Apple might be one of the most innovative tech companies of all time and doesn’t matter if you are not a fan, the truth is that Apple is an expert in its field, and you probably have used one of their products.
Recently the Apple Vision Pro was launched for US$3.499. While some argue that there are similar devices available in the market at a much lower price, Apple is positioning this as the beginning of «Spatial computing», although it might be described as just another mixed reality headset by some tech critics, and this description is not entirely incorrect. In fact, Apple’s marketing strategy is focused on creating a unique brand identity, and using catchy names is one of the ways they achieve this.
Its launch was a little unexpected, the people wanted to see what they were promised, and there was a lot of expectation to see the new device that may replace or complement the Mac, but the sales numbers did not meet expectations. Consequently, Apple had to reduce its production forecast from 1 million to 400 thousand units.
Meta launched its Quest 3 device in October 2023, which is priced at just US$499, seven times cheaper than the Apple Vision Pro. However, despite its lower price, the sales numbers have not been very impressive. This probably means that the market is not completely accepting these devices yet. Some people find them uncomfortable, isolating, and a very new technology that has yet to find its place in the industry.
Talking about technical specifications, the Vision Pro is equipped with their M2 chip, one of the latest chips used in Macs, and their first specialized Vision Pro chip called R1, which makes this device the most powerful in its field. The 23 million pixels micro-led display together with their stereoscopic 3D camera system gives the user an immersive experience. Also, there are lots of sensors that analyze every aspect of the user’s surroundings to detect body movements, adjust the ambient lights, detect other people, and track their location.
From the moment that you open the box and try on the headset, the headbands hug your head in a very comfortable way, the display shows you what is around you through its cameras and mixes it with 3D objects that complement very well your surroundings, and if you want the whole experience, you can enter an entirely 3D environment where you will be surrounded by lakes, mountains or even dinosaurs. And after setting up the new device, it’s amazing how seamlessly Mac habits integrate with reality.
Although Apple pays so much attention to detail, there are some things that are not as satisfying as their display. The fact that there is a cable and an external battery is very annoying, the hand and eye tracking system is not as good as a normal user would want it to be, and many people find it frustrating, not to mention that it kind of isolates the user from their environment.
Some YouTubers, such as Casey Neistat, have tested and worn the Apple Vision Pro while on the streets, and from watching that, we can say that it is comfortable to use on a daily basis thanks to its very comfy materials. However, they have also found that the features do not work as usual when used outdoors because the sensors are not meant to work on a moving scenario, the Cameras lose track of the objects around you and some features stop working automatically for safety reasons if you start moving too fast. Also, the reviewers started to notice that objects appeared to be closer or farther away than they really were, so be careful choosing the places where you use this device, it can be a little bit dangerous.
Is Apple anticipating the Vision Pro to be a more productive device than a Mac, or will it be used primarily for entertainment purposes, as with many headsets currently on the market? Many questions that have no sure answer yet, but it is an amazing device with a promising future no doubt, especially because of its potential for industrial scenarios and enterprise usage, a topic that will be seen later in the blog.
