Apple Unveils New $3,499 Mixed Reality Headset, Vision Pro

Apple has revealed its much-anticipated augmented reality headset, Apple Vision Pro.

In the company’s first major hardware launch for almost a decade, Apple CEO Tim Cook said the new headset "seamlessly blends the real world and the virtual world".

The headset has a two-hour battery life, costs $3,499 (£2,849) and will be released early next year in the US.

The company's share price fell slightly during the announcement, made at a developer's conference at Apple Park, the company's headquarters, in Cupertino, California.

Some have questioned the look of the Vision Pro, being closer to a pair of ski goggles than a VR headset.

Apple used the phrase "augmented reality" to describe what the new device does.

Augmented reality, also known as mixed reality, superimposes virtual objects in the world around us - enabling us to mix reality with virtual reality by looking through a screen.

In his pitch, Cook said the headset allows users to "see, hear and interact with digital content just like it's in your physical space", and is controlled by using a combination of hands, eyes and voice.

Along with the Vision Pro announcement, Apple also unveiled the latest version of its iPhone operating system, iOS17.

Updates include "contact posters" - a picture or image of yourself that will appear on a person's phone when you call them - and "live voicemail" - which provides a real-time transcription of an answerphone message being left to you. This transcription will also apply to audio messages left using Apple Messages. A new system called Check-In was also introduced, which will automatically tell a friend or family member when you've arrived home.

The new operating system will be available in Autumn 2023.

Main image credit: Jeff Chiu/AP