8GB of RAM is plenty defensible. Exorbitant fees for higher capacities are not.
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Apple CEO Tim Cook Compares Vision Pro 'Moment' to iPhone and Mac
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If V2 or V3 looks more like Google Glass, then I'm in. If it still looks like this - big no.
Long time reader, first time poster, but I felt compelled to post. I tried the Apple Vision Pro today, and the experience was godawful. And that is surprising, since I have been a huge Apple proponent for years. In my home, the Apple brand reigns supreme, to the extent that friends jest I might be an undercover Apple employee, given my deep admiration for the brand. Apple, often misconceived as merely a tech company, has always been a beacon of design, offering unmatched user experiences that seamlessly integrate technology into the fabric of daily life. From the pioneering Mac to the transformative iPhone, iPod, AirPods Pro/Max, and Apple Watch, each product exemplifies technology that not only works flawlessly but enhances our capabilities in an almost magical, unobtrusive manner. The subtleties and nuances of Apple's design philosophy, championed by Steve Jobs, emphasize a seamless blend of technology with daily life, where the tech is felt but not noticed.
Jobs' legendary commitment to refining user experience is epitomized by a tale from Silicon Valley lore, where he, upon observing bubbles from a submerged iPod prototype, remarked on the possibility of making the device even smaller. This anecdote reflects Apple's relentless pursuit of perfection, ensuring that technology serves the user in a way that's intuitive and immediate, right out of the box. However, my encounter with the Apple Vision Pro starkly deviated from this legacy. The initial fitting, the persistent issue of light leakage, and the subsequent intervention by a product expert who deemed some light intrusion 'normal' felt uncharacteristically cumbersome for an Apple product. The necessity to tighten the strap to mitigate this issue only led to a lingering headache, a discomfort so alien to my experiences with Apple that it conjured thoughts of how Jobs might have reacted, likely demanding a redesign, no matter the delay. The software within the Vision Pro is undeniably revolutionary, offering an immersive experience that sets a new benchmark in VR/AR and Mixed Reality. Yet, the hardware's shortcomings overshadowed the software's brilliance, making the device's usage more of a chore than a delight. The physical discomfort, a stark departure from Apple's user-centric ethos, suggests that the Vision Pro, in its current form, is more a beta product than a finished masterpiece.
The device's potential is evident, but until Apple addresses the ergonomic issues, particularly the weight and its distribution, the Vision Pro risks remaining a niche offering, admired more for its technical achievements than its practical usability. I hope that #TimCook takes this as a learning experience to fix all that is wrong with this Beta product, and comes out with (however long) a superior product that goes back to pushing design, and not technology as the driver.
Jobs' legendary commitment to refining user experience is epitomized by a tale from Silicon Valley lore, where he, upon observing bubbles from a submerged iPod prototype, remarked on the possibility of making the device even smaller. This anecdote reflects Apple's relentless pursuit of perfection, ensuring that technology serves the user in a way that's intuitive and immediate, right out of the box. However, my encounter with the Apple Vision Pro starkly deviated from this legacy. The initial fitting, the persistent issue of light leakage, and the subsequent intervention by a product expert who deemed some light intrusion 'normal' felt uncharacteristically cumbersome for an Apple product. The necessity to tighten the strap to mitigate this issue only led to a lingering headache, a discomfort so alien to my experiences with Apple that it conjured thoughts of how Jobs might have reacted, likely demanding a redesign, no matter the delay. The software within the Vision Pro is undeniably revolutionary, offering an immersive experience that sets a new benchmark in VR/AR and Mixed Reality. Yet, the hardware's shortcomings overshadowed the software's brilliance, making the device's usage more of a chore than a delight. The physical discomfort, a stark departure from Apple's user-centric ethos, suggests that the Vision Pro, in its current form, is more a beta product than a finished masterpiece.
The device's potential is evident, but until Apple addresses the ergonomic issues, particularly the weight and its distribution, the Vision Pro risks remaining a niche offering, admired more for its technical achievements than its practical usability. I hope that #TimCook takes this as a learning experience to fix all that is wrong with this Beta product, and comes out with (however long) a superior product that goes back to pushing design, and not technology as the driver.
And he can throw around the term "spatial computing" all he wants like it's this new category on equal footing with the other two, but right now it just seems like a repackaged version of the other two with significant compromises.
I might not know how to run Apple better, but I know what I want as an individual and a consumer.
And no one can tell me that I can't complain about how Tim Cook's decisions affect me by construing that complaint into something about how to run Apple.
When I complain about Tim Cook and Apple I am talking about how I am affected and no Apple defender can say I don't have a legitimate right to do that.
Let's make sure we aren't using "You don't know how to run Apple" as a red herring.
From the reviews it seems a lot of people struggle with having to stare at the object they want to interact with. Like this is slow and a bit clumsy. I wonder if instead you could use a finger on one hand to point and then tap with the other hand. Perhaps it couldn't track a finger well enough for that?
Of course Tim's promoting the VisionPro, but calling it a groundbreaking product is perhaps a bit premature, no?
Couldn't make work? That absolutely makes no sense. All of the needed elements that AR needs to "work" have already been demonstrated on AVP.
You may not be aware that AR applications are usually very "application specific," and not general purpose like what we've seen demonstrated so far (multiple large virtual displays in one's living room - to watch immersive movies or to do computing).
What does "application specific" mean?
Here's a very simple easy to understand example: Landscape design. Where a homeowner or landscape architect can walk through a new home's bare outdoor space and create an interesting design consisting of hardscape, trees, mounds, plants, shrubs, walkways, water features, etc, etc, from a large menu of different possibilities, and setting them in place in/on the ground and ending up with a nice design that can be "walked trough." Each of those elements, such as plants, can be substituted with different options, until the homeowner or landscape architect is happy with the result.
But... Software first needs to be written by developers (or Apple) to address that specific purpose.
The above is a very simple example, and is just one of hundreds/thousands of possibilities. A couple dozen of which I've written about in the past.
Again... those apps need to first be created. By developers or Apple.
They will come from creative people with fertile imaginations.
Holy pessimism in here!
I’m not a fan of the price, but this shows a lot of potential. As a tech nerd, I’m really excited to see what Apple, and others, will be doing in this space over the next 5-10 years!
I’m not a fan of the price, but this shows a lot of potential. As a tech nerd, I’m really excited to see what Apple, and others, will be doing in this space over the next 5-10 years!
The Mac was instantly desirable. The iPhone was instantly desirable.
These AR goggles? Most people aren’t even slightly interested in it.
Curious? Yes. Want one? No.
These AR goggles? Most people aren’t even slightly interested in it.
Curious? Yes. Want one? No.
I personally would disagree on 8GB on the longevity front, but reasonable minds can disagree.
To me, the 8GB base is placing an artificial and unchangeable cap on device longevity (and we know who that benefits and it's not the user)
Overall though, I agree with you that the largest problem is the price gouging on upgrade pricing.
One design change and probably one se version. And maybe the change to usb.c...🤣
Big fat no. Maybe in 7 generations. For this type of stuff to really take off, needs minimum all day battery life and markedly thinner. Maybe almost the same size as regular glasses. That tech doesn’t exist.
For now, maybe it’ll work in educational institutions.
For now, maybe it’ll work in educational institutions.
When the iPad was first announced it was the butt of a million jokes. People were ripping on it left and right...and look how that turned out. Never say never...
Agreed
And we can barely say this about the Apple Watch at this point (size/battery life, etc, being good enough/great), let alone a VR headset with AR aspirations, that we all want in a much more diminutive form factor
It's a long long ways off
You're comparing things that are not at all alike.
Based on some early reviews it is revolutionary (screen resolution, immersion). Is it the device they wanted to make, likely not. The technology for that device won't be here for many years. In the meantime, we work with what we have.
It already has been in development for 10 years!
That suggests to me there were and probably still are major hurdles to get this product down in size and price to be mainstream ready for the masses.
Honestly, this is smelling more and more of a Tim Cook vanity project.
True. That's the reflexive response to most new Apple products here.
"but this shows a lot of potential."
I'm also full in on the potential.
Some people like to put a bit of effort and imagination into the many ways AVP could be used and the problems it can assist in solving.
For others, that's waaay too much work/effort, and it's far easier to declare it a flop. Just like iPod/iPhone/iPad/Watch/Airpods in the past. It's kind of badge of honor.