The future of sports viewing, particularly Formula 1 racing, could be on the cusp of a revolutionary shift with Apple’s Vision Pro mixed reality headset. Designer John LePore’s concept of an F1 companion app for the Vision Pro provides a tantalizing glimpse into how immersive sports experiences could become. This concept suggests that fans could enjoy a 3D map of the race track on their coffee table, complete with real-time data on car positions and laps remaining, all while watching the race unfold on a virtual high-definition screen.
Apple’s foray into mixed reality with the Vision Pro, combined with its investment in live sports for its streaming service, positions the company uniquely to transform how we engage with sports. The potential to integrate live sports viewing with interactive, spatial computing experiences offers a compelling proposition for fans seeking a more immersive connection to their favorite events.
While this F1 app remains a concept, the idea underlines the broader potential of mixed reality technology to enhance how we experience live sports. As Apple continues to develop its ecosystem, incorporating both hardware like the Vision Pro and content through services like Apple TV+, the stage is set for a new era of sports entertainment, marked by unprecedented immersion and interactivity.
Apple announced the Vision Pro at its Worldwide Developer Conference last year. This is the first new product category in years for the company.
It’s a $3,500 wearable computing platform you don over your head.
The headset has been in the works for years, with Apple taking its familiar wait-and-see approach while other giant tech companies have dived headfirst into the AR/VR market. The new platform and headset have massive implications for the rest of the market; once Apple wades into a product category, it often both validates the category and obviates competitors.
The device was described by Tim Cook (CEO of Apple) as “…the first product you look through, and not at. You can see, hear, and act with digital content just like it’s in your physical space. You’re no longer limited by a display.”
“Apple Vision Pro will introduce spatial computing” similar to the way the iPhone introduced mobile computing.“
“Apple Vision Pro will change the way we communicate and collaborate,” he said.
The Apple headset allows the wearer to see the real or physical world around them, unlike VR headsets that fully envelop the face and limit visibility. There’s a floating “Home View” visible as soon as the wearer straps it on. The company expects people will wear this as part of their day-to-day.
The Vision Pro operates completely independently, so you don’t need to pair it with another device. Once you’re wearing it, you’ll be interfacing with visionOS, Apple’s new spatial operating system which offers a unique software experience that somehow feels familiar. It’s kind of like iOS but suspended in midair. You can watch movies, revisit memories in the Photos app, play games, and even do some work.
This last point is the most attractive. You can connect a wireless keyboard and mouse to the Vision Pro if you want to get real work done, or you can stare at your MacBook’s screen to bring it into visionOS over Wi-Fi (powered by the laptop); here, you can add other virtual screens to supplement your work.
The headset features 4K displays, infrared cameras, and LED illuminators. The field of view isn’t limited, which means it’s likely not using the waveguide lens technology common on other augmented-reality headsets (which refract light and cast virtual objects into the wearer’s eyes.) It’s running on Apple’s M2 chip, as well as a new, mixed-reality-specific R1 chip.
One of the notable features of the Vision Pro headset is its small dial, which lets wearers alternate between mixed-reality mode—seeing more of the real world—and virtual-reality mode, which offers more immersive face-computing. It also relies on voice input, including Siri, to open and close apps and play media. Tiny spatial audio speakers are nestled in the soft headband.
The Vision Pro is equipped with an external battery pack, similar to how other augmented-reality headsets, such as NReal’s glasses and Magic Leap’s headsets, have been designed. This sometimes makes for a clunkier experience overall, but it means the headset is lighter.
A new technology called Eyesight is touted. When someone is nearby, they’ll suddenly appear in your view, even if you’re using the headset in a more immersive mode. There’s also the option to capture a spatial photo or video from directly within the headset, thanks to a built-in 3D camera. (The same 3D camera will capture your image and create a realistic 3D avatar of you.)
What the experience of getting to try Vision Pro last year at WWDC was like? At the start, you’re asked to scan your face twice on an iPhone, just like you would to set up Face ID.
Some of the apps are native Apple apps, such as FaceTime. You can also send emails, surf the web, and connect with external accessories for work. The official launch of Vision Pro means other app makers can start building or tweaking their apps for Apple’s latest platform. For example, Microsoft apps, such as Teams. Unity-based games will also be portable to the headset. The new platform could create new immersive experiences for Disney fans and teed off a demo of the Disney+ app being used in VR. Disney+ will be available at launch.
In conclusion, the technology is impressive. And as it progresses it will inevitably shrink so that one day, you’ll just be wearing normal-looking glasses.
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are two rapidly developing technologies with a wide range of applications. AR overlays digital information onto the real world, while VR creates an immersive digital environment that users can interact with.
Both AR and VR are having a significant impact on the workspace, school space, and everyday life. In the workspace, AR and VR are being used to improve training, safety, and productivity. In the school space, AR and VR are being used to create more engaging and immersive learning experiences. In everyday life, AR and VR are being used to enhance entertainment, shopping, and communication.
Impact on the workspace
Training
One of the most significant impacts of AR and VR on the workplace is in training. AR and VR can provide trainees a realistic and safe environment to practice their skills. For example, Boeing is using VR to train its assembly workers on how to build new aircraft. The US military is using VR to train soldiers on how to operate weapons and navigate different terrains.
Safety
AR and VR can also be used to improve safety in the workplace. For example, AR glasses can provide workers with real-time information about hazards and safety procedures. AR can also be used to guide workers through complex tasks. For example, General Electric is using AR to help workers repair jet engines.
Productivity
AR and VR can also be used to improve productivity in the workplace. For example, AR can be used to provide workers with hands-free access to information and instructions. VR can be used to create virtual meeting spaces and collaboration tools. For example, Microsoft Teams now offers VR meeting spaces, allowing users to collaborate in a virtual environment.
Impact on the School Space
AR and VR are being used to create more engaging and immersive learning experiences. For example, AR can be used to bring science textbooks to life or to allow students to explore historical sites. VR can be used to transport students to different places and times or to allow them to experience complex concepts firsthand.
For example, the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania uses AR to bring its science exhibits to life. Students can point their smartphones at the exhibits to see additional information and animations. The University of North Carolina is using VR to transport students to different historical sites and allow them to experience them firsthand. For example, students can take a virtual tour of the Roman Colosseum or the Great Wall of China.
Impact on everyday life
AR and VR are being used to enhance entertainment, shopping, and communication in everyday life. For example, AR can be used to play interactive games or to try on clothes before you buy them. VR can be used to watch movies and TV shows in a more immersive way or to attend virtual concerts and sporting events.
For example, IKEA is using AR to allow customers to try on furniture in their own homes before they buy it. Customers can point their smartphones at the place where they want to place the furniture to see how it would look. The North Face is using VR to allow customers to experience their products in a virtual outdoor environment. Customers can hike through a virtual forest or climb a virtual mountain.
AR and VR are also being used to improve communication. For example, AR can be used to translate languages in real-time or to provide sign language interpretation. VR can be used to create virtual meeting spaces and collaboration tools. For example, Facebook is developing AR glasses that can be used to translate languages in real-time and provide sign language interpretation.
Conclusion
AR and VR are two rapidly developing technologies with a wide range of applications. AR and VR are having a significant impact on the workspace, school space, and everyday life. As these technologies continue to develop, we can expect to see even more innovative and ground-breaking applications.
Not so long time ago Apple has unveiled the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models, which had LTPO displays that support ProMotion refresh rates from 1 Hz to 120 Hz. The panel also allows the two smartphones to offer the AOD (always-on display) feature. Apple has limited these displays to the Pro models, and it is likely to remain so for the future iPhone 15 series.
According to the leak, the standard iPhone 15 devices will not come equipped with LPTO displays, meaning that the devices will not have ProMotion and always-on display support. The source also reports that Apple has settled the agreement on supplies for the iPhone 15 and will begin mass production soon. However, only the Pro series will support the 120Hz refresh rate, while regular and Plus models will have a regular 60Hz screen.
AOD is a relatively new feature for Apple smartphones, which recently appeared on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max versions. Thus, it will be impossible for the iPhone 15 models to support AOD without the LTPO display, as the 1Hz refresh rate (available with LPTO) allows the screen to remain on without draining the battery.
Earlier, display analyst Ross Young also claimed that all models in the iPhone 15 series would support the Dynamic Island feature, but the standard models would not have LTPO panels due to production scale limitations.
The Vanilla iPhone 15 models may not receive the latest LTPO panels, but they may have a more energy-efficient OLED display driver chip manufactured using a 28-nanometer process. Current models use a chip based on a 40-nm process. It is expected that the 28-nm chip in the iPhone 15 models will significantly reduce power consumption, resulting in a longer battery life.
There are some good news for both Apple fans and those who like feeling bright and fresh (and for Minions fans). Apple has announced yellow versions of the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus.
In September 2022 Apple announced iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus which were introduced in several color options, including black (midnight), white (moonlight), purple, blue, and the Product(RED) variant. Thus, the Pro version line does not have a color variation change, at least for now. Nowadays the iPhone 14 line looks like this:
Sure thing, in terms of functionality, they are identical to the other colors. The price is also unchanged, starting from $799 (from 5199 PLN in Poland) for a regular iPhone 14, and from $899 (from 5899 PLN in Poland) for Plus version.
Pre-orders will be available since March 10th in 60 countries. For those who prefer shopping in a physical store, the new iPhones will be available for sale on March 14th along with new canary-yellow silicone case colors. It is officially proved that the fact of releasing new color is related to demand and theoretically increases Apple iPhone mid-product sales. It also gives the company a reason to refresh the straps for the Apple Watch at some point.
In 2023, European Union will be facing big changes. One of those is a new legislation proposed by European Commission back in 2020, which would change the flow of competition on the digital market. DMA or Digital Market Act was signed in late 2022 and is aimed to create fairer competition and containment of the possible domination on the market with tech giants.
This regulation is especially interesting when it comes to Apple Inc.
The company has been facing criticisms all the time through their existence. It was usually related to the gadgets itself, operating systems, as well as the criticism from app developers.
The last one, is the crucial when it comes to the discussion about DMA. App developers are dissatisfied with the fact that Apple controls everything when it comes to downloading apps and third-party softwares’. In addition, the company has set 30% fee for them, which gradually decreases and threatens revenues.
In terms of the implementation of DMA, it was the biggest change of the governing laws’ in more than 2 decades, and it creates a huge threat for Apple’s control of its closed and secure operating system (IOS).
The DMA not only requires opening up the possibility to download app from different external sources, but also to allow the developers to install third-party payment systems. Nowadays, if the app provides its customers with so-called IAP (in-app purchase), Apple takes 15-30% as the commission, and as it was said by chief execute of the company Tim Cook, such system does not suit in terms of DMA, however, coming up with a new idea would create a mess.
It is more interesting to consider what will Apple do, what they will have to create and/or change to fit the regulation.
The company is widely known as lawyers seekers, so it is expected that they will not only challenge DMA by trying to interpret what seeping laws entails, but also through direct confrontation between the European Commission and Apple over the implementation of the rules.
What else can Apple do?
Firstly, apps that provide banking or pick-up services, that currently does now pay any fees can be forced to do this, as well as the c0mpany can cut their inside fees to become even attractive to the developers.
This move would lead big companies that left Apple Store, for instance, Spotify, to come back, not offering their current way of paying for the subscription via the website. As this can result to high traffic without any significant impact on the revenue.
This is going to be spectacular to see how companies will be changing aiming to fit in the new legislations, as those are considered to be huge changes not only for European Union as a whole, but also the companies that would like to compete even with such tech giants as Apple.
Apple recently unveiled the new apple watch ultra, which was created with extreme athletes in mind, according to the manufacturer it can also be used as a dive computer, have they really succeeded?
The screen is clear and very visible underwater compared to typical dive computers, 40 metres is the maximum depth you can go underwater in it.
However, any dive computer should show: depth, time since the start of the dive, time without decompression. This last point is missing from the Apple Watch for now as only the basic version’s available. The Oceanic+ app that would allow the watch to be upgraded’s not yet available (and it’s not certain when it’ll appear). When it does appear it may work well but you’ll have to pay a subscription of $5 per day, $10 per month, or $80 per year. Which means that despite spending a lot of money on the watch (it’s the most expensive apple watch ever) we still have to pay extra, which Apple does not inform us about well.
In that case, isn’t it better to just buy a professional watch that will include all the necessary functions in? 4x cheaper you have such a Sunto Zoop Novo but if you are a sports nut and need more sports modes like the Apple Watch offer, a great choice would be the Garmin Descent Mk2S, for the same price with no hidden costs.
For profesional diver this device so far may not be enough, but the casual pearson, like me, who likes to jump in the water from time to time to collect seashells may like it.
Recently, the European Union parliament has voted to standardise the USB-C charging port for all portable electronic devices (including laptops) by the end of 2024. The main goal of this legislation is to reduce e-waste, but there are many other positive changes coming as a result it. One of which is the end of Apple’s “monopoly” on chargers.
Back in 2007, when the first iPhone hit the market, mobile phone companies tended to have different chargers for their products. With the evolution of the smartphone, some chargers got more common than other, eventually settling on the microUSB (Android devices) and Lighting (Apple devices) chargers for a while. The biggest problem here was that, Apple was controlling their chargers and didn’t share their technology, which meant iPhone and Android users couldn’t use their chargers interchangeably and had to have chargers for their own devices. Which also meant more waist created for example by people who switched platforms and had to get new chargers.
When the USB-C started appearing in new smartphones, people quickly realised that it might be the near future for mobile chargers. Even Apple introduced it to their laptops. So when the EU announced the plans to standardise USB-C, people realised that means the end of the ”monopoly” on iPhone chargers for Apple, and even the father of the iPod and former Apple VP, Tony Fadell, said it is the “right thing” to do.
The new MacBook Air M2 (2022) looks so good that you’re going to wonder if you should pay for a MacBook Pro. Compared to the previous MacBook Air M1, you get a more powerful M2 chip, bigger and brighter 13.6-inch display and improved 1080p webcam in an extremely portable design that’s 20% smaller than the previous model.
The first thing I noticed about the new MacBook Air 2022 is how small and light it feels. The weight has only shrunk slightly (2.7 pounds from 2.8 pounds), but the overall design is 20% smaller in volume vs the MacBook Air M1. And it’s thinner, too, at 0.4 inches vs 0.6 inches for the older model.
At the same time, the MacBook Air M2 doesn’t feel too light, as some systems can that are made with magnesium. This is still a very solid unibody aluminum design.
Apple gives you four color options with the MacBook Air 2022, including Midnight (blue), Starlight (pale gold), Space Gray and Silver. I’m a big fan of the Midnight option, as it shifts from dark blue to a brighter blue depending on how the light hits it. The Midnight MacBook Air has personality without being too loud.
The new MacBook Air has the most Pro-level display yet, and that’s thanks to an increased brightness of 500 nits. This is one bright and colorful panel, and it’s now a bit bigger at 13.6 inches (up from 13.3 inches), thanks to Apple shrinking the borders.
The 2560 x 1664-pixel display looked vivid when I watched some footage from Apple TV Plus’ Prehistoric Planet. And I could make out fine details on the snout of one particularly menacing looking dinos.
With support for 1 billion colors, wide color support (P3) and True Tone built in, this is one of the best displays for the money this side of an OLED panel. And while I could do without the notch up top, it’s not too distracting.
When it comes to audio, the new Air is the best sounding laptop in the line yet, thanks to a four-speaker sound system that’s located between the display and keyboard. During a demo I was very impressed with the volume and clarity. But the bass is definitely lacking versus the Pro.
Even with the reduction in size, the MacBook Air promises epic endurance. Apple rates the new MacBook Air 2022 for 18 hours of video playback and 15 hours of wireless web surfing. Neither of those numbers vary from what Apple promises with the M1 MacBook Air, though. We’ll be putting the new Air through our battery test to evaluate these claims.
Based on our initial impressions, the new MacBook Air 2022 could be one of the best laptops of the year. The design is delightfully portable, and the display is simply awesome in person. I also like the powerful sound system and the potential of the mighty M2 chip.
So who would get the $1,299 / AU$1,999 13-inch MacBook Pro? Anyone who wants even more power (thanks to its active cooling system) and 10-core GPU standard. Plus, the Pro offers even longer battery life of up to 20 hours of video playback.
Here is the one of the greatest advertisements of all time:
Google has decided to test the possibility of allowing developers to use their own billing systems on their apps, with Spotify being one of the first to be granted the opportunity.
Allowing such feature would allow users to pay or subscribe through the app rather than having to go to an external website from the developer. In this case users will be given the choice to subscribe to Spotify through the app using either their Google Play wallet, or Spotify’s own billing method. Under this new agreement Spotify will be charged less than the standard 30% commission, but the final figure has not been announced at this time.
I believe that the move is beneficial to both companies and will most likely lead to change in the app market, if this method proves successful it will allow more developers the ability to adopt this feature. Having the ability of using your own billing system is a big advantage and useful tool for developers. In the past when using Apple’s App Store, if users wanted to purchase a Spotify subscription they were required to pay £12.99 due to Apple’s 30% commission, Apple also didn’t allow the possibility of Spotify telling users to subscribe outside of the App Store system to pay less, which it was later ruled that the move was in breach of the EU Competition Law, following this Spotify stopped the ability for new users to subscribe with Apple, and to use their website instead. This move from Google will help to avoid problems like this on their platform, and may later push Apple in a similar direction of it proves to be a competitive advantage for Google.