Question Apple Vision Pro announced - $3499!

[UNCjigga]

So now that Apple's augmented reality device announcement has wrapped up, what's your take?

Some of my quick thoughts:
- The hardware is impressive--what you'd expect when Apple enters (or defines) a completely new category. Each "eye" gets greater than 4K resolution on an Apple-designed OLED display (oleds embedded in silicon substrate). Also, a wearable M2 chip. Also, a brand new R1 chip for real-time sensor control from the equivalent of 12+ different sensors (ray-traced spatial audio, 8+ cameras, LiDAR, Optic ID retinal recognition etc.)
- I'm not sure what the killer app is yet. Apple seems to be marketing this as a) The greatest standing desk work environment ever b) The world's best remote office c) The best way to watch movies (better than a theater?) d) The most intense way to relive your memories
- $3499 seems excessive--but as always, Apple is genius with their pricing. They're comparing this to what you would spend on a 75" or larger 4K OLED TV + Atmos sound system + state of the art desktop computer.
- No controllers! The system entirely uses hand gestures/finger tracking and eye-movement tracking for control, along with a digital crown to control the level of immersion.
- The tech that allows Apple to project a "digital avatar" of your eyes to the people around you sounds nothing short of ground-breaking. Let's see if they've crossed the uncanny valley?
- As always--proof is in the pudding. The 2D "simulated screens" sure look impressive, but I'll be waiting for real-world reviews from people who aren't completely in Apple's reality distortion field.

 

[quikah]

- $3499 seems excessive--but as always, Apple is genius with their pricing. They're comparing this to what you would spend on a 75" or larger 4K OLED TV + Atmos sound system + state of the art desktop computer.

This argument only works for single people. If you are replacing your 75" TV, you would then need to buy one of these for each person in your household. Also, 2hr battery life, so good luck with watching a movie on it, or sit near a wall outlet.

This thing is DOA outside of niche industrial use IMO.

 

[jaydee]

Can't wait for the first reports about kids trying out their parents "new swim goggles" in the pool.

 

[WelshBloke]

I'm struggling to find a good use for this outside of first class air travel or hololens type stuff.
Although I'll freely admit that if anyone can force a market for this it's Apple! Will be interesting to see how it goes.

 

[Heartbreaker]

This thing is DOA outside of niche industrial use IMO.

I don't think anyone is under the illusion that they are going to sell millions of this first generation headset.

There are obviously going to be less expensive models in the future.

This first one is for developers and well off early adopters.

 

[UNCjigga]

I don't think anyone is under the illusion that they are going to sell millions of this first generation headset.

There are obviously going to be less expensive models in the future.

This first one is for developers and well off early adopters.

Was just about to post the same thing. No 1st gen Apple device is either designed or priced for mass market appeal--not even iPod. I'm not even sure that Apple is fully banking on AR being a mass-market tech. I am looking at Vision Pro as something that could have far-reaching implications beyond AR. The underlying sensor tech seems like it could find a home in future self-driving cars, or even next gen user interfaces for TVs/video walls.

What's actually surprising is how consumer-centric the intro presentation was. For something with "Pro" in the name, I expected more industrial applications in fields like healthcare, design, engineering etc. I suspect they're keeping some of that close to the vest still.

 

[manly]

Genius with their pricing? How did pricing their premium HomePod 3x that of the competition work out for Apple?
How do you think this new AR headset will work out, even with inevitable price cuts?

Was just about to post the same thing. No 1st gen Apple device is either designed or priced for mass market appeal--not even iPod. I'm not even sure that Apple is fully banking on AR being a mass-market tech. I am looking at Vision Pro as something that could have far-reaching implications beyond AR. The underlying sensor tech seems like it could find a home in future self-driving cars, or even next gen user interfaces for TVs/video walls.

What's actually surprising is how consumer-centric the intro presentation was. For something with "Pro" in the name, I expected more industrial applications in fields like healthcare, design, engineering etc. I suspect they're keeping some of that close to the vest still.

IIRC the 1st gen iPad was $499 at launch in 2010. Although you're more or less right that there is an Apple tax, they've learned to play the value game over the years. It's very different from the Mac's early heyday when systems sold for several thousand in 1990s dollars. They used to never discount Apple products outside of selling off older inventory; now discounts are common even for new models. Part of the reason Apple has been so successful under Tim Cook is perceived value. To make a bad car analogy, they are now more like high trim level Toyota/Honda than Lexus.

 

[Heartbreaker]

Apple video about it:

 

[WelshBloke]

Apple video about it:

I don't know what it is but there's something about it that creeps me out!

 

[Heartbreaker]

I don't know what it is but there's something about it that creeps me out!

I think the digital eyes looking out of it, are a bit creepy. I keep thinking I saw something like that on evil androids in some SciFi movie.

 

[WelshBloke]

I think the digital eyes looking out of it, are a bit creepy. I keep thinking I saw something like that on evil androids in some SciFi movie.

I dunno. It was a bit that but when he was watching videos of his kids I got an "all my family are dead" vibe! And it just looked isolating and lonely.
Apple are usually really good at making tech human, this seemed the opposite.

 

[Heartbreaker]

I dunno. It was a bit that but when he was watching videos of his kids I got an "all my family are dead" vibe! And it just looked isolating and lonely.
Apple are usually really good at making tech human, this seemed the opposite.

To me it's more weird to wear it while being there recording your kids in the first place. I just can't imagine wearing this to record very young children. I just get a "this isn't right" vibe. You shouldn't have this barrier between you and your kids. Same goes elsewhere in the presentation a dad kicks a ball to his kid while wearing it.

As much as Apple is trying to increase the interactivity with other people while wearing it, I think this is ultimately something you mainly want to use when other people aren't around, and you take off when you want to talk to them.

 

[Number1]

I would hate to have to wear those all day long at work.
Can it game?
My quest 2 is not as sleek or powerful but it does most of what this new thing does.

I am going to draw a set of eyes on the front my quest2.

 

[Commodus]

I would hate to have to wear those all day long at work.
Can it game?
My quest 2 is not as sleek or powerful but it does most of what this new thing does.

I am going to draw a set of eyes on the front my quest2.

It's based on the M2, so it can definitely game. Apple is promising 100+ (conventional) games in Arcade, and it's safe to presume there will be games built just for this.

From the hands-on previews I've seen and read, this makes the Quest 2 seem like an amateur product. And that's not a slight against the Quest 2 so much as a remark on how much of a leap Vision Pro is. Much better displays, a far more powerful chip, advanced hand tracking... and importantly, this is more of a general computing platform than something for running contained experiences. I wouldn't want to work on a report in a Quest 2; I might with a Vision Pro.

With that said, this isn't going to be the headset most people will want. That's the mainstream headset (the Vision?) coming afterward. It'll probably have most of the functionality at a much lower price.

 

[Heartbreaker]

With that said, this isn't going to be the headset most people will want. That's the mainstream headset (the Vision?) coming afterward. It'll probably have most of the functionality at a much lower price.

IMO, one thing they can ditch to save money, is the outside OLED display for the creepy digital eyes.

Seriously, if you want to have a conversation with someone in the room with you, take it off. You don't have to live in there.

 

[Commodus]

IMO, one thing they can ditch to save money, is the outside OLED display for the creepy digital eyes.

Seriously, if you want to have a conversation with someone in the room with you, take it off. You don't have to live in there.

There are definitely some areas where it's clear something isn't necessary. That display, probably some of the sensors, and maybe lower resolution (but not dramatically so) displays. I also figure that Apple will find ways to streamline design elements, and that economies of scale will eventually work in its favor.

 

[quikah]

Tech is impressive, but the negatives are huge issues. Don't see any point in using it how Apple presents it aside from watching a movie.

 

[Oyeve]

Nice product, but heavy and two hours. I am sure they will make a much lighter and cheaper version down the line so its cool. Also, it will compel non-apple devoted companies to make similar products that don't lock you into just one ecosystem.

 

[Commodus]

Nice product, but heavy and two hours. I am sure they will make a much lighter and cheaper version down the line so its cool. Also, it will compel non-apple devoted companies to make similar products that don't lock you into just one ecosystem.

Apple is supposedly working on weight and otherwise refining things as we speak, so what you see in 2024 may be improved even before the company gets to follow-up models.

I'd really like to see Meta rethink its approach after this. It currently reats the Quest headsets as vehicles for the metaverse... which only really appeals to someone who read Snow Crash one too many times. Ideally, it'd focus more on a headset that's useful for everyday tasks and just happens to tap into the metaverse.

 

[Oyeve]

Apple is supposedly working on weight and otherwise refining things as we speak, so what you see in 2024 may be improved even before the company gets to follow-up models.

I'd really like to see Meta rethink its approach after this. It currently reats the Quest headsets as vehicles for the metaverse... which only really appeals to someone who read Snow Crash one too many times. Ideally, it'd focus more on a headset that's useful for everyday tasks and just happens to tap into the metaverse.

Hey, I read Snowcrash a dozen times at least! Was way ahead of its time but now tech has nearly caught up. Still waiting for Smartwheels for skateboards!

 

[WelshBloke]

Apple is supposedly working on weight and otherwise refining things as we speak, so what you see in 2024 may be improved even before the company gets to follow-up models.

Given the external battery pack I'm surprised they didn't put more of the hardware there. It's easier to carry the weight on your belt than your head.

 

[Commodus]

Given the external battery pack I'm surprised they didn't put more of the hardware there. It's easier to carry the weight on your belt than your head.

My theory is that Apple wants to keep the external pack simple so that hot swaps (and maybe even third-party packs) are an option. You won't have to buy a particularly expensive replacement just because your battery loses its capacity.

 

[Heartbreaker]

Given the external battery pack I'm surprised they didn't put more of the hardware there. It's easier to carry the weight on your belt than your head.

With so many sensors, that you want to read in parallel (12 cameras), you would need a monster umbilically if you moved the compute to the battery pack. You don't want compress these signals and send them down one simple connection since that would increase latency. Every millisecond counts.

It's probably the Aluminum and Glass construction that adds most to the weight.

 

[WelshBloke]

With so many sensors, that you want to read in parallel (12 cameras), you would need a monster umbilically if you moved the compute to the battery pack. You don't want compress these signals and send them down one simple connection since that would increase latency. Every millisecond counts.

It's probably the Aluminum and Glass construction that adds most to the weight.

Yeah, there's a lot of pixels to drive!

One thing did occur to me. At first I thought that this would be amazing to use for video conferencing then I realised that there's no way to get a proper picture of your face with the mask covering half of it. I guess that they can use avatars but they always look a bit crappy.

 

[Heartbreaker]

Yeah, there's a lot of pixels to drive!

One thing did occur to me. At first I thought that this would be amazing to use for video conferencing then I realised that there's no way to get a proper picture of your face with the mask covering half of it. I guess that they can use avatars but they always look a bit crappy.

Yeah, they use a scan of your face and animate that, it's kind of an uncanny valley representation.