The digital age is seeing some of the most rapid technological innovations the world has ever seen, as big tech companies release products that seek to change the current landscape. From the release of wearable smart tech to AI-powered virtual assistants, companies continue to up the ante. In line with this, one of the anticipated releases receiving much buzz is the Apple Vision Pro, which is the first major new product from the tech giant.
Described as a spatial computer that uses augmented and virtual reality technology (AR and VR), the Vision Pro is a headset with a hefty price tag starting from $3,499. While Apple is known for its impressive technological and software feats, many are conscious of the high price range of the Vision Pro and are looking into possible alternatives that may better deserve the splurge. One emerging rival happens to come from Finnish startup Varjo, whose mixed-reality headset presents features that could compete with Apple.
The rise of eyewear in the digital age
One of the most considerable changes the digital era has brought is the rapid increase in screen use. People spend more time looking at screens today since devices like phones and personal computers are used for education, socialization, work, and entertainment. According to Time magazine, the average adult logs over seven hours of screen time daily. This is why blue light glasses were developed, as these are fitted with lenses that shield the eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) and blue-violet light emitted by screens. Using blue light glasses also makes it more comfortable to have prolonged screen time and reduces eye strain since these have filters like the BlueReflect Plus™ that reduce glare and protect the eyes long-term.
Aside from protection, companies have also begun to adapt screen-related eyewear to further online consumption and interaction. To illustrate, one notable eyewear venture that seeks to address the prevalence of technology use is smart glasses. One of the earliest iterations of this accessory from a big tech company was the Google Glass, which were smart glasses integrated with software that allowed wearers to receive visual or text messages without needing a handheld device. It displayed information directly using the lenses of the glasses, which was a novel feature during its release. Google decided to halt the production of their smart glasses, but other iterations like the Amazon Echo Frames, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, and Envision Glasses further developed the idea and introduced artificial intelligence (AI) for these products.
Emergence of new mixed reality eyewear
Since smart glasses are capable of integrating AR and VR technology along with AI, Apple took this feature and innovated it to create their Vision Pro. Apple CEO Tim Cook describes their product as “a new kind of computer,” as it is wearable as a headset but has powerful software that can run elaborate programs for work and play. Furthermore, the Vision Pro plays into spatial reality displays through its AR and VR capabilities, and Apple boasts that they have created a “revolutionary user interface” using this kind of technology.
Despite the merits of the Vision Pro, some tech experts claim that the mixed-reality headset from Finnish startup Varjo significantly rivals what Apple has to offer. The XR-4 headset retails at a price similar to the Vision Pro, starting at $3,990, but is aimed for business use rather than regular activities like browsing through social media or entertainment. The VR headset from Varjo also focuses on mixed reality and is able to handle programs that aid in training astronauts and pilots, as well as applications that help with processing advancements for medical research. Considering what the headset is capable of and more, the price seems more justified compared to the features produced by Apple.
With the kind of eyewear releases available on the market, most tech companies are on track to creating products that could further innovate the ways we interact with technology. Given the current trends, it can be expected that more companies will explore the capabilities of AR, VR, and AI to make iterations of eyewear that can do more for the regular consumer and at friendlier price points.