Unveiled on June 5, 2023, at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2023, Apple Vision Pro has ignited a spark of excitement that resonates far beyond the realms of conventional innovation with pre-orders beginning on 19th January! Now, here’s the jaw-dropper: some reports suggest that this mixed reality headset has already sold out its initial batch — a mind-boggling 80,000 units gone, within a mere 30 minutes! Rumor has it, that’s over $300,000,000 in revenue for a Spatial Computing (VR) device and accessories in ONE SINGLE DAY.
So, whether you’re an early adopter eagerly awaiting to collect your $3499 headset on February 2nd or you’re just curious what the buzz is all about, fasten your seatbelts. It’s time to navigate the terrain of the good, the bad, and the downright incredible (or terrible) aspects of Apple Vision Pro!
The Good: A Glimpse into Extraordinary Features
“But of all the VR, AR and MR headsets I’ve tried on in my career, the Apple Vision Pro is far and away the best, and easily the most thought-out.”, Cherlynn Low, Engadget.
1. Vision OS: Apple’s OS has always one of its most captivating features. Revolutionizing the way we experience reality, Apple has introduced visionOS for the Vision Pro headset. From hands-free controls to mind-blowing immersive features, it promises a paradigm shift. Dive into productivity, enjoy 3D movies, and witness a new era in computing.
2.Display Quality: The Vision Pro’s micro-OLED display emerges as a focal point, delivering a high-resolution and visually rich experience. The technology is notably praised for its capacity to make movies look stunning, elevating the headset to a potential personal cinema.
3.Impressive Hand Tracking: Apple’s Vision Pro introduces a refined interaction experience with precise eye tracking and small-gesture hand tracking. Its dual function, effortlessly changing virtual environments and adjusting volume with a glance, showcases its intuitive design, making hand tracking feel like “mind reading”.
“Apple’s blend of eye tracking and small-gesture hand tracking feels far more refined than headsets like the Meta Quest 2 and 3 use or the Hololens 2.”, Scott Stein, Editor, CNET.
4.Immersive Entertainment: The Vision Pro promises to revolutionize entertainment with 150+ 3D movies, immersive series, and a Travel Mode for plane use. It is being recognized for its capability to provide an immersive cinematic experience. The appeal of an enhanced movie-watching experience is duly acknowledged.
5.Multitasking Innovation: A standout feature includes the Vision Pro’s ability to simultaneously open multiple apps, coupled with the potential for immersive 3D elements. The navigation system, involving glancing and finger interaction, is acknowledged for its uniqueness in VR and AR.
6.EyeSight Technology: The introduction of EyeSight technology is recognized for its uncanny presentation, providing virtual eyes for interpersonal connections. While the realism is considered to fall somewhere between animatronics and reality, the feature adds an intriguing social dimension to the device.
“Another interesting feature of the Vision Pro is its EyeSight display, which basically captures what your peepers look like (real-time eye movements and all) and projects them onto the front of the device so it’s a little less jarring for someone to have a conversation with you when you’re wearing the headset.’, Tyler Chin, Editor, GQ Magazine.
The Challenges: Navigating the Downsides
- Too Expensive: The Apple Vision Pro, priced at a staggering $4,547 for the top configuration, faces criticism for its exorbitant cost. Additional expenses for lenses, AppleCare+, and accessories contribute to a total that many find prohibitive, raising concerns about the device’s market appeal despite initial demand.
“Is $3,500 compelling, however? After an hour of testing, I’m not fully convinced. For one thing, that price is prohibitively expensive for a majority of people who would be interested in the system. For another, it feels like we’re very much in the primordial stages of the content story. They’re still neat in this setting, but it’s harder to make the case that they’re revolutionary.”, Brian Heater, Hardware Editor at TechCrunch.
2. Comfort Challenges: Apple Vision Pro faces early backlash from testers citing discomfort, weight issues, and headaches during usage. The process of adjusting the headset for an optimal fit is noted to require attention, with specific mention of challenges associated with the ribbed Solo Knit band and its impact on balance.
“I love everything about the Apple Vision Pro — except wearing it”, Giovanni Colantonio, Digital Trends Media Group.
3. Streaming Constraints : Despite the wealth of content and platforms set for Apple’s Vision Pro launch, major players like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify have decided against creating dedicated apps for the spatial computer. Users may face limitations such as no offline downloads and restricted video quality settings.
4. Limited Field of View: A limitation in the field of view is acknowledged, aligning with the characteristics of other VR headsets. While the passthrough view is described as good, it falls short of achieving crystal clear eyesight-level quality.
5. Keyboard Inconvenience: The floating pop-up keyboard is deemed less than ideal, with Siri suggested as a faster alternative for input. The complexities associated with achieving true virtual typing in VR/AR are acknowledged.
6. Bulky Battery : Apple’s Vision Pro attempts to downplay an inconvenient aspect — the noticeable bulk of its iPhone-sized battery pack. Demonstrations strategically obscure this, raising concerns about its usability. The headset’s limited 2-hour battery life and the need for frequent wall charging add to skepticism.
“The obfuscation of the Vision Pro battery pack only makes its existence that much more notable, raising two questions in particular: How does Apple envision people using this thing? And is having an external battery pack a serious hindrance to that usability?”, Lauren Goode, Senior writer, WIRED.
As the Apple Vision Pro sets the tech world abuzz with its staggering sales figures and impressive features, it’s essential to navigate the landscape of its strengths and weaknesses. With groundbreaking technology like the VisionOS, impeccable display quality, and immersive entertainment features, Apple aims to redefine our digital experiences.
However, criticisms about the exorbitant price, comfort issues, and streaming constraints raise valid concerns. The device’s success will hinge on addressing these drawbacks and ensuring its transformative capabilities outweigh the negatives. Whether it’s the dawn of a new era or a cautionary tale, the Apple Vision Pro is undeniably a bold leap into uncharted territory!
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Edited by Rufah Kaka.
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