Hello, fellow spatial computing enthusiasts! If you’re reading this, chances are you’re either a proud owner of the Apple’s Vision Pro, or you’re drooling over it and wondering if you should sell your kidney to get one. Either way, you’re in for a treat, because in this blog post, I’m going to explore the Vision Pro in more detail and compare it with other AR headsets on the market.
But first, let me introduce myself. I’m a quirky SEO writer with an experience of over 8 years, and I’ve been following the spatial computing industry since the days of Google Glass and Microsoft HoloLens. I’ve tried many AR headsets, but none of them impressed me as much as the Apple Vision Pro. It’s not just a device, it’s a lifestyle. It’s a way of blending digital content with the physical world, and creating immersive and engaging experiences that are unlike anything else.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the Apple Vision Pro and see what makes it so special.
Apple Vision Pro apps
One of the first things you’ll notice when you put on the Apple Vision Pro is the infinite canvas for apps. You can access and interact with your favorite apps in a 3D space, and choose to enter deeply immersive experiences that can transport you to different places. You can browse the web with Safari, check your email with Mail, send messages with Messages, take notes with Notes, and so on. You can also enjoy entertainment with Apple TV+, Music, Photos, and more. You can even encounter dinosaurs, practice mindfulness, and learn new skills with some of the preinstalled and third-party apps that are available or coming soon for Vision Pro.
But wait, there’s more. You can also create your own apps for Vision Pro, or customize existing ones to suit your needs. All you need is visionOS, the world’s first spatial operating system, and some basic coding skills. You can also follow the design principles and guidelines from Apple, which will help you create immersive and engaging apps for Apple Vision Pro. You can leverage the eye and hand tracking and gesture control, which enable intuitive and natural interactions with virtual content.
You can also adapt to different levels of immersion and passthrough, which allow you to switch between the Shared Space, the Full Space, the Portal, and the World modes. Of course, there are some challenges and limitations as well, such as ensuring visual comfort and accessibility, but nothing that can’t be overcome with some creativity and innovation.
Apple Vision Pro design principles
Speaking of design principles and guidelines, let’s talk about them in more detail. Apple has always been known for its elegant and minimalist design, and the Vision Pro is no exception. It follows a set of design principles and guidelines that aim to create immersive and engaging experiences for users, while also respecting their privacy and comfort. Here are some of the key design principles and guidelines that you should know:
- Space: Apple Vision Pro offers a limitless canvas where you can view virtual content like windows, volumes, and 3D objects, and choose to enter deeply immersive experiences that can transport you to different places. You can also resize, reposition, and rearrange the content to suit your preferences and needs.
- Immersion: In a visionOS app, you can fluidly transition between different levels of immersion, from the Shared Space where multiple apps can run side-by-side, to the Full Space where one app takes over, to the Portal where you can view another place, to the World where you can enter a different reality. You can also control the amount of immersion with the Digital Crown, which lets you adjust the opacity of the virtual content and the passthrough.
- Passthrough: Passthrough provides live video from the device’s external cameras, and helps you interact with virtual content while also seeing your actual surroundings. Passthrough is essential for safety and comfort, as it prevents you from bumping into walls, tripping over wires, or stepping on your cat. Passthrough also enables some cool features, such as the Digital Personas and the EyeSight, which I’ll talk about later.
- Spatial Audio: Apple Vision Pro combines acoustic and visual-sensing technologies to model the sonic characteristics of your surroundings, automatically making audio sound natural in your space. When an app receives your permission to access information about your surroundings, it can fine-tune Spatial Audio to bring custom experiences to life. For example, you can watch a movie on Vision Pro and hear the sound coming from the direction of the virtual screen, or you can play a game on Vision Pro and hear the sound coming from the direction of the enemies, allies, and objects.
- Eyes and hands: In general, you perform most actions by using your eyes to look at a virtual object and making an indirect gesture, like a tap, to activate it. You can also interact with a virtual object by using a direct gesture, like touching it with a finger. Apple Vision Pro has a remarkable eye and hand tracking system that enables these interactions, and also provides some feedback, such as haptic and audio cues. You can also use voice commands and the Digital Crown to control the Vision Pro.
- Ergonomics: While wearing Apple Vision Pro, you rely entirely on the device’s cameras for everything you see, both real and virtual, so maintaining visual comfort is paramount. The system helps maintain comfort by automatically placing content so it’s relative to your head, regardless of your height or whether you’re sitting, standing, or lying down. Because visionOS brings content to you — instead of making you move to reach the content — you can remain at rest while engaging with apps and games. Vision Pro also has a sleek and comfortable design that is easy to wear and adjust, and supports vision correction needs with ZEISS optical inserts.
- Accessibility: Apple Vision Pro supports accessibility technologies like VoiceOver, Switch Control, Dwell Control, Guided Access, Head Pointer, and many more, so you can use the interactions that work for you. Apple Vision Pro also has some features that enhance accessibility, such as the Spatial Photos and Videos, which let you capture and relive moments in 3D, and the FaceTime in 3D, which let you communicate with your friends and family in a more realistic and expressive way.
Apple Vision Pro features
Now that we’ve covered the design principles and guidelines, let’s move on to the features and specifications. Apple Vision Pro integrates incredibly advanced technology into an elegant, compact form, resulting in an amazing experience every time you put it on. Here are some of the key features and specifications of Apple Vision Pro that you should know:
- Display: Apple Vision Pro features an ultra-high-resolution display system that packs 23 million pixels across two displays, and custom Apple silicon in a unique dual-chip design to ensure every experience feels like it’s taking place in front of your eyes in real time. The display quality and resolution are so stunning that you’ll forget that you’re wearing a device, and feel like you’re actually in the virtual world.
- Camera: Vision Pro is Apple’s first 3D camera. You can capture magical spatial photos and spatial videos in 3D, then relive those cherished moments like never before with immersive Spatial Audio. You can also take spatial videos with iPhone 15 Pro, then view them on Apple Vision Pro. You can also share your spatial photos and videos with your friends and family, and let them experience what you saw and felt.
- Battery: The external battery supports up to 2 hours of general use and up to 2.5 hours of video playback. It can be charged with a MagSafe connector or wirelessly with a Qi-compatible charger. The battery life may not seem impressive, but considering the amount of power and performance that the Apple Vision Pro delivers, it’s actually quite reasonable. Besides, you don’t want to wear the Vision Pro for too long, as it may cause some side effects, such as motion sickness, eye strain, and social isolation.
- Design: Vision Pro has a 3D laminated glass display front, an aluminum frame covered by a flexible cushion, and an adjustable headband. The frame contains five sensors, six microphones, and 12 cameras. The Light Seal gently flexes to conform to your face, delivering a precise fit while blocking out stray light. The Solo Knit Band provides cushioning, breathability, and stretch, and a Fit Dial lets you adjust Apple Vision Pro precisely to your head. You can also choose between two colors: Space Gray and Silver. The Vision Pro is not the most stylish device, but it’s definitely not the ugliest either. It looks like a futuristic pair of sunglasses, or a ski mask, or a VR headset, depending on your perspective. It’s certainly better than wearing a bulky helmet or a cardboard box on your face.
- Price and availability: Vision Pro is priced starting at $3,499, with pre-orders available now ahead of a February 2 launch. It comes in two colors: Space Gray and Silver. It also includes a carrying case, a cleaning cloth, a power adapter, and a USB-C to Lightning cable. The price may seem steep, but it’s actually a bargain, considering the value and the quality that the Vision Pro offers. It’s like buying a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone, a TV, a camera, a gaming console, and a VR headset, all in one device. Plus, you get access to the Apple ecosystem, which is priceless. Of course, if you’re not convinced, you can always wait for the next generation or a more affordable version of Apple Vision Pro, but you’ll be missing out on a lot of fun and innovation.
Apple Vision Pro review
Alright, we’ve covered the apps, the design principles, the features, and the specifications. Now, it’s time for the review. I’ve been using the Apple Vision Pro for a few weeks now.
- say that I’ve been using the Apple Vision Pro for a few weeks now, and I have to say that I’m blown away by it
- give an honest and balanced assessment of the pros and cons of Apple Vision Pro, such as:
- Pros:
- Apple Vision Pro offers a groundbreaking and immersive way of computing and entertainment that is unlike anything else on the market
- Apple Vision Pro has a sleek and comfortable design that is easy to wear and adjust
- Apple Vision Pro has a stunning display quality and resolution that makes virtual content look realistic and crisp
- Apple Vision Pro has a remarkable eye and hand tracking system that enables intuitive and natural interactions with virtual content
- Apple Vision Pro has a powerful Spatial Audio system that creates a realistic and immersive sound environment
- Apple Vision Pro has a wide range of apps and games that cater to different needs and preferences of users
- Apple Vision Pro has a seamless integration with other Apple devices and services, such as iPhone, iPad, Mac, iCloud, FaceTime, etc.
- Apple Vision Pro has a strong support for accessibility features and technologies that make it accessible to more users
- Cons:
- Apple Vision Pro is very expensive and out of reach for many potential customers
- Apple Vision Pro has a limited battery life that may not be enough for some use cases
- Apple Vision Pro has some issues with the Digital Personas and EyeSight features, such as the uncanny valley effect and the privacy concerns
- Apple Vision Pro has some challenges with the app development and compatibility, such as the learning curve and the adaptation to different levels of immersion and passthrough
- Apple Vision Pro has some limitations with the content availability and quality, such as the lack of native Vision Pro apps and the dependence on the internet connection and the external cameras
- Apple Vision Pro has some drawbacks with the user experience and comfort, such as the potential motion sickness, eye strain, and social isolation
- Pros:
- provide a summary and a rating of Apple Vision Pro based on the review, such as:
Summary and rating
- Apple Vision Pro is a revolutionary product that introduces a new era of spatial computing. It offers an incredible and immersive way of interacting with digital content while staying connected to the physical world. It has a sleek and comfortable design, a stunning display quality, a remarkable eye and hand tracking system, a powerful Spatial Audio system, and a wide range of apps and games. It also integrates seamlessly with other Apple devices and services, and supports accessibility features and technologies. However, Apple Vision Pro is not perfect. It is very expensive and has a limited battery life. It also has some issues with the Digital Personas and EyeSight features, some challenges with the app development and compatibility, some limitations with the content availability and quality, and some drawbacks with the user experience and comfort. Overall, Apple Vision Pro is an amazing product that is years ahead of its competitors, but it is not for everyone. It is best suited for early adopters, enthusiasts, professionals, and creatives who are willing to pay a premium price and overlook some of the flaws. For others, it may be better to wait for the next generation or a more affordable version of Apple Vision Pro.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
So, there you have it. My review of the Apple’s Apple Vision Pro, the future of spatial computing. I hope you enjoyed reading it, and learned something new. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, feel free to leave them below. And if you’re interested in buying the Vision Pro, you can do so by clicking on the link below. (Disclaimer: This is an affiliate link, and I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through it. This helps me keep this blog running, and I appreciate your support.)
Buy the Apple Vision Pro here
Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for more spatial computing content. Until next time, keep exploring the infinite canvas of the Vision Pro. Cheers! 😎
