpg.large 2x

The Vision Pro blends seamlessly with the digital world, offering users a unique augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experience. Imagine working on a complex design project with colleagues scattered across the globe, yet feeling virtually present in the same room through collaborative AR tools. It has also opened doors for immersive entertainment experiences, transporting users to fantastical virtual worlds or allowing them to enjoy a front-row seat at a concert from the comfort of their living room.

The announcement of the global expansion of the Vision Pro’s availability coincides with the unveiling of VisionOS 2, the headset’s latest operating system update. VisionOS 2 introduces a range of exciting features designed to enhance the user experience. One such feature is Spatial Photos, allowing users to transform their existing 2D photos into stunning 3D experiences. Imagine revisiting a cherished vacation by putting on your Vision Pro headset and stepping into a virtual recreation of a breathtaking landscape you captured with your phone.

Apple WWDC24 Vision Pro global availability Microsoft 365 productivity apps 240610 big.jpg.large 2x

The pre-order schedule for Vision Pro in the new regions is staggered. China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore will have the opportunity to pre-order the headset beginning June 13th, with wider availability starting June 28th. For users in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, pre-orders open on June 28th with availability commencing July 12th. Pricing starts at USD$3,299 (approximately RM16,515.48).

Business, Lifestyle, News

Apple Vision Pro Getting More Features with VisionOS 2

June 12, 2024 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

Many were quick to write off Apple’s Vision Pro headset after the initial rollout of the device. However, WWDC 2024 saw Apple bring even more features to the mixed-reality headset. Initially designed to revolutionize the way we interact with the digital world, the headset has revitalised interest in mixed- and augmented-reality headsets.

Apple WWDC24 visionOS 2 Travel Mode trains 240610 big.jpg.large 2x

This year’s VisionOS 2 update promises a range of enhancements focused on spatial experiences, improved user interaction, and deeper integration with Macs, solidifying Vision Pro’s position as a powerful tool for creativity, productivity, and entertainment.

VisionOS 2 introduces a groundbreaking feature known as Spatial Photos. Imagine transforming your existing 2D photos into stunning 3D experiences. Using advanced machine learning algorithms, VisionOS 2 analyzes depth and perspective within your photos, creating a sense of space and dimension. Imagine revisiting a cherished vacation by putting on your Vision Pro headset and stepping into a virtual recreation of a breathtaking landscape you captured with your phone. Spatial Photos breathe new life into your memories, allowing you to relive them in a more immersive and interactive way.

Apple WWDC24 visionOS 2 Magic Keyboard breakthrough 240610 big.jpg.large 2x

VisionOS 2 also refines the gesture control system for navigating the virtual environment within your Vision Pro headset. Imagine using intuitive hand gestures to interact with applications and manipulate virtual objects. You could perform actions like swiping through menus, pinching to zoom in or out, and even grabbing and moving virtual objects with natural hand motions. This refined gesture control system promises a more intuitive and user-friendly experience within the virtual world.

Apple WWDC24 visionOS 2 Mac Virtual Display 240610 big.jpg.large 2x

For those who rely on Vision Pro for productivity tasks, VisionOS 2 introduces a significant upgrade: the ultra-wide virtual Mac display. Imagine mirroring your Mac desktop onto a virtual screen within your Vision Pro headset that replicates the experience of working with two side-by-side 4K monitors. This expansive virtual display provides ample space for multitasking, allowing you to view and interact with multiple applications simultaneously. Additionally, VisionOS 2 offers support for a physical mouse for tasks that require greater precision, further streamlining your workflow within the virtual environment.

While Spatial Photos, improved hand gestures, and the ultra-wide virtual Mac display take centre stage in VisionOS 2, there are additional enhancements worth mentioning. The update introduces a redesigned home screen for a more intuitive and organized app layout within your Vision Pro. Additionally, developers gain access to a wider range of APIs and tools, empowering them to create even more immersive and interactive experiences for the Vision Pro platform.

Lifestyle, Mobile, News

Apple Vision Pro Will Seamlessly Integrate iPhone & iPad Apps

September 6, 2023 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

Apple‘s upcoming mixed-reality headset, the Apple Vision Pro. The upcoming headset is set to blur the lines between the virtual and real worlds, and Apple is taking steps to ensure that users have a multitude of apps at their fingertips from day one.

The Vision Pro is set to launch with its own OS dubbed visionOS and it’s set to face an uphill climb when it comes to apps. It looks like Apple is looking to tackle this challenge head-on. The company has announced that iPhone and iPad apps will seamlessly integrate into the visionOS App Store. This means that users will have access to their favourite apps and games, creating a more connected, productive, and entertaining experience.

Developers, in particular, will appreciate Apple’s approach. The company is streamlining the process by ensuring that most iPad and iPhone apps can run on visionOS without any modifications. This decision eliminates the need for developers to rework their existing apps for the new platform.

According to Apple, “By default, your iPad and/or iPhone apps will be published automatically on the App Store on Apple Vision Pro. Most frameworks available in iPadOS and iOS are also included in visionOS, which means nearly all iPad and iPhone apps can run on visionOS, unmodified.”

Apple WWCD23 Vision Pro lifestyle working 230605

While the automatic integration of existing apps is a significant advantage, Apple is also empowering developers to take things further. The visionOS Software Development Toolkit (SDK) provides developers with the tools they need to optimize their apps for the Vision Pro headset. This includes adding elements such as 3D content designed for eye and hand input, creating a more natural and immersive user experience.

The company plans to release a developer beta version of visionOS in the fall. This beta will include the App Store, ensuring that developers can test their apps on the platform well in advance of its official launch.

Users can expect to explore their favourite iPad and iPhone apps side by side with new visionOS apps on the expansive canvas of the Apple Vision Pro. The headset is slated for release early next year, making it a highly anticipated addition to Apple’s product lineup.

Apple’s decision to seamlessly integrate iPhone and iPad apps into the Apple Vision Pro ecosystem is a strategic move that potentially simplifies the user experience and streamlines development. It’s a step towards ensuring that the new platform has a rich library of apps from the get-go which ultimately benefits users and developers alike. As we await the Vision Pro’s official launch, it’s clear that Apple is committed to ensuring that it leaves a mark while trying to redefine the mixed reality experience.

Computers, Lifestyle, News

[WWDC 2023] The Apple Vision Pro – The Apple Computer on Your Face

June 7, 2023 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

Apple’s WWDC 2023 seems to be a big one. They announced a new iOS. They also announced their ultra-powerful (no pun intended) Apple M2 Ultra integrated chip that powers their newly announced Mac Studio desktop beast. The most shocking and interesting announcement they did though is not their new large format desktop with their most powerful integrated chip ever. They announced a sort of wearable headset that comes packing two processors. They call it the Vision Pro.

They referred to the Apple Vision Pro not really as a Virtual Reality (VR) or Augmented Reality (AR) machine though, funnily enough. They referred to the headset as a Spatial Computing tool, a sort of headset that “seamlessly blends digital content with the physical world”. So, an AR goggle it is, except it is a little different compared to the VR/AR goggles that we are used to these days.

Instead of dedicated controllers or physical navigation interfaces, the main interface with Vision Pro is gestures. You can technically connect other form of controller interfaces with the Apple Vision Pro, especially if you want to play traditional games on it. But it is designed to be controlled via your body and hand gestures almost entirely.

We mentioned two processors powering this new Vision Pro. It comes with an Apple standard M2 silicon integrated chip. Alongside that chip is Apple’s R1 chip. The R1 chip works alongside the M2 as an image controller and processor. Instead of crunching mathematical issues like the M2, the R1 controls feeds from 12 different cameras, five sensors, and six microphones that translates to navigation across the interface on the Vision Pro.

For the Vision Pro, they introduced an entirely new interface they call the VisionOS. They say that the the VisionOS will have access to the App Store and most of the apps made for the iPhone and the iPad. It even has access to FaceTime and allows you to take FaceTime calls with Spatial Audio if you like. Rather than your participants watching you wear a comically large headset, they see you as an avatar that you commonly see in iMessage. Your participants even get to see the entire body being represented in the video call with all the delicate finger movements and everything thanks to the highly advanced cameras and sensors. Apple even says that you can technically watch movies at what feels like 100-inch displays via the Vision Pro.

How they achieved this feat is by fitting two micro-OLED displays that offer up to 23 million pixels combined. Apple says that the micro-OLED displays are only at the size of a stamp and offers HDR and wide colour gamut coverage for the most accurate and immersive experience on an AR goggle you can get. They can even fit a Zeiss optical correction inserts into the Vision Pro if it is required by users. For Spatial Audio, there are speakers that are fitted right into the head band near your ears and works with the sensors within the Vision Pro to create a surround sound feel to your space. It can even be used wirelessly at up to two hours at a time. If not, just keep yourself tethered to a charge point for an all-day use. The proprietary battery pack has to be attached externally though, and you will still have a running cable from the battery pack to the headset.

Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple

So how much for all this innovation? A cool US$ 3,499 (MYR 16,114*), according to Apple. It will be available in the United States only for now and is only coming next year in 2024. Apple says that they will be bring the device to more regions in 2024 but did not specify which regions. We are not expecting the Vision Pro to make it into Malaysia at the same time as any other region though. There are no confirmations that the Apple Vision Pro will make it anywhere near the region too, so we are not entirely hopeful as well about its local availability. For more information on the Apple Vision Pro, you can head out to their website.

*approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.61 as of 07/06/2023 on xe.com

techENT