Imagine it’s your child’s birthday party, and the candles are lit. You quickly grab your iPhone 15 Pro to capture the moment. But wait! Could you record this in the future Vision Pro’s immersive video format?
Apple’s upcoming product, the Apple Vision Pro, won’t be available until early 2024. However, it’s already generating buzz in discussions about the latest Apple iPhone and Watch events. This high-end AR/VR headset by Apple promises to redefine the landscape of mixed media with advanced hardware, positioning itself as a full-fledged “space computer”. One of the most intriguing features is its ability to record and play back 3D video clips, which can later be experienced as immersive audio recordings. Interestingly, the latest iPhones will also have the capacity to record ground-level videos months before the launch of the Vision Pro.
I wasn’t sure if Apple would introduce a camera feature for their iPhones before the Vision Pro (I assumed it would come after the release of the headset). However, this presents a chicken-and-egg dilemma: if the future of 3D memories lies in a mid-range computer, is it necessary to familiarize users with capturing those memories beforehand?
What exactly is spatial video?
Apple refers to it as spatial video, but we’re essentially talking about immersive 3D video. Google previously experimented with its VR180 3D platform for YouTube, which was compatible with virtual reality devices and involved the development of stereoscopic cameras. Although Apple’s video platform remains a mystery, it is still unclear whether video streaming will be compatible with other platforms. However, it’s important to note that the Apple Vision Pro launch is still some time away.
Also read: Apple’s ‘Wonderlust’ Event Highlights iPhone 15, USB-C, and Apple Watch 9: All Announced
Do you need to enable a special mode to record these videos?
This remains uncertain, but it seems plausible. The additional setup required to capture ground-level videos appears to affect the capabilities specific to the iPhone 15 Pro that other phones lack. One concern that arises is whether users would need to choose the video’s format (regular or spatial) prior to recording. For example, when capturing a precious moment, should one opt for a standard video or a spatial video that can be viewed on a different device? And if spatial video is chosen, how easily can it be shared with others?
Check this out: What the iPhone 15’s Spatial Video Feature Means for Vision Pro
How large are the video files, and is there a recording limit?
These are two important questions. The recording duration can affect shooting options, while storage space may also be a factor. Limiting the length of the recording can help address this problem. We’ll soon find out more details.
How will ground-level memories coexist with Apple’s other Memories?
Here’s another thought: Apple is already in the business of preserving memories. Photos and the upcoming Journal app are examples of this. Apple’s Photos app even has a Memories section. Location videos provide a new form of immersive memories, but will they integrate with Memories when they appear in the Apple Photos app? Will there be automatic synchronization?
I recall the experience of viewing VR180 videos. They can be found on YouTube but require a VR headset for viewing. At least Google had its affordable cardboard VR viewer for phones. Will Apple offer a more cost-effective way to enjoy these videos compared to their $3,500 Vision Pro headset?
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Could this be the start of a new era for Apple cameras?
Apple tends to trickle down technology from its Pro models, so it’s possible that video recording from aerial perspectives will eventually become available on the iPhone line. This may require the inclusion of lidar sensors in another iPhone, or it may not be necessary at all (as Google found a way around it). The ground-level video recording feature with the iPhone 15 Pro appears to be a noteworthy addition despite not having a significant impact. However, it could be a preliminary test paving the way for more advanced features next year.
There are so many questions, and the answers are few and far between. We won’t learn much until Apple launches their video recording feature later this fall. Even then, we’ll have to wait until the Apple Vision Pro becomes available in 2024 to fully understand its capabilities.
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