Apple preps immersive originals for mixed reality headset Vision Pro

Prehistoric Planet (Source: Apple TV+)

Apple TV+ has unveiled a selection of new immersive originals, and existing programming to stream via the Apple TV app on its soon-to-launch Apple Vision Pro mixed reality headset, with Disney+ also making movie content available for 3D viewing on the device.

The Apple shows have been produced with Apple Immersion Video, which will offer 180-degree 3D 8K recordings to viewers who purchase the headset after its US launch on 2 February.

Immersive titles include Alicia Keys: Rehearsal Room, a short film that that offers viewers a rare glimpse into the Grammy winner’s creative process.

Prehistoric Planet Immersive, meanwhile, is a short film inspired by the Apple original docuseries from Jon Favreau, which takes viewers into the daily lives of dinosaurs, experiencing T-Rex teens crashing a quiet colony of pterosaurs on the beach and an intense battle between raptors and a pride of Triceratops in the forest.

Favreau has also executive produced Encounter Dinosaurs, a free app that allows users to look back into a prehistoric time and interact with lifelike, 3D dinosaurs.

“Ever since Apple introduced me to this new technology, I’ve been intrigued with the opportunity to explore storytelling using these innovative immersive tools,” said Favreau.

Meanwhile, Adventure is a new series taking users to the most remote places on earth to stand beside extreme athletes as they take on awe-inspiring challenges. Hailing from Atlantic Productions, the first episode in the series will offer an escape into thin air with highliner Faith Dickey as she takes on her highest challenge yet: a daring traverse 3,000 feet above Norway’s breathtaking fjords.

Wild Life will allow headset users to get up close and personal with some of the most charismatic creatures on the planet – and uncover what makes them unique with the experts who know them best. The first episode brings viewers into the world’s largest rhino sanctuary where a former police captain has dedicated her life to rescuing, raising and rewilding the animals.

Non-immersive Apple originals, such as Silo, Hijack, Monarch: Legacy Of Monsters and Ted Lasso, will also be available to stream on the headset via the app.

Encanto (Source: Disney+)

Disney+ films & environments

Subscribers to Disney+ will also be able to use the Apple headset to watch movie content in 3D, including titles such as Avatar: The Way Of Water, Avengers: Endgame, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Elemental and Encanto.

The Mouse House is also launching four “Disney+ environments” that use the mixed reality headset to place themselves within interactive settings including the Disney+ Theater, inspired by the historic El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood; the Scare Floor from Pixar’s Monsters Inc.; Marvel’s Avengers Tower overlooking downtown Manhattan; and the cockpit of Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder on the planet Tatooine in the Star Wars galaxy.

“Apple Vision Pro is a revolutionary platform that will bring our fans closer to the characters and stories they love while immersing them more deeply in all that Disney has to offer. We’re proud to once again be partnering with Apple to bring extraordinary new Disney experiences to people around the world,” said Disney CEO Bob Iger.