Daybreaks that are incredibly impressive. And impressively immersive.

View my past AR experience

About the app

Research shows that viewing a sunrise in the morning can significantly boost people’s moods, offer a moment of calm, and optimize the circadian rhythm for improved sleep. But when people travel on planes, or reside in locations with large seasonal fluctuations in solar visibility, they can’t always get the sunlight they need. Meet Dawn, an app that brings the sights and sounds of our world's most captivating daybreaks to the world’s most advanced spatial computer.

Why I’ve applied for hardware access

The simulator lacks several capabilities fundamental to creating the level of immersion I envision for my app, and a developer kit is necessary. Access to hardware will enable the creation of engaging, delightful experiences that minimize visual-vestibular discomfort risks.

I am experimenting with various video delivery techniques, including standard HLS streaming for 2D content and the new MV-HEVC format for stereoscopic video. On-device previewing will help me choose video attributes (like frame rate) for superior user comfort.

Rendering HDR sunrises requires wide-ranging luminance values, so prototyping on-device is integral to creating glowing visuals that don’t induce eye strain. My current displays are inadequate for this task, and device access is crucial to creating the magical launch day experience I envision for my Apple Vision Pro users.

My Experience With AR

I have been working with ARKit for a while. And by that, I mean since version 1, beta 1. I have long been a believer in the power of augmented reality. Here is Perspective, my first AR app from 2017 that enabled users to explore historical images of the places they live, learn, and work. At its most powerful, AR helps us engage with stories from our collective past, making history tangible and deeply personal. With Perspective, I harnessed the power of AR to create a bridge across eras, sparking a connection to the narratives that formed our current moment.

As I move forward with development of apps with Apple Vision Pro, I hope to continue to create experiences that not only educate but also foster introspection and joy.

©2023 DK. Designs are in development and may change.