In June 2023, Apple made a splash with the announcement of the $3,499.99 Apple Vision Pro Augmented Reality Headset. For details on what this device offers users and its supporting technologies, read our previous report: Apple Unveils Vision Pro Augmented Reality Headset at WWDC23
At the time of its announcement, Apple hinted that it was partnering with Disney to provide entertainment content.
As a result of that partnership, beginning February 2, 2024, Apple will be offering Disney+ subscribers who own a Vision Pro a new way to stream entertainment at no additional cost. Apple claims it will be feel like watching a movie on a 100 foot wide screen through Vision Pro.
Combine that with 3D effects and it could feel like you’re in the middle of the action.
From Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company: “At Disney, we’re constantly searching for new ways to entertain, inform, and inspire by combining exceptional creativity with groundbreaking technology to create truly remarkable experiences,…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.”
What To Expect
At launch, viewers can access one of four Disney+ environments. Each environment includes animations and sounds that make the space feel alive, and Easter eggs from films and franchises that will surprise and delight fans. We think that remains to be seen.
Available only on Apple Vision Pro, Disney+ subscribers will be able to stream the entire catalog – including thousands of TV shows and films, plus access to Hulu content for eligible Disney Bundle subscribers – from iconic environments with vivid details, including:
- Disney+ Theater: This is inspired by the historic El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood
- Scare Floor: This is from Pixar’s Monsters Inc.
- Marvel’s Avengers Tower: Overlooking Downtown Manhattan
- The Cockpit of Luke Skywalker’s Land Speeder: Facing a binary sunset on the planet Tatooine from the Star Wars galaxy.
3D Movies
As part of being able to watch Disney+ content, users will also be able to watch select Disney+ movies in 3D. This enhances both the immersive and storytelling experience on a screen that looks 100-inches wide with spatial audio.
Some of the movies users will be able to experience in 3D include Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water, Avengers: Endgame, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Elemental, and Encanto.
Additional Disney+ 3D titles will be announced at a later date.
Apple Vision Pro users can also rent or purchase most 3D movies through the Store tab in the Apple TV app. Users who previously purchased Disney movies that include 3D versions from the Apple TV app will be able to access those 3D versions on Apple Vision Pro at no additional cost.
Additional 3D titles will also be available from Apple TV+ and Max. However, Netflix compatiblity will strangely be limited at launch. There won’t be a dedicated Netflix App on Vision Pro, meaning that accessing Netflix will be harder but not impossible. Instead of simply clicking an app, users will be able to access Netflix content from the Netflix website through the Safari web browser on Vision Pro.
That seems rather inconvenient — and intentional on the part of Apple.
Why would Apple launch its groundbreaking (and rather niche) augmented reality headset without a dedicated app for the most popular movie/television streaming platform on the planet?
Or was this a decision by Netflix to wait and see if the Vision Pro takes off?
We also wonder if Netflix is working with one of the other AR/VR headset manufacturers and don’t want to commit to Apple just yet.
At launch Apple says users will be able to access more than 150 3D movies from Apple TV+, Disney+ and Max.
Tech Notes
Disney+ on Apple Vision Pro is the result of a collaboration between Disney Studio Technology, Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology, ILM Immersive, and Skywalker Sound.
Disney+ environments for the Apple Vision Pro were developed using the Universal Scene Description (USD) format, which was originally developed by Pixar and open-sourced in 2016.
Tip: The Alliance for OpenUSD – a group formed by Pixar and Apple, among others – is working to standardize the USD format across the industry.
Using Dolby Vision and Multiview High-Efficiency Video Coding (MV-HEVC) 3D movies on Disney+ will deliver exceptional UHD resolution in HDR, unfiltered and independent for each eye, and at a high frame rate for several titles – ensuring that the filmmakers’ creative intent is fully preserved and reflected.
For more information on Disney+ on Apple Vision Pro, visit disneyplus.com/applevisionpro.
Related Reading
ORT
January 23, 2024 at 10:01 pm
Well, well, well…I think I just heard a sigh of relief coming from Dyson. Their air purifying headphones have finally been surpassed in the heated battle for most ridiculously needless device with which to listen to music and/or view a film.
And the wiener is…Jizney and fApple…errrrr…Disney and Apple for the fApple Vision Pro!
Just when you thought wearing 3D spectacles made you look stoopid, these two GIANTs of Sinsitivity and Divershitty do a “BlunderTwiin Powers ACTIVATE!” and create what only the purest of JustUS Worriers could do. Take a LOT of your money from you and present you with something George Jetson would wear to view pron in the year 2062.
The Involuntarily Sellibate can now take matters into their own hands…ummmm…home…room…whatever.
Bose is finally released from pushing that boulder up the hill every day and watching it roll back down once they reach the summit.
WTF were these two woke companies feeeeeeeeeeling?! The answer:
Greedy.
I would say more but I think I’ve pretty much said what needs saying. The writing is on the (gender fluid) stall.
ORT