Reporters are known for their skepticism, but even they couldn’t help but rave about Apple’s latest creation, the Vision Pro headset. This high-priced device combines virtual reality and augmented reality, projecting digital images onto the real world. During a meticulously orchestrated half-hour demonstration, Apple showcased the impressive technology packed into these goggles-like headsets, leaving attendees in awe. However, amidst the excitement, a sense of unease lingers, as this new gateway into digital isolation raises concerns about its impact on society.
Let’s start with the positive aspects. The Vision Pro is a highly sophisticated device that is surprisingly easy to set up and use. Initial setup involves using an iPhone to assess your eyes and ears automatically. If you wear prescription glasses, a bit of additional calibration may be needed, but Apple assures us that it won’t be complicated.
Once set up, putting on the Vision Pro is a breeze. Thanks to a side knob, users can easily ensure a comfortable fit. Unlike other headsets, the Vision Pro manages to avoid the awkward-looking design often associated with such devices. Though not exactly chic, the goggles resemble something you might see on a ski slope, a jet fighter, or in a race car.
Controlling the Vision Pro is astoundingly intuitive. Users simply press a button above the right goggle to summon a virtual screen displaying various apps, including familiar ones like photos, messaging, phone calls, video streaming, and web browsing. Opening an app is as simple as looking at it and pinching a thumb and finger together. Closing an app or moving it aside can be done with a finger pinch or by using two fingers to move it in the desired direction.
During Apple’s well-curated demonstration, the Vision Pro shone brightly. The headset appears to have great potential for business purposes, enhancing productivity, collaboration, and video conferencing, especially in the era of remote work. Unlike other virtual reality headsets that can cause disorienting effects, the Vision Pro immerses users in stunning visuals, offering 3-D displays of faraway places. It can transport users to videos of cherished memories, captured by one of the device’s 12 cameras. Additionally, watching a 3-D movie on the Vision Pro, such as the latest Avatar film, feels like sitting in an IMAX theater while relaxing on your own couch. The headset can even create surreal moments, with virtual objects seamlessly interacting with the real world.
The demonstration also provided tantalizing glimpses of how sporting events could be experienced through the goggles, leading to speculations about professional and collegiate sports leagues incorporating this technology into subscription services. The prospect of feeling like one is sitting in the front row is undeniably enticing.
To Apple’s credit, the Vision Pro is designed in a way that still allows users to see their surroundings if they wish to do so.
However, my mixed feelings about Apple’s first foray into mixed reality stem from the sheer brilliance of the Vision Pro. Apple seems to have achieved what other tech companies have struggled with for years—creating a compelling and less disorienting mixed-reality experience. Unfortunately, the headset’s high cost dampens the immediate potential for widespread adoption. Priced at $3,500 upon its U.S. release early next year, it is likely to remain a luxury item unaffordable for most households. Moreover, the Vision Pro won’t replace the need for regular smartphone upgrades, further limiting its accessibility.
In all likelihood, the Vision Pro serves as Apple’s testbed for mixed reality. It aims to encourage the development of apps specifically designed to harness the technology’s capabilities. This could pave the way for future products with similar functionality at lower price points. However, it also raises concerns about the potential for increased screen addiction and the negative impact on real-world human interactions, especially among children.
As Apple continues to push the boundaries of technology, the Vision Pro represents an impressive leap forward in virtual and augmented reality. It showcases the company’s dedication to innovation and its commitment to delivering high-quality experiences. Nevertheless, as society steps further into the realm of digital immersion, it is essential to tread carefully, striking a balance between technological advancements and preserving the richness of human connections in the real world.
