After using the Apple Vision Pro for two months, it hasn't significantly changed the way I live. It hasn't replaced my television, and I still prefer using my powerful desktop and slim laptops. It is simply another tool in my collection of gadgets – one I can use to watch X-Men '97 in bed or conduct research away from my office. The Vision Pro quickly becomes a normal part of my routine, making it easy to forget how innovative it truly is. The screens are still incredibly impressive, and the combination of eye tracking and Apple's gesture controls create a very user-friendly AR/VR interface.
Even though the Vision Pro may not be a top choice for most people, Apple has made some improvements for early adopters. There has been an increase in games on the App Store and Arcade, as well as a selection of 3D films for Apple TV+ subscribers. The addition of Spatial Personas enhances the telepresence capabilities of the Vision Pro. However, users are still waiting for Apple to deliver on the promise of 180-degree Immersive Video and to allow for higher quality Spatial Videos to be created on iPhones. After completing a comprehensive review of the Vision Pro, I began using it in my daily life like any regular user.
I must disclose that I returned the unit I originally purchased, but Apple provided a sample for further testing. I use the Vision Pro headset with purpose, wearing it in the morning to go through my emails and Slack messages while also watching a YouTube video on the wall. During work breaks or before a busy day, I use the Mindfulness app for a short meditation session. The app's calming narration and immersive environment, which blocks out the real world, have been very beneficial for me.
Having the Vision Pro is like having a personal yoga instructor always available to help relax your mind whenever you have some free time. I've found that the Vision Pro is helpful in allowing me to work in different locations. Working from home since 2009, I realized early on that changing up where I work can help keep me motivated. For example, I like to switch between my PC desktop with a large monitor in my office (currently using Alienware's 32-inch 4K OLED) and using a MacBook Air or Pro for writing in different areas around my house.
At times, when I need to focus on a writing task for a long period, I like to go to a park or cafe nearby. Being able to use the Vision Pro allows me to multitask effectively from different locations in my home, such as the deck or kitchen, without being confined to a desktop computer. This flexibility has been helpful when covering events and wanting to avoid being stuck in my basement office. I have even been able to attend conference calls while feeling unwell in bed, as using the Vision Pro felt more comfortable than using a small laptop screen. Although I haven't traveled much with the headset yet, I can see it being beneficial for future weekend trips with my family.
Norman Chan from Tested said that he enjoys using the Vision Pro during long flights because it helps the time pass quickly. Personally, I prefer using a small laptop and headphones while flying, but I can see the appeal of watching movies on the Vision Pro's big screen while others around me are using tablets or small seat-back screens. The Vision Pro is also great for watching movies or TV shows at home. Sometimes, when I'm too tired to go downstairs after putting my kids to bed, I relax in bed and project YouTube videos or anime on the ceiling. Watching X-Men '97 on the Vision Pro brought back nostalgic memories of watching the original show on a small TV in my childhood bedroom.
If I were able to travel back in time like Bishop from the X-Men, young me would not believe I'd be watching a futuristic sequel series using a virtual reality headset with a 200-inch screen. It's amazing how much technology has progressed. The image is credited to Devindra Hardawar of Engadget. The concept of Spatial Personas is like a dream come true for telepresence. When Apple introduced the Vision Pro last year, I found the Persona avatars to be unsettling. They appeared cold and robotic, like soulless digital replicas. The visionOS 1.
The recent update improved the avatars, but I wasn't really impressed until Apple introduced Spatial Personas. These avatars float in your virtual space, allowing you to work together with friends as if they were physically present. This idea is not entirely new, as I previously tried Microsoft Mesh with a HoloLens 2 headset, but the avatars looked more like simple Miis from the Nintendo Wii. Meta's Horizon Workrooms also had virtual avatars, but collaborating digitally in a real-world setting is much more impressive.
Apple's Spatial Personas outshine Microsoft's and Meta's attempts because they are easy to set up by simply turning on Spatial mode during a FaceTime call. These personas feel natural and seamless. For example, during a call with Norm from Tested, it felt like he was right in front of me in my home theater. We were able to collaborate in the Freeform app easily, mimicking the experience of standing next to each other at a physical whiteboard. Additionally, we could personalize our viewing experience while watching Star Trek Beyond together using SharePlay on the Vision Pro. Norm opted for 2D while I chose 3D, and our progress was synchronized.
The immersive nature of the SharePlay experience was heightened by being able to chat easily with the other person instead of using text or FaceTime. It made me think about how convenient it would be to create movie commentaries for podcasts using Spatial Personas, although it would require additional equipment like separate microphones and computers. Despite our unsuccessful attempts to play games together due to different versions of Game Room and time constraints preventing us from syncing up our apps.
I was able to play Chess and Battleship with friends who also had Vision Pro headsets, and it felt like we were actually playing together in person. Others, like Norm and CNET's Scott Stein, seemed to be enjoying virtual chess as well. The main challenge with Spatial Personas is the high cost of the $3,500 headset. Apple is setting the stage for great telepresence experiences, but it won't be accessible to most people until they can afford a Vision Pro or a more affordable Apple headset in the future. Meta's Horizon Workrooms allowed non-VR users to join virtual meetings using Messenger on their phones and computers, ensuring they weren't left out.
Regular FaceTime users can participate in Vision Pro conversations with spatial avatars, but they will appear in a separate window. Unlike Meta's platform, standard users will not have access to virtual settings, although they can work together on specific applications like FreeForm. Meta outshines Apple in terms of capacity, as Horizon Workrooms can accommodate 16 people in virtual reality and an additional 34 participants connecting from other devices. In comparison, Spatial Persona chats are limited to five participants. Apple's Immersive Video feature, which offers a 180-degree viewing experience, was a standout feature of the Vision Pro during its initial launch. Despite a lack of momentum in this area, the initial experiences with Immersive Video were compelling.
However, since its launch, there have been no new additions to the Immersive Video platform, except for a brief five-minute video showcasing the 2023 MLS Playoffs, which was largely disappointing. The video had impressive resolution and depth, giving viewers a feeling of being on the soccer field, but it was disorienting due to frequent cuts that disrupted the viewing experience. Just when you start to get immersed in a scene, the camera angle changes abruptly, leaving you lost. It's like a short demonstration of what not to do with Immersive Video. Hopefully, the MLS is working on a longer and more cohesive experience.
I don't expect to see a lot of Immersive Video content with the Vision Pro being expensive and mainly for developers and professionals, but it would be good to see Apple making more efforts in this direction. Apple is promoting a new six-minute episode of Prehistoric Planet this month, but it's not enough. Where are the creators pushing the boundaries of Immersive Video? Even though working with this content is likely difficult as it's shot in 3D and 8K, it could be a great way for Apple to showcase its new chips.
Instead of Immersive Videos, I've been watching Spatial Videos taken with my iPhone 15 Pro. They still look more realistic than 2D clips, but the 1080p/30fps limitation is starting to bother me.
It's difficult to accept the lower resolution of the Spatialify app compared to the 4K and 60fps capabilities of my phone. While Spatialify can unlock 1080p/60fps and 4k/30fps video capture, the footage it produces is more shaky and buggy than the iPhone's built-in camera. I may use Spatialify when my phone is fixed on a tripod or gimbal, but otherwise, I'll stick with the native camera app. As for the future of the Apple Vision Pro, we may have to wait until Apple's WWDC 24 event in June to hear about any major upgrades for the device or its operating system. Last year's WWDC was when the headset was first introduced.
With the release of the hardware, Apple needs to persuade developers to create Vision Pro apps in addition to their regular iOS, iPadOS, and macOS applications. It is no longer just a concept of spatial computing.
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