When will the Apple Vision Pro headset go on sale?

New York (CNN) – This Monday, Apple announced that its Vision Pro mixed reality headset will go on sale in the US starting February 2nd, with pre-orders starting on January 19th.

The Vision Pro headset, Apple’s most adventurous and ambitious new hardware offering in years, is also one of its most expensive products. Its original price is $3,500. On Monday, the company said the device will have 256GB of internal storage and that prescription glasses will start at $149 and reading glasses will start at $99.

In a statement announcing the Vision Pro’s release date, CEO Tim Cook didn’t mince words: “Apple Vision Pro is the most advanced consumer electronics device ever created,” Cook said. “Its revolutionary and magical user interface will change the way we communicate, create and explore.”

The Vision Pro release was the first major hardware product Cook has released at Apple in seven years, and only the third during his tenure as CEO.

The device looks like ski goggles, and the technology behind it allows users to overlay virtual images onto live, real-world video. Unlike other viewing devices on the market, Apple’s mixed reality device will show users’ eyes from the outside, as the company demonstrated in June last year.

Vision Pro will have its own operating system called VisionOS, as well as a new 3D user interface and input system controlled by the user’s eyes, hands and voice.

The product is expected to face a number of challenges as Apple enters an untested market littered with other technology companies that have tried but largely failed to find widespread adoption for their hardware devices. Additionally, its high price caused a stir after it was unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

Apple shares rose 1.5% in early trading Monday after announcing the Vision Pro release date. Apple’s announcement also came as part of CES, the annual technology industry conference, taking place in Las Vegas this week.