What to know

  • Apple is reportedly working on integrating AI features into the Vision Pro headset.
  • The AI capabilities, likely part of “Apple Intelligence,” are expected to roll out next year.
  • This move aligns with Apple’s broader strategy to incorporate AI across its product lineup.

Apple’s foray into spatial computing with the Vision Pro headset might soon get an AI boost. According to reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the tech giant is working on bringing its suite of AI features, likely under the “Apple Intelligence” banner, to its mixed reality device. However, Vision Pro users shouldn’t expect these enhancements to arrive this year.

The integration of AI into the Vision Pro aligns with Apple’s broader strategy to incorporate artificial intelligence across its product lineup. The company has already announced plans to bring AI-powered features to iPhones, iPads, and Macs with the upcoming iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15 updates. These features are expected to include improvements to Siri, enhanced text generation capabilities, and AI-assisted photo editing tools.

While specific details about how AI will be implemented in the Vision Pro remain scarce, it’s not hard to imagine the potential applications. The headset’s spatial computing capabilities could be significantly enhanced by AI, potentially improving gesture recognition, environmental understanding, and even the creation of more realistic digital avatars for communication.

The timing of this AI integration is noteworthy. Apple’s decision to hold off on including these features at launch suggests a cautious approach, possibly to ensure a smooth rollout of the Vision Pro’s core functionalities before adding more complex AI capabilities. It also gives developers time to create apps that can leverage these upcoming AI features effectively.

This move comes as Apple faces increasing pressure in the AI space from competitors like Google and Microsoft, who have been more vocal about their AI initiatives. By bringing AI to the Vision Pro, Apple could potentially leapfrog other mixed reality devices in terms of functionality and user experience.

However, questions remain about how Apple will implement AI in a way that aligns with its strong stance on user privacy. The company has traditionally preferred on-device processing for sensitive tasks, and it will be interesting to see if this approach extends to AI features on the Vision Pro.

As we await more details, one thing is clear: the addition of AI to the Vision Pro could significantly expand the device’s capabilities and cement its position as a groundbreaking product in the spatial computing landscape. For now, though, Vision Pro early adopters will have to be content with the headset’s current feature set and look forward to AI enhancements in the future.

Via: TechCrunch