I’ve got to be honest, I’m no fan of VR. Having tested plenty of virtual reality headsets in the past the experience definitely hasn’t felt like the future. Yes, it’s clever technology that offers a brief wow moment at family gatherings when guests try it for the first time. But the clunky user interface, fussy setup and total isolation you feel when strapping these gadgets to your head means I’ve shoved them in the cupboard where they’ve stayed gathering dust.
Now there’s a new device from Apple and it’s definitely like nothing I’ve experienced before. It’s called the Vision Pro and despite not launching until next year the US technology giant gave me a chance to try it out at their Apple Park HQ in Cupertino, California.
Before I tell you about the experience of wearing the Vision Pro, I have to mention the price. At $3,499 (£3,000) this device, which looks just like futuristic ski goggles, is ludicrously expensive especially when compared to its rivals.
You could buy 11 Meta Quest devices or six PlayStation VRs and still have change left in the bank compared to investing in the Vision Pro. That's a ridiculous amount of money but this isn’t just another VR headset. It’s totally unique and could finally be the start of a virtual reality revolution.
Firstly, the design and build quality is way ahead of the competition and there's no question that this is the best-looking and most fashionable headset on the market.
Even the setup is different to anything I’ve tried before with Apple scanning my face and checking my vision to make sure I got the ultimate experience. And this isn't just a VIP service for me as, when it finally goes on sale, customers will get the same personalised process at Apple Stores across the world.
Thanks to its modular design, different inserts can also be popped inside to make sure light is blocked out and the fit feels comfortable. Once you place it on your head, the Vision Pro is fully and easily adjustable and within seconds I felt ready to switch on the ultra-high-resolution displays and go fully virtual.
Where things get really clever is the Vision Pro's ability to mix the real and virtual worlds together - that's what makes it so different from its rivals. Cameras dotted all over the headset allow you to see everything going on around you so you never feel isolated or claustrophobic.
It means you can walk around the room without bumping into the sofa or tripping on the coffee table - that's something other devices simply can't match.
Tap the Apple Watch-style Digital Crown on the side of the Vision Pro and you’ll see all the familiar family of Apple apps - such as Messages, Safari, Photos and Apple TV - pop up and float in front of your face.
Clever eye tracking means you then simply stare at the app or menu you want to interact with. Motion tracking then watches your hands with a simple pinch of your fingers acting like the click of a mouse. It all feels incredibly intuitive and you can even run numerous apps side by side for multitasking.
If you want to go fully immersive a quick spin of the Digital Crown makes the real world gently disappear and you'll suddenly find yourself in a dark cinema ready to watch a movie or be transported to a sandy beach as the sun sets.
If someone happens to walk into the room whilst viewing in this more immersive mode, you can opt to magically see their face and start a conversation without pausing the content. They will also see a clever graphical representation of your eyes which appear on the outside display which has been created to stop things from feeling so impersonal when wearing them.
There are a bunch of other clever features packed inside this device with it able to create 3D Spatial photos and videos which, when replayed, make you feel like you are actually back in the place where they were first filmed. I can see how these moments could create real emotion as you look back in time and sit down with your children when they were younger.
FaceTime calls are also taken to a new level with users able to chat whilst also collaborating on an interactive Freeform board which can be accessed by everyone on the call. It really does feel like you are in a meeting with someone who could actually be on the other side of the planet.
The realism is boosted further thanks to Spatial Audio which is pumped into your ears via tiny speakers on either side of the headband. You actually don't need to wear headphones when using this device and the sound even follows what's happening around you.
For example, move the FaceTime screen to one side and the person's voice moves in perfect sync with the visuals.
My demo lasted for around 30 minutes and I honestly didn't want it to stop. The intuitive user interface, mixed reality visuals and magical sound make this a truly game-changing gadget.
Although I'd never used it before, I mastered the controls in seconds and because it uses eye and hand tracking you don't need annoying controllers which often get lost or run out of power just when you want to use them.
Yes, it's very expensive and there's still the issue of how long you'd really want to wear it for - especially on a hot summer's day. Despite it being really comfy and a total joy to use I did feel a tiny sense of relief when I pulled it away from my face.
Although you can plug it into the mains, those wanting to use it on the move will be hamstrung by a two-hour battery life plus you have to carry a power pack as there's no in-built battery.
This is Apple's first attempt at mixed reality and it's going to totally change the way it's perceived and used.
I was incredibly sceptical when I sat down for the demo but what I witnessed just might change the future of work, play and entertainment.
If you don't believe me, just wait until you get a chance to test it out when it comes to Apple Stores next year.
