The Sandbox meets Apple VisionPro

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Sebastien Borget, the COO of The Sandbox, expressed enthusiasm about the Apple VisionPro Augmented Reality Headset at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC2023), dubbing it as a “groundbreaking” development in the field. This mixed reality (MR) device, which fuses virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), was announced by the tech behemoth to be released in 2024.

At the NFC Lisbon event, Borget shared with publication Decrypt his perspective on Apple’s new invention, considering it a defining piece of technology in the MR realm despite its steep cost of $3,499. Borget wasn’t deterred by the price tag; instead, he focused on the tech potential, suggesting that it carries an immense amount of promise regarding its technological prowess.

Interestingly, Apple refrained from mentioning the term ‘metaverse‘ during their announcement. This could potentially be a strategic move to avoid direct competition with Meta QuestPro, a headset introduced in the previous year by Meta, formerly Facebook. According to Borget, this isn’t an issue. He believes that Apple isn’t trying to compete in the metaverse, but rather developing technology to enable and popularize the concept.

About the Sandbox

The Sandbox is a virtual world where players can build, own, and monetize their gaming experiences in the Ethereum blockchain. It is a gaming platform consists of three integrated products that together provide a comprehensive experience for user-generated content (UGC) production. The combined products further benefit users by allowing them to secure copyright ownership for their user-created content through blockchain and smart contracts.

We have previously written about this project and the SAND token and we have a comprehensive guide about where it can be bought.

The Sandbox received $93 million in investment from investors led by Japanese mobile giant SoftBank in November 2021. Over 50 agreements were also formed for the game, including Atari, a well-known gaming firm, CryptoKitties, The Walking Dead, and hip-hop sensation Snoop Dogg.

Borget’s excitement about the launch of Apple’s VisionPro

Even though the Apple VisionPro’s environment and visual representation differ significantly from what has been produced in the crypto metaverse, Borget conveyed to Decrypt his excitement about the launch. He commented that this is an unprecedented MR device, one that could incite more users to dive into immersive experiences. He anticipates the VisionPro will trigger a fresh wave of exploration and possibly revolutionize the entertainment format.

The device’s considerable price hasn’t dampened Borget’s enthusiasm. His informal survey at the conference revealed that about one-third of the attendees showed interest in purchasing the device and giving it a try. He regards these individuals as “early adopters”.

A Word on Terminology

Apple seems to have made a conscious decision to refer to its invention as the first “spatial computer.” Early in 2024, it will be made available in the United States for a hefty $3,499 retail price, and soon after, it will spread to other nations.

The announcement marks a clear break from Microsoft’s and Meta’s headset introductions, which both noticeably overused the term in contrast. In contrast to terms like “metaverse,” “AR,” and “VR,” Apple’s marketing focuses on the phrases “spatial” and “spatial computing.”

According to Mike Rockwell, vice president of Apple’s technology development group, “creating our first spatial computer required invention across nearly every facet of the system.” He added:

We designed a standalone spatial computer in a compact wearable form factor that is the most advanced personal electronics device ever. Through a tight integration of hardware and software.

Back in January 2022, Mark Gurman, an Apple tech reporter for Bloomberg, tweeted that the company has no plans to approach the market similarly to Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, particularly with regard to the idea of the metaverse.

“I’ve been told pretty directly that the idea of a completely virtual world where users can escape to — like the can in Meta Platforms/Facebook’s vision of the future — is off-limits from Apple,” Gurman said, adding that the company will focus on producing a mixed-reality headset intended for use in brief bursts for communication, work, gaming, and other activities.

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