The NBA's Vision Pro app turns certain games into a miniature 3D diorama.
For the moment, only in some live matches.
The NBA has launched a new augmented reality feature in its Vision Pro app called Tabletop, which allows users to view a floating representation of a basketball court in their space during certain live games. This feature, according to available information, enables digital avatars to mirror the movement, passing, and shooting of real players on the court, but only during events that can be watched or heard through NBA League Pass.
Moreover, the feature is functional even for games in local markets that typically do not have video availability in the app. In a test conducted, it was observed that the synchronization between the narrator's audio and the image had a delay of about 45 seconds, although a Vision Pro owner, Justin Ryan, noted that he was able to reduce the lag to half a second by adjusting a sync option with the live broadcast. It is important to mention that during the trial, access to out-of-market games was not available, limiting the comparison solely to audio.
Each player is represented by a similar avatar, which may look like a robot or have a cartoon style, although they can be distinguished by the color of their jerseys and the identification with their name and number. Additionally, when a player has the ball, their name appears above their head. When inquiring about the availability of this feature for All-Star weekend events, the NBA did not provide an immediate response.
This new feature has similarities to what was presented by the Lapz Vision Pro app for Formula 1 racing before it was discontinued. For those who have a subscription to NBA League Pass and a Vision Pro device, a new Tabletop button will be found alongside the usual "Watch Live" and "Multiview" options within the NBA app.
The functionality of Tabletop was surprisingly refined, considering it is an alpha phase feature. Previously, the NBA has showcased mixed reality technologies, as Commissioner Adam Silver did by using a 3D scan of commentator Ahmad Rashad to replace a player in a game clip.