Apple Vision Pro is Apple’s first augmented reality (AR) headset, which was announced at the WWDC 2023 conference and released on February 2, 2024. Apple Vision Pro is a compact device that transforms how you use your apps, enjoy entertainment, and connect with others in a spatial way. It features a custom micro-OLED display, a dual-chip design, Spatial Audio, and a 3D camera with immersive Spatial Audio and Spatial Video. It also runs on visionOS, Apple’s first spatial operating system, which enables powerful spatial experiences with eye, hand, and voice interactions.
Apple Vision Pro is a truly amazing product that delivers futuristic eye- and hand-tracking interface along with breathtaking 3D video and truly impressive AR apps. It’s also a magical way to extend your Mac. However, like any other product, Apple Vision Pro also has its drawbacks and limitations, which may affect the user experience and satisfaction. In this blog post, we will explore the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of Apple Vision Pro, and what are the implications and expectations for the future of AR.
The Good
Apple Vision Pro has many good aspects, such as
- The design: Apple Vision Pro is the result of decades of experience designing high-performance, mobile, and wearable devices, culminating in the most ambitious product Apple has ever created. Apple Vision Pro integrates incredibly advanced technology into an elegant, compact form, resulting in an amazing experience every time you put it on. A singular piece of three-dimensionally formed laminated glass acts as an optical surface for the cameras and sensors that view the world. It flows seamlessly into a custom aluminum alloy frame that gently curves to wrap around your face while serving as an attachment point for the Light Seal.
- The display: Apple Vision Pro features a custom micro-OLED display, which provides a stunning visual quality and a wide field of view. The display has a resolution of 8K for each eye, which means that it has more pixels than a 4K TV for each eye. The display also has a refresh rate of 120Hz, which means that it can render smooth and realistic motion. The display also supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, which means that it can display a wide range of colors and contrast.
- The audio: Apple Vision Pro features Spatial Audio, which creates a realistic and immersive sound experience. Spatial Audio uses advanced algorithms and beamforming microphones to track the position and orientation of your head and the sound sources, and to adjust the sound accordingly. Spatial Audio also uses dynamic head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) and binaural rendering to create a 3D sound field that matches the visual scene. Spatial Audio also supports Dolby Atmos, which means that it can deliver a cinematic sound quality.
- The camera: Apple Vision Pro features a 3D camera, which enables the capture and playback of spatial photos and spatial videos in 3D. Spatial photos and spatial videos are 3D representations of the real world, which can be viewed from any angle and perspective, and which can be enhanced with immersive Spatial Audio. Spatial photos and spatial videos can also be shared and viewed with other Apple Vision Pro users, or with iPhone 15 Pro users, which also supports spatial video capture.
- The apps: Apple Vision Pro features a variety of apps that take advantage of the spatial computing capabilities of the device. These apps include Safari, Notes, Messages, Photos, Videos, Music, Podcasts, Books, Maps, Calendar, Contacts, Reminders, Mail, FaceTime, News, Stocks, Weather, Calculator, Clock, and more. These apps can be arranged and scaled anywhere in the space, and can be interacted with using eye, hand, and voice gestures. These apps can also be used in conjunction with the Mac, which can be extended to the Apple Vision Pro as a virtual display.
The Bad
Apple Vision Pro also has some bad aspects, such as
- The price: Apple Vision Pro is a very expensive product, which costs $3499 for the 256GB model, $3699 for the 512GB model, and $3899 for the 1TB model. This price does not include the optional ZEISS Optical Inserts, which cost $99 for the readers and $149 for the prescription. The price also does not include the AppleCare+ coverage, which costs $499 for two years of unlimited repairs for accidental damage protection. The price also does not include the taxes and fees, which may vary depending on the location and the carrier.
- The battery: Apple Vision Pro has a limited battery life, which lasts for about 4 hours of continuous use, or 8 hours of intermittent use. The battery can be recharged using the included 30W USB-C Power Adapter and USB-C Charge Cable, which takes about 2 hours to fully charge. The battery can also be extended using the optional Battery, which costs $199 and provides an additional 4 hours of battery life. The Battery can be attached to the back of the head band, and can be recharged using the same adapter and cable as the Apple Vision Pro.
- The compatibility: Apple Vision Pro is compatible only with certain Apple devices and services, which may limit the user’s choices and options. Apple Vision Pro requires an iPhone 12 or later, or a Mac with an M1 chip or later, to set up and use. Apple Vision Pro also requires an iCloud account and an Apple ID to access and sync the data and services. Apple Vision Pro also requires a 5G or Wi-Fi connection to access the internet and the cloud services.
- The availability: Apple Vision Pro is available only in certain countries and regions, which may exclude some potential users and markets. Apple Vision Pro is currently available in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Japan, China, and India. Apple Vision Pro is also subject to local laws and regulations, which may affect the functionality and availability of some features and services. Apple Vision Pro is also subject to international roaming charges and restrictions, which may affect the user’s experience and cost when traveling abroad.
The Ugly
Apple Vision Pro also has some ugly aspects, such as:
- The privacy: Apple Vision Pro raises some privacy concerns, as it collects and processes a lot of personal and sensitive data from the user and the environment. Apple Vision Pro uses the 3D camera and the sensors to capture and analyze the user’s face, eyes, hands, voice, and location, as well as the surrounding objects, people, and sounds. Apple Vision Pro also uses the iCloud and the Apple ID to store and sync the user’s data and services, such as the photos, videos, contacts, messages, and preferences. Apple Vision Pro also uses the 5G or Wi-Fi connection to access and share the user’s data and services, such as the internet, the cloud, and the FaceTime.
- The security: Apple Vision Pro also poses some security risks, as it may expose the user and the device to potential cyberattacks and threats. Apple Vision Pro uses the public key cryptography and the biometric authentication to protect and verify the user’s identity and data, but these methods may not be foolproof or immune to quantum computing or spoofing attacks. Apple Vision Pro also uses the 5G or Wi-Fi connection to communicate and interact with other devices and systems, but these networks may not be secure or reliable, and may be vulnerable to hacking or interference.
- The ethics: Apple Vision Pro also raises some ethical questions, as it may affect the user’s behavior and perception of reality and society. Apple Vision Pro may create a dependency or addiction to the device and the virtual world, which may reduce the user’s attention and awareness of the real world and the physical interactions. Apple Vision Pro may also create a distortion or manipulation of the reality and the information, which may influence the user’s judgment and decision-making. Apple Vision Pro may also create a disparity or inequality between the users and the non-users, which may affect the user’s social and economic status and opportunities.
Conclusion
Apple Vision Pro is a revolutionary product that offers a new and exciting way to experience and interact with the world and the apps. Apple Vision Pro has many good aspects, such as the design, the display, the audio, the camera, and the apps, which make it a truly amazing and magical device. However, Apple Vision Pro also has some bad aspects, such as the price, the battery, the compatibility, and the availability, which make it a very expensive and limited device. Moreover, Apple Vision Pro also has some ugly aspects, such as the privacy, the security, and the ethics, which make it a very controversial and problematic device. Therefore, Apple Vision Pro is a product that has both pros and cons, and that requires careful and responsible use and regulation.
We hope you enjoyed reading this blog post, and learned something new and interesting about Apple Vision Pro. This amazing device is not just a pair of smart glasses, but a gateway to a whole new world of augmented reality. Whether you want to play immersive games, watch stunning videos, or enhance your productivity, Apple Vision Pro has something for everyone. So what are you waiting for? Order yours today and see the difference for yourself. Thank you for reading, and stay tuned stay safe.