Decathlon has introduced in the US a new, “immersive” shopping app for the Vision Pro, Apple’s virtual-reality (VR) headset. Both the app and the headset hit the US market on Feb. 2.
The app, says Decathlon, is designed to “enable customers discover the company’s latest outdoor and cycling product innovations and shop for their favorite sporting goods.” According to Apple, the Vision Pro is designed to “blend digital content with your digital space” – that is, layer icons, desktop displays, images and such over your visual field. But the visual field appears to be a projection. From what we can tell, the glass front is not transparent, as it would be on ski goggles. Instead, a feature called EyeSight “reveals your eyes and lets those nearby know when you’re using apps or fully immersed in an experience. When someone approaches, Apple Vision Pro simultaneously lets you see the person and reveals your eyes to them.”
See products in 3D
As for the app, Decathlon’s simulator screenshots suggest a two-part design, consisting of a flattish display, like the product page of an e-commerce website, and a pop-out three-dimensional rendering of the product. “Customers can step inside our tents or check out our new bikes in 3D from the comfort of their own home,” says Barbara Martin Coppola, Decathlon’s CEO.
Whereas the app is no doubt available free of charge, Apple’s headset will set you back $3,499 in one go or $291.58 per month for 12 months.
See also the report last year in our sister publication Eyewear Intelligence on the headsets of Apple and others.
