The NBA’s 3D Tabletop Mode for Apple Vision Pro: A Glimpse Into the Future of Mixed Reality
The NBA is giving us a sneak peek into how mixed reality could transform not just sports but concerts, museums, education, and more. With its new feature for Apple Vision Pro, the NBA app now includes a 3D, diorama-like tabletop mode that brings games to life like never before.
This update introduces a miniature, real-time 3D court alongside the usual 2D livestream, creating a more immersive viewing experience. The main broadcast remains unchanged, but this added perspective lets fans feel closer to the action. Powered by motion capture tech from NBA arenas, the feature does have a slight delay of about half a second compared to the live feed, as reported by Upload.
Currently, the tabletop view is available for select games each night, but the NBA plans to include it with all League Pass games next season. Like other premium features, it requires an NBA League Pass subscription, starting at $15 per month.
Expanding the Potential of Mixed Reality
Even for someone who isn’t a die-hard sports fan, this tabletop mode is seriously impressive. It adds a layer of interaction and engagement that could even appeal to those who don’t typically watch full games.
The NBA’s innovation could inspire other sports to adopt similar technology. Imagine a 3D rink for hockey, showing real-time player positions, shot trajectories, or puck movement heatmaps. Baseball could visualize pitch trajectories, defensive strategies, and exit velocities in a way that brings analytics to life. MLB, for example, is already exploring ways to make data more engaging, and a full 3D view could inject excitement into the game.
For the Olympics, mixed reality could transform how we view events. Gymnastics and diving could feature slow-motion 3D replays, while swimming could offer underwater perspectives of the athletes in action.
Beyond Sports: New Frontiers for Mixed Reality
Mixed reality has the potential to go far beyond just sports. Imagine concerts where you can view a 3D stage, following the band’s movements in real time and experiencing the performance from any angle. Artists like Coldplay and Billie Eilish have already played with immersive visuals and AR during their live shows. Now, fans could place a miniature stage in their space with Apple Vision Pro and feel like they’re at the venue.
Platforms like Wave have already hosted virtual concerts with real-time avatars of performers, so this idea isn’t far off.
In museums, mixed reality could recreate ancient cities, battles, or artifacts in stunning detail. For instance, the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East debuted an AR app that brings Assyrian palace reliefs to life with accurate colors and sounds.
The film industry is also tapping into this technology. Apple TV+ released Submerged in 2024, a mixed-reality experience that puts viewers inside a submarine surrounded by the deep sea and the looming tension of enemy vessels.
And it doesn’t stop there—Apple Vision Pro is already proving useful in fields like surgery.
The Future of Mixed Reality
This all feels like something out of those futuristic tech concept videos from a decade ago, except now it’s becoming real. For Apple Vision Pro to truly go mainstream, though, it needs to become smaller and more affordable.
Right now, no one’s wearing a bulky headset to a concert. But imagine if, someday, this technology fits into lightweight eyeglasses. That’s when a second digital layer of reality could genuinely become part of our daily lives.
What we’re seeing now with NBA’s tabletop mode and mixed reality technology is just the beginning. The future feels closer than ever.
