Vision Pro asks whether the next computer belongs on your face

Apple has announced Vision Pro, a headset that mixes digital content with a view of the surrounding environment. The company is presenting it as a spatial computer, with an interface controlled through eyes, hands and voice rather than a conventional desktop pointer.

The product combines Apple's M2 chip with a separate R1 chip for processing sensor input. Applications can occupy different positions in a user's space, while entertainment is another prominent part of the demonstration. Apple says availability will begin in the United States early next year, starting at $3,499.

The unresolved questions are everyday ones: comfort, useful applications and how often someone will prefer a headset to a screen. A new interface needs more than a compelling demonstration. Developers now have the task of finding work and experiences that justify wearing it.