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Apple's Vision Pro Developer Labs Not Drawing Many Attendees
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Having a high-paying job, on a design team for a product that no one will want, but the company has a religious conviction to keep sinking money into, has to be the best gig ever.
Get a more budget friendly model without the funny eye screen and mad glass front and it will sell itself.
While understanding the economic needs of a business, your view seems very shortsighted.
Smart companies of all types are making money in the present and investing in the future so when the next present arrives they are making money.
Regarding Apple Vision Pro....
1. It's pretty gutsy for Apple to spend so much R&D on it. However, I really don't think that it will take off. I cannot think of any compelling use for it for the average consumer. It's a great tech demo....played around with a little bit by the average person and then never used again.
2. Lots of new tech looks good on paper but never catch on in "real life."
3. Apple's Vision Pro reminds me a lot of what was happening with 3D-TV, years back. Look what happened to that pipe dream.
Instead, I wish that Apple would focus more on core functionality for its computing platforms. This would include a more robust and modern OS, ZFS file system, advanced collaboration tools, cloud services which are reliable, etc. Of course, none of these things mentioned are very sexy for the consumer. However, they are important for those who use Apple's hardware/software for important tasks.
Understandably, Apple's (like every company) main goal is to make money, and not to "change the world" as its marketing department would have us believe. So, Apple will continue along the path of making cool electronic toys (and superficial macOS updates) for the masses.
My opinions....coming from a long-time Apple user and enthusiast.
richmlow
1. It's pretty gutsy for Apple to spend so much R&D on it. However, I really don't think that it will take off. I cannot think of any compelling use for it for the average consumer. It's a great tech demo....played around with a little bit by the average person and then never used again.
2. Lots of new tech looks good on paper but never catch on in "real life."
3. Apple's Vision Pro reminds me a lot of what was happening with 3D-TV, years back. Look what happened to that pipe dream.
Instead, I wish that Apple would focus more on core functionality for its computing platforms. This would include a more robust and modern OS, ZFS file system, advanced collaboration tools, cloud services which are reliable, etc. Of course, none of these things mentioned are very sexy for the consumer. However, they are important for those who use Apple's hardware/software for important tasks.
Understandably, Apple's (like every company) main goal is to make money, and not to "change the world" as its marketing department would have us believe. So, Apple will continue along the path of making cool electronic toys (and superficial macOS updates) for the masses.
My opinions....coming from a long-time Apple user and enthusiast.
richmlow
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All you guys are supposed to be the next group of brilliant, innovative and forward thinking minds that will lead us into the future. You would never think so from reading most of the comments.
The battery life is 2 hours in plugged. It will be plugged in to a charging port on a plane.
I’m a developer who has an idea for a Vision Pro app. However, I live pretty darned far from Cupertino, and I’m still pretty far from some east coast cities, also. Apple should hold Vision Pro developer labs in just about all 50 states to make it easier for developers to get there. Why should I spend extra money to develop for a product that I haven’t seen and that is untested? I really need to get my hands on one before I decide to spend the time on making an app.
These are low volume, niche, specialist markets. Apple is really only interested in the mass consumer market and has a really poor record of providing long term support to anything else, dropping it like a stone sales don't pan out.
Feedback from one of the devs who did.
mastodon.social
Seems it’s more the distance, and less so any lack of interest. There’s no reason to believe why Apple isn’t monitoring the situation and will add more centres in the future if need be.
David Smith (@_Davidsmith@mastodon.social)
Attached: 1 image I was fortunate enough to attend one of the Apple Vision Pro labs. While the contents and specifics of the lab itself are strictly confidential, what I can say is that it was *hugely* beneficial and helpful. If you have any interest in developing for visionOS I can strongly...
mastodon.social
Seems it’s more the distance, and less so any lack of interest. There’s no reason to believe why Apple isn’t monitoring the situation and will add more centres in the future if need be.
Because it’s to darn expensive! Why develop for something hardly anybody is going to buy?
A lot of this is down to it It gimmicky features like eyes on the outside using an LED display so others can see when you see them. It’s a glorified “red dot means recording” that would have cost millions to develop that needs recouping, and add an extra ~$100 to the parts cost.
It’s got no room scale controller, so it’s next to useless for the biggest software market for VR in the last 10 years is locked out.
Yeah, its eye tracking is cool, and its hand tracking seems about as good as every other time it’s been tried (as in meh). I have no doubt apple will nail the UI. But currently its uses seems not much beyond content consumption.
It’s taken over a decade for the iPad to become something approaching a productivity device and shake its “YouTube machine” early use case. Unless this has a killer app, that can only be done in VR or greatly aided by the software. This will be a rich man’s “YouTube machine”.
A lot of this is down to it It gimmicky features like eyes on the outside using an LED display so others can see when you see them. It’s a glorified “red dot means recording” that would have cost millions to develop that needs recouping, and add an extra ~$100 to the parts cost.
It’s got no room scale controller, so it’s next to useless for the biggest software market for VR in the last 10 years is locked out.
Yeah, its eye tracking is cool, and its hand tracking seems about as good as every other time it’s been tried (as in meh). I have no doubt apple will nail the UI. But currently its uses seems not much beyond content consumption.
It’s taken over a decade for the iPad to become something approaching a productivity device and shake its “YouTube machine” early use case. Unless this has a killer app, that can only be done in VR or greatly aided by the software. This will be a rich man’s “YouTube machine”.
These are all very "cool" scenarios!
However, in reality, how useful are these things to the average person!? Please don't get me wrong....I'm not cutting you down.
Here's a concrete example.
In the typical (US) university, computers are not used very effectively in the teaching of mathematics. Despite the tremendous pedagogical potential of using graphics, simulations, scientific computing, Mathematica, etc. in mathematics teaching, computers (as a whole) are merely used as fancy word processors for writing papers and taking notes.
Now apply this scenario to Apple's Vision Pro. Who is going to create the mathematical content for it? Will it be useful for the student, in terms of learning mathematics? Will each student have to buy a Vision Pro to access the content?
.....etc.....
richmlow
I don't have any app currently in development for Vision Pro but I'm wondering if I can sign up just to try out the device and OS (similar to the demo journos were given at WWDC). At least that way I can test out the quality of the device to see if it's worth devoting development time to.
All what guys? It’s a mac centric internet forum not the halls of MIT.
Exactly what I said from day one. $3500 for a consumer device is insanity. If you want people to adopt a platform you need as many as possible off the bat.
I make enough to purchase an apple vision headset. But why would I? What would it do for my life that other devices already don’t?
Developers look at this product like the rest of us do. A luxury we can live without. Why spend millions of dollar developing for the system when you are all but guaranteed not to recuperate your investment.
Apple made a great product.
But so did Microsoft with hits holo lense. And it’s all but disappeared from the public eye.
Fingers crossed this flops and Timmy gets ejected from Apple. When Apple is down with their back is against the wall they do their best work.
You’re 100% correct.
But $3500 keeps it out of reach for 99% of consumers.
Why would a company heavily invest on a headset that no one will buy?
Why have all of these apps for a headset when you can get by and do everything you already do without it?
It’s the Bentley o
Exactly. Why pay $3500 for a Bentley of headsets when you can pay $499 for one that already does everything you require of it?
Why buy a Bentley when your Toyota will outlive it?
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The clickbait title notwithstanding, there are obviously no correlations whatsoever between (location and time) vs interest. I am developing for it, but have no reason to attend one while waiting for my kit to be approved.
Here's an interesting July 31st article related to this topic, pretty strict compliance still being observed.
fortune.com
Developers are being offered the chance to try out the tech before it hits the consumer market in order to build new features for customers—but it’s an offer that comes with serious strings attached.
The legally binding terms and conditions signed by developers—or on behalf of a team of developers—dictate the Vision Pro can only be used in a fully enclosed and locked room.
The document does not directly state that windows must be covered but says developers are responsible for ensuring unauthorized individuals cannot “access, view, handle, or use” the headset. It adds that unauthorized individuals include a developer’s family, friends, housemates, and household employees.
If the password-protected headset is being used, the Vision Pro must also be in “positive control” of the developer—meaning it’s either being used by developers themselves or in their direct line of sight.
When it’s not in use, the headset needs to be stored in its locked Pelican case—a waterproof, dustproof, and crushproof case that is delivered alongside the Vision Pro—and then placed in a locked space, like a room, closet, or drawer, that only the developer has access to.
======
What if developers want to take the headset from their home to the office, or vice versa?
No can do, as the terms and conditions note the headset “may not be moved from or taken away from its ship-to address by you or your authorized developers without Apple’s prior written consent.”
This is a lesson that Apple had to learn the hard way after tech website Gizmodo famously got its hands on an iPhone 4 disguised as a 3GS after it was left in a bar in 2010.
On top of that, developers also need to tell the iPhone maker if they’re going to be away from the headset for more than 10 days and must “consult with [their] Apple point of contact about how to keep the developer kit (DK) safe while [they] are away.”
These measures are underlined with a strict policy on reporting to Apple if the set—be it parts or in its entirety—are stolen or broken, with the brand saying the headset must be returned in good working condition.
======
The Vision Pro marks Apple’s biggest release in almost a decade and was welcomed with expected fanfare on social media.
But consumers can’t expect to get much more insight on platforms like Twitter once the product is in the hands of developers, as they’ve explicitly been told to keep their opinions to themselves.
Be it paranoia or sound business sense, Apple isn’t taking any risks when it comes to the publication of unapproved content, writing developers are banned from “discussing, publicly writing about, or reviewing the DK, whether online, in print, in person, or on social media.
“You may not post, or permit your authorized developers to post, any photos, videos, or reactions to or about the DK.”
Apple’s top secret instructions to Vision Pro developers is next level
The $3,499 headset is due to hit the market next year—and Apple is determined to quash any leaks.
Developers are being offered the chance to try out the tech before it hits the consumer market in order to build new features for customers—but it’s an offer that comes with serious strings attached.
The legally binding terms and conditions signed by developers—or on behalf of a team of developers—dictate the Vision Pro can only be used in a fully enclosed and locked room.
The document does not directly state that windows must be covered but says developers are responsible for ensuring unauthorized individuals cannot “access, view, handle, or use” the headset. It adds that unauthorized individuals include a developer’s family, friends, housemates, and household employees.
If the password-protected headset is being used, the Vision Pro must also be in “positive control” of the developer—meaning it’s either being used by developers themselves or in their direct line of sight.
When it’s not in use, the headset needs to be stored in its locked Pelican case—a waterproof, dustproof, and crushproof case that is delivered alongside the Vision Pro—and then placed in a locked space, like a room, closet, or drawer, that only the developer has access to.
======
What if developers want to take the headset from their home to the office, or vice versa?
No can do, as the terms and conditions note the headset “may not be moved from or taken away from its ship-to address by you or your authorized developers without Apple’s prior written consent.”
This is a lesson that Apple had to learn the hard way after tech website Gizmodo famously got its hands on an iPhone 4 disguised as a 3GS after it was left in a bar in 2010.
On top of that, developers also need to tell the iPhone maker if they’re going to be away from the headset for more than 10 days and must “consult with [their] Apple point of contact about how to keep the developer kit (DK) safe while [they] are away.”
These measures are underlined with a strict policy on reporting to Apple if the set—be it parts or in its entirety—are stolen or broken, with the brand saying the headset must be returned in good working condition.
======
The Vision Pro marks Apple’s biggest release in almost a decade and was welcomed with expected fanfare on social media.
But consumers can’t expect to get much more insight on platforms like Twitter once the product is in the hands of developers, as they’ve explicitly been told to keep their opinions to themselves.
Be it paranoia or sound business sense, Apple isn’t taking any risks when it comes to the publication of unapproved content, writing developers are banned from “discussing, publicly writing about, or reviewing the DK, whether online, in print, in person, or on social media.
“You may not post, or permit your authorized developers to post, any photos, videos, or reactions to or about the DK.”
I disagree. There is nothing much left to do in computing platforms besides small performance upgrades. We need a new computing paradigm for the future and spatial is the key.
Troll food. App development is global, not local. US is first to market bc of its size. It’s too early for anyone to test it out anyway.
Let’s see how the backlog will look like when it launches.
Let’s see how the backlog will look like when it launches.