Now that Apple Vision Pro pre-orders have gone live, we’re learning more about Apple’s expensive mixed reality headset – including the ways it will interact with other Apple devices like iPhones, iPads and Macs.
According to Vision Pro technical specifications (via MacRumors), the device supports Apple’s AirPlay standard for transmitting video and audio wirelessly. In other words, you can send whatever happens in the Vision Pro to the screen of an iPhone, iPad, Mac computer or Apple TV – anything that also supports AirPlay.
It’s something we’ve seen in other headsets like the Meta Quest 3, the ability to mirror the screen elsewhere, and it means that if you’re giving a presentation at a meeting or just playing with friends and family, everyone who you are with that allows you to see what you are looking at in mixed reality.
If you’re using a desktop Mac or a MacBook, the connection can apparently go the other way too – so you can have whatever’s on the macOS screen appear in the Vision Pro, and use your computer that way.
Get your hands on a Vision Pro
There is one piece of information we need to take into account, which is that mirrored video can only be displayed at 720p resolution (which has apparently been reduced from 1080p). They won’t be the sharpest photos you get.
Still, it’s useful to be able to share the contents of your headset with other people for all kinds of reasons. It might be something that Apple Store staff will benefit from demonstrating the device to potential buyers as well.
There were several months between when the Apple Vision Pro was announced and when pre-orders went live, and you won’t be able to walk into an Apple Store to purchase a Vision Pro until Friday, February 2.
Anyone outside the US will have to wait even longer: it’s possible to buy the headset internationally, but we wouldn’t recommend it. We haven’t heard yet when the device will go on sale in other regions, but we’ll keep you posted.