Apple announces a game-changer for mindfulness with its Vision Pro headset

It's a world first

Apple announced its new Vision Pro device at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference. Image: Supplied

The tech company’s latest announcement is one of the most exciting and important in recent years.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 16 years since Steve Jobs revealed the iPhone to the world.

No one then could have anticipated the impact it would have on our lives - except for, well, Apple.

Today, standing on stage for the annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) at its Cupertino-based headquarters, Tim Cook had the same glint of excitement in his eyes as he announced the launch of the tech giant’s long-rumoured mixed reality headset device, dubbed Vision Pro.

The new mixed-reality headset is powered by an external power pack with an expected battery life of two hours. Image: Supplied

Is this history in the making… again? 

It certainly felt like it, if the roaring applause that erupted from the crowd of tech-obsessed editors (a notoriously hard group to please, mind you) and developers is anything to go by.

Touted as the device that will introduce the world to spatial computing, Vision Pro will enable users to blend the real-world environment with digital content controlled by their eyes, hands and voice. 

Of all the experiences the device will enable (trust us, there are a lot), from being able to watch movies that feel like being in your own private cinema to turning any space into an infinite canvas for accessing and using apps, it’s the ability to utilise the Mindfulness app that has us most excited.

The new device will enable users to create private moments through immersive environments. Image: Supplied

Building on the experience first made available on Apple Watch, the Mindfulness app on Vision Pro will allow a user to create private and calm spaces to reflect, focus and centre themselves in what is likely to be a game-changer. We’re already thinking about its uses in the workplace (read: taking a moment from your chaotic schedule) to simply being able to escape the four walls of your home (like the small apartment this writer usually finds himself in). 

But does it mean we’ll all be sporting Vision Pro headsets while performing our morning downward-facing dog poses or indoor spin session?

The short answer is, no (well, not right away, at least). 

While there was no mention of the device being used for fitness purposes at the event, it’s not too far-fetched to see how it could be used for guided workouts in the future, particularly when paired with existing services such as Apple Fitness+.

Vision Pro marks the company’s first major new product line since the launch of Apple Watch in 2014 and will be available from later next year.

Everything you need to know about Apple’s new Vision Pro Headset

How much will Apple’s Vision Pro cost?

Apple has confirmed its Vision Pro device will start at USD 3,499 (approximately AUD 5,200 using today’s exchange rate). We can expect Australian pricing to be released in due course. 

When will Apple’s Vision Pro headset be released?

No official release date has been announced for Apple’s Vision Pro device, however, the company has slated availability from 2024.

Originally published as Apple announces a game-changer for mindfulness with its Vision Pro headset