Apple Vision Pro to Feature 'Travel Mode' for Better In-Flight Experience

[MacRumors]

Apple has an intriguing hidden feature for its Apple Vision Pro spatial computer in the first developer beta of visionOS. The feature, termed "Travel Mode," is specifically aimed at enhancing the user experience while on board an airplane.

Given that the cabin of an airplane with its enclosed space and unique environmental factors can be challenging for VR devices, Travel Mode seems to be Apple's solution for ensuring a smoother experience.

Travel Mode: The Breakdown

Within the first developer beta for visionOS, we've discovered several text strings which shed light on the functionality of this new feature. The key prompts include:

• Are you on an airplane?
• If you're on an airplane, you'll need to keep Travel Mode on to continue using your Apple Vision Pro.
• Remain stationary in Travel Mode.
• Remain stationary while this mode turns off.
• Some awareness features will be off.
• The current fit may reduce gaze accuracy.
• Turn on Travel Mode when you're on an airplane to continue using your Apple Vision Pro.
• Your representation is unavailable while Travel Mode is on.

From these text strings, it is apparent that Travel Mode is designed to adapt the functionality of Apple Vision Pro for the specific constraints of an airplane cabin.

Disabled Awareness Features

One of the text strings indicates that "some awareness features will be off." This suggests that certain sensors and features which depend on spatial awareness might be turned off or scaled down. In an airplane, the proximity to other passengers and limited space could potentially cause these features to behave erratically or inaccurately. By disabling or limiting them, Travel Mode may help ensure that the user does not have an unpleasant or disrupted VR experience.

Digital Personas Unavailable

The phrase "Your representation is unavailable while Travel Mode is on" implies that Digital Personas might not be available in this mode. The exact reason is not clear, but it might be connected to the constrained space and the disabled awareness features, which might affect the accuracy and representation of avatars.

Gaze Accuracy Reduction

The text also mentions that "The current fit may reduce gaze accuracy." This could mean that due to the position you might take when seated in an airplane, the headset might not sit as precisely as usual, affecting gaze tracking. However, Travel Mode seems to acknowledge this and potentially makes adjustments to compensate for it.

Staying Stationary

Another interesting prompt is "Remain stationary in Travel Mode." This might be a safety measure to ensure that users do not inadvertently move around or make large gestures while on a plane, which could be dangerous or disturbing to fellow passengers.

Wrap-Up

Apple's Travel Mode for the Apple Vision Pro is an example of thoughtful innovation, adapting the device to work efficiently in different environments. This feature demonstrates Apple's attention to detail and commitment to ensuring a seamless experience for its users regardless of the circumstances.

As Travel Mode is still in beta, we expect further refinements and potentially more features before it's rolled out to the general public. Stay tuned for more updates as we keep an eye on the evolution of Apple Vision Pro's Travel Mode.

Article Link: Apple Vision Pro to Feature 'Travel Mode' for Better In-Flight Experience

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

Interesting, we should have a simulated Travel Mode in the Xcode simulator.

 

[ItchyRat2160]

Absolutely dreading the day I end up sitting next to some walloping ******** wearing one of these headsets next to me on a plane waving their arms about and invading my personal space.

 

[magicschoolbus]

Damn; that's going to be a sweet view of FlightAware when you don't pay the 8$ data fee.

 

[dannyyankou]

Just hope your flight is less than 2 hours

 

[JosephAW]

Hopefully Apple is smart enough to have a "traveling mode"where the ups and downs of the vehicle or plane are reflected in watching the content because if Apple keeps everything stationary and your body is feeling up-and-down you will quickly become nauseated.

I guess it helps to read the article, it looks like they are way ahead of me, excellent.

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

Absolutely dreading the day I end up sitting next to some walloping ******** wearing one of these headsets next to me on a plane waving their arms about and invading my personal space.

That’s why Apple uses eye tracking instead of arms

 

[robbietop]

AirPods and iPad are significantly cheaper and achieve the same thing.

 

[whoknows2597]

Just hope your flight is less than 2 hours

I’m pretty sure it will come with some sort of AC plug for home use, and a modified version for sale for traveling.

 

[jz0309]

That’ll go nicely with the new jet I’m planning to purchase early next year /s

 

[filmantopia]

Just hope your flight is less than 2 hours

When was the last time your plane seat didn't have access to an outlet?

 

[jz0309]

AirPods and iPad are significantly cheaper and achieve the same thing.

So you compared them to the visionPro side-by-side?

 

[alexandr]

Great, I can see it now — you're sitting in an aisle seat enjoying some movie on your shiny new Vision Pro...
...the person in the window seat doesn't want to disturb you, but is dying to use the lavatory. Tries to step over you, trips on the charging cable, falls on top of you smashing his head into your Vision Pro....

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

Okay beta

If treating women like princesses counts as being a beta. Then count me in.

 

[robbietop]

So you compared them to the visionPro side-by-side?

I don't need to. AirPods Max is $549 and has 20 hours of battery life and are comfy. My iPad Pro M1 12.9" was $1349 and has 5G capabilities with a 10-12 hour battery life.

The VisionPro has a 2 hour battery pack and is basically a scuba mask.

I don't care about 4K, HDR, or whatever buzzword is hot these days.

And I definitely know I do no want to wear my laptop on my face, regardless of how over engineered it is.

So, for $1900 bucks, or a little over half the cost of the VPScuba, I can have the same experience with a better battery life and a much more convenient and comfortable experience.

 

[sw1tcher]

But wearing a Vision Pro on an airplane means missing out on the action of unruly passengers starting fights for no reason

 

[Rychiar]

This will be awesome for people with fear of flying. Take them to a whole nother place.

 

[redbeard331]

“Staying Stationary

Another interesting prompt is "Remain stationary in Travel Mode." This might be a safety measure to ensure that users do not inadvertently move around or make large gestures while on a plane, which could be dangerous or disturbing to fellow passengers.”


We all know what this is for..☺️

 

[Aston441]

You just know the idiots who get these things will be using 'Travel Mode' while behind the wheel at 88mph.

 

[notabadname]

Just hope your flight is less than 2 hours

Because you wouldn’t want to plug it in at the outlet available on virtually all but the cheapest airlines?

 

[Aston441]

Social shunning shut down Google Glass. Hopefully we can do the same with this.

 

[now i see it]

Can travel mode make my flight attendant cuter?

 

[notabadname]

AirPods and iPad are significantly cheaper and achieve the same thing.

A bi-plane is much cheaper than a Gulfstream G5, and it achieves the same thing . . . .

 

[NT1440]

Social shunning shut down Google Glass. Hopefully we can do the same with this.

Sure it’ll look goofy, but what’s the difference between someone sitting quietly enjoying the device vs someone with a sleep mask on a flight?

Maybe let’s just not be jerks?

 

[notabadname]

Having sat, with kids, on an aircraft, while someone watches “Kill Bill” or a brutal rape scene from ”Game of Thrones” in the seat next to us on a 15 inch laptop . . . I’m liking the ”Vision Pro” version of inflight-entertainment.