Vision Pro is a mixed-reality (MR) device that Apple announced in June and is expected to launch in the US early next year. MR is a technology that allows users to interact with both physical and digital objects at the same time, and it is part of a group of technologies called extended reality (XR), along with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
Vision Pro is a headset that resembles a pair of glasses, but with advanced sensors and cameras that can track the user’s eye movements, facial expressions, and hand gestures. It also has a high-resolution display that can project 3D images onto the user’s field of view, creating a realistic and immersive experience.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said that Vision Pro is “the most significant innovation in a decade” and that it will “change the way we see the world”. He also said that Vision Pro will enable new applications and experiences in various fields, such as education, entertainment, health care, and gaming.
How does Vision Pro compare to other XR devices?
Vision Pro is not the first XR device on the market, but it is expected to be one of the most advanced and user-friendly ones. Other XR devices include Facebook’s Oculus Quest 2, Microsoft’s HoloLens 2, and Google’s Glass Enterprise Edition 2.
However, Vision Pro has some advantages over its competitors, such as:
- Design: Vision Pro has a sleek and lightweight design that looks like a normal pair of glasses, unlike other XR devices that are bulky and conspicuous. Vision Pro also has a wireless connection to the iPhone, which acts as the processor and battery for the headset, reducing the weight and complexity of the device.
- Performance: Vision Pro has a high-resolution display that can produce lifelike 3D images with a wide field of view. It also has a low latency and high refresh rate, which means that the images are smooth and responsive to the user’s movements. Vision Pro also has advanced sensors and cameras that can track the user’s eye movements, facial expressions, and hand gestures, allowing for more natural and intuitive interactions with the digital world.
- Ecosystem: Vision Pro is integrated with Apple’s ecosystem of products and services, such as iOS, iCloud, App Store, Siri, FaceTime, iMessage, Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and more. This means that users can access their existing content and apps on Vision Pro, as well as new ones that are designed specifically for XR. Apple also has a large and loyal customer base that is willing to adopt its new products.
How does Vision Pro affect the XR industry?
Vision Pro is expected to have a positive impact on the XR industry, as it will increase the awareness and adoption of XR technologies among consumers and developers. According to IDC, a market research firm, the global XR market is projected to grow from $12 billion in 2020 to $72 billion in 2024.
Some of the benefits of Vision Pro for the XR industry are:
- Innovation: Vision Pro will inspire other XR companies to innovate and improve their products and services, as they will face more competition from Apple. This will lead to more diversity and quality in the XR market.
- Education: Vision Pro will educate consumers and developers about the potential and benefits of XR technologies, as they will be able to experience them firsthand. This will increase the demand and supply of XR content and applications.
- Collaboration: Vision Pro will foster collaboration among XR companies, as they will have to work together to create standards and protocols for interoperability and compatibility among different devices and platforms. This will enhance the user experience and convenience of XR technologies.
What is GDI?
GDI is a Chinese start-up that specializes in XR hardware and software solutions. It was founded in 2007 by Denny Zhou Qinghui, who was a programmer before he decided to start his own business.
GDI’s flagship product is IdeaXR, a software framework that allows users to design and create 3D immersive experiences without requiring much programming knowledge. IdeaXR uses a graphical interactive editor that simplifies the process of building VR content and applications.
IdeaXR was released in 2010 under the name DVS3D, and it has nearly 100,000 users in China. It is one of the most popular VR engines in China, besides Unity and Unreal Engine, which are made in the US.
GDI also produces other XR products, such as VR headsets, controllers, gloves, suits, treadmills, cameras, projectors, screens, speakers, and more. GDI provides end-to-end solutions for various industries, such as education, entertainment, health care, tourism, real estate, manufacturing, military, and more.
How does GDI view Vision Pro?
GDI views Vision Pro as an opportunity rather than a threat for its business. GDI’s founder and chairman, Denny Zhou, said that he is confident that Vision Pro will boost the adoption of XR technologies and benefit smaller players in the industry.
Zhou said that he has been working on XR technologies for over a decade, and he has seen many opportunities and progress in the field, especially after big companies like Apple joined. He said that he was impressed by the demonstrations of Vision Pro, and he thinks that the world is ready to embrace XR.
Zhou said that GDI’s advantage is its experience and expertise in XR technologies, as well as its flexibility and adaptability to the market. He said that GDI will continue to innovate and improve its products and services, and cooperate with other XR companies to create a better XR ecosystem.
Zhou also said that GDI is planning to expand its business internationally, and it is looking for partners and investors who share its vision and passion for XR.
