Apple's highly anticipated Vision Pro mixed reality headset will finally be available for purchase in the United States starting on February 2nd, with pre-orders beginning on January 19th, according to an announcement made by the company on Monday. The Vision Pro headset, which has been described as Apple's riskiest and most ambitious hardware offering in years, comes with a hefty price tag starting at $3,500. However, Apple believes that its revolutionary and magical user interface will redefine how users connect, create, and explore.

Apple CEO Tim Cook, who unveiled the VR device last June at the Worldwide Developer's Conference, expressed his excitement about the Vision Pro's release. He stated, "Apple Vision Pro is the most advanced consumer electronics device ever created. Its revolutionary and magical user interface will redefine how we connect, create, and explore." This launch marks Cook's first major hardware product release in seven years and only the third during his tenure as CEO.

The Vision Pro headset, resembling a pair of ski goggles, utilizes cutting-edge technology that allows users to overlay virtual images on live videos of the real world. Unlike other headsets on the market, Apple's mixed-reality device will display the user's eyes on the outside, as demonstrated during the conference last June. The device also features its own operating system called visionOS, along with a unique three-dimensional user interface and input system that can be controlled by a user's eyes, hands, and voice.

One of the standout features of the Vision Pro is its “visionOS” operating system, which enables wearers to interact with apps simply by looking at them through the headset's lenses. This eliminates the need to tap on icons on a screen to engage with an app. Additionally, a flick of the wrist can cue the device to scroll, providing users with a seamless and intuitive experience.

The headset comes with 256 GB of storage, and Apple has announced that prescription lens inserts will be available for the device, starting at $149 for those who require them. Reading lens inserts are also an option, starting at $99. With its advanced features and capabilities, Apple hopes that the Vision Pro will be a game-changer in the world of mixed reality technology.

However, Apple's entry into the mixed reality market is not without its challenges. The company faces competition from other tech companies that have struggled to gain mainstream traction for their augmented reality hardware devices. Additionally, the high price tag of the Vision Pro has raised eyebrows since its initial announcement. Nevertheless, Apple's stock saw a 1.5% increase in early trading on Monday following the announcement of the headset's release date.

As the tech sector's annual CES convention begins in Las Vegas this week, Apple's announcement has generated excitement and anticipation among consumers and industry professionals alike. With its innovative technology and promise of a new way to experience reality, the Vision Pro headset has the potential to reshape the future of consumer electronics.