Apple's new headset could revolutionize the metaverse

Apple’s Vision Pro mixed reality headset was unveiled to the public on June 5. From what certain observers have seen, it could bring about a significant change in the way users experience the metaverse. Developers could move away from the absolute isolation of virtual reality.

The launch of Apple’s Vision Pro headset could change the way users interact with the metaverse — moving away from purely immersive virtual worlds for ones blended with reality, according to metaverse commentators @peterxing and @alysesue. https://t.co/1s0bBEx95G

— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) July 18, 2023

Why is Apple’s mixed reality headset different?

The virtual reality headsets on the market offer total immersion in an entirely digital world. Apple’s new Vision Pro, on the other hand, has the ability to superimpose applications onto the real world. This will enable users to “interact with digital content in a way that feels like it’s physically present in their space”.

Apple’s Vision Pro comes with a new technology that Apple calls “EyeSight”. It uses lens trickery to make the user’s facial expressions more natural to strangers. It also switches the display between a transparent and opaque view, depending on whether a user is consuming immersive content or interacting with people in the real world.

Why is the Vision Pro important for the Blockchain?

In an interview, Alyse Su, head of metaverse at KPMG, said, “With traditional headsets or whatever, there’s this barrier between people who wear it and people who don’t. It feels like we’re in two different worlds. Now, there are very few barriers between people, so you can have relatively transparent interactions,” she added. According to Su, eye-tracking technology can be used to help create personalized experiences.

“They have integrated a lot of neuroscience or neurotechnology research into this headset. The most overlooked part is the predictive pupil dilation tracking technology, which is based on their years of neurological research,” said Su.

The founder of blockchain-based project Transhuman Coin, Peter Xing, also praises Apple’s headset design for “integrating with the natural way we interact as humans”. He insists that its unique eye-tracking capabilities are one of the biggest steps forward for the metaverse.

Emotional expression in the metaverse is still very rough. What’s more, there’s still something of a disconnect between the two worlds. Could Apple’s Vision Pro be the solution to make the metaverse more realistic?