Today, or better tonight, Pico teased its fresh operating system and its upcoming headset, codenamed Project Swan. All the info shared suggests a headset in the same category as the Apple Vision Pro. Let’s dive into what we know.
Pico OS 6: A New Foundation for XR
Pico spent the last two years building Pico OS 6, its next-generation operating system for XR headsets. The OS is built on three core principles: efficiency, intuition, and openness. This translates to a system designed for multitasking, seamless interaction, and broad compatibility.
Efficiency: Spatial Computing for Productivity
Pico aims to create an iOS-like experience where multitasking is effortless, allowing users to work with both 2D and 3D applications simultaneously within the same space. This is powered by the Pico Spatial Engine, which offloads rendering tasks from individual apps to the OS, enabling smoother performance and resource management. Imagine working on a spreadsheet even as a 3D game runs alongside it – that’s the vision.
Intuition: Multiple Interaction Modes
Pico OS 6 prioritizes intuitive interaction, supporting multiple input methods: gaze and pinch, controllers, full body tracking via Pico Trackers, and even mouse and keyboard for productivity tasks. This flexibility mirrors Apple’s approach with Vision Pro, leveraging existing input methods while introducing new possibilities.
The OS also introduces a new design language, Cloud Crystal, designed to integrate UI elements seamlessly with the real-world environment. This aesthetic is strikingly similar to that of the Apple Vision Pro.
Openness: A Versatile Platform
Pico OS 6 is designed to support a wide range of applications, including spatial apps, Android apps, and web apps. It’s also compatible with various technologies like WebXR, PCVR (likely via streaming), and OpenXR. Existing apps built for previous Pico headsets will continue to function on Project Swan.
Developers have access to several tools: Game Engines (Unity and Unreal Engine), Pico Spatial UI + SDK, WebSpatial, and existing Android app compatibility. Pico Spatial UI allows developers to create spatial apps using familiar tools like Kotlin, while WebSpatial offers a cross-platform, open-source solution for building spatial web experiences.
Project Swan: A Vision Pro Competitor?
Pico’s upcoming flagship device, Project Swan, is the hardware designed to showcase Pico OS 6. While details remain limited, Pico has highlighted three key features.
Clarity: High-Resolution Visuals
Pico is prioritizing visual clarity, aiming for an average of 40 PPD (pixels per degree) with peaks of 45 PPD. This is a significant improvement over previous-generation headsets and is intended to deliver crisp, readable text for productivity applications. The headset features dual 4K displays.
Mixed Reality: Custom Silicon for Low Latency
Project Swan utilizes custom-built chips to deliver a high-quality mixed reality experience with low latency. The system achieves a latency of under 12ms, crucial for a seamless and immersive experience. A dual-chip design, similar to the Apple Vision Pro, is employed: one chip handles application processing, while the other manages tracking and spatial understanding.
Powerful Processing: A New SoC
The “Flagship SoC” chip powering Project Swan boasts double the CPU and GPU capabilities of the current Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2. This suggests a new, unannounced flagship chipset from Qualcomm is being utilized.
General Impressions: A Familiar Approach
Pico’s approach with Project Swan and OS 6 is undeniably inspired by Apple’s Vision Pro. From the UI design to the dual-chip architecture, many elements echo Apple’s innovations. While not particularly original, Pico has a track record of delivering solid devices, suggesting Project Swan could be a compelling Android alternative to the Vision Pro. Its expertise in the B2B market positions it well for enterprise applications, particularly in design and prototyping.
The price point remains a key unknown. It will be crucial to see how Project Swan compares to competitors like Apple Vision Pro, Play For Dream, Galaxy XR, and Vivo Vision in terms of cost.
The consumer impact is less certain. Like the Vision Pro, Project Swan is likely to be expensive, limiting its mass-market appeal. However, it could attract prosumers and enthusiasts seeking a powerful spatial computing experience.
More details are expected at GDC later this month.
Disclaimer: this blog contains advertisement and affiliate links to sustain itself. If you click on an affiliate link, I’ll be very happy because I’ll earn a small commission on your purchase. You can find my boring full disclosure here.
