Has it been shown how to swap the battery pack? Do you have to shut off the device intra-swap?

[Julien]

And to keep on how well it is thought out:

You are on the couch watching Avatar with the AC USB-C adaptor plugged in. You get an email and you must pause movie and go into another room for business. All you have to do is unplug the AC adaptor from the USB-C battery, stand up and walk into the other room. No need to power down the Vision Pro's and switch from AC adaptor to battery. Makes perfect Apple sense to work this way. The battery/mag cable is always plugged in while in use.

 

[wrcousert]

Does anyone know if the battery uses a standard USB-C connector? If so, there should be alternative batteries that will last far longer than two hours. I'm hoping for a lightweight backpack that can power it all day long. Ideally, I'd like to use this outside of the home or office, for AR purposes in public

 

[UltimateSyn]

Here is a pic AGAIN of where you plug in ANY USB-C power supply (my need to be a certain wattage likely 50 watts or more). Plug in the USB-C battery to the USB-C port (red arrow).

View attachment 2216234

Yes. Everybody understands that you plug USB-C power into the battery to get that “all-day” plugged-in power.

The OP’s question seems to have been “How do we swap the battery packs without interrupted use of the device?” - this would arise in a situation where you want more than two hours of use without being plugged into the wall or another power source, which could theoretically by purchasing a second battery pack and ‘hot-swapping’ them. It does not appear this is possible, though, since terminating the battery connection would presumably turn off the Vision (due to no internal power supply).

 

[subjonas]

Read my post and see how it works. It works just like any other Apple or Android device. Read post #20 as to how it works. You simply plug in power (AC adaptor or Battery) to the USB-C (see post #9 for picture) before the battery completely dies and the Vision Pro will stay powered up (just like your iPhone does) as it recharges the battery.

There are literally 1000's of different USB-C batteries available to buy today as extra uninterrupted power for your Vision Pros.

Amazon.com: USB-C Battery Backup

Amazon.com: USB-C battery backup

www.amazon.com

I did read your posts and I already responded. See post #23.

 

[JPack]

Is it obvious? How do we know for sure there isn’t a small battery or capacitor or something to keep it on between battery switches? There’s a lot of specifics we don’t know yet know about the headset.

Both sides accepting battery connection might be a possibility, but it seems weird if you were forced to switch sides each time you switch batteries. Someone might prefer it on a particular side.

There are several exploding views of the device. There are lenses, cameras, displays, and vents but no batteries.

I can't imagine what kind of tiny battery or capacitor could keep an M2 processor alive.

 

[subjonas]

Does anyone know if the battery uses a standard USB-C connector? If so, there should be alternative batteries that will last far longer than two hours. I'm hoping for a lightweight backpack that can power it all day long. Ideally, I'd like to use this outside of the home or office, for AR purposes in public

The cable that connects the battery to the headset is permanently fixed to the battery and attaches to the headset with a proprietary connector that I believe twists to lock. I believe they did this because a regular usbc connector on either end of the cable could become detached when you’re moving around which would shut down the headset. Or the usbc connector might not be durable enough for moving around and might get damaged. So you can’t use any battery to power the headset directly, you can only use any battery to recharge the main proprietary battery which has a usbc connector to recharge.

I agree it would be nice to get some bigger battery options. Using a second battery to recharge the main battery adds unnecessary bulk, clunk, hassle, and danger of damaging more connectors when moving around (edit 2- also there is an efficiency loss transferring charge from one battery to another). Ideally, Apple would allow third parties to make batteries using their new connector. But if not, at least offer first party bigger battery sizes.

Edit- Oh I do remember there was an article here about some dongle that was spotted that connects to the headset and supposedly has a usbc port on the other end. Maybe that could be used to power the headset with any battery, but I kind of doubt it because, again, the usbc connector could become detached or damaged when moving around. It might just be for data transfer when the headset is not being worn.

 

[Julien]

The cable that connects the battery to the headset is permanently fixed to the battery and attaches to the headset with a proprietary connector that I believe twists to lock.....

It is MagSafe connection and if fact HAS to be. If it were locked someone could come up behind you and yank on the cable or you catch it on something while walking fast or running it could possibly break your neck or easily cause you to fall.

Apple has likely determined that around 2 hours is about as long as you will wear them (especially ambulatory) before fatiguing (they are still a fairly heavy weight on the head). In all likelihood 2 hours is a plenty almost ALL the time and on the rare occasion you do need more than 2 hours mobile then carrying an extra USB-C battery will just be a small inconvenience to deal with on that occasion. So why have a 2x as heavy standard battery pack ALL the time when you only need the extra weight maybe less then 10% of the time? It is all about trade offs.

 

[Night Spring]

It is MagSafe connection and if fact HAS to be. If it were locked someone could come up behind you and yank on the cable or you catch it on something while walking fast or running it could possibly break your neck or easily cause you to fall.

Apple has likely determined that around 2 hours is about as long as you will wear them (especially ambulatory) before fatiguing (they are still a fairly heavy weight on the head). In all likelihood 2 hours is a plenty almost ALL the time and on the rare occasion you do need more than 2 hours mobile then carrying an extra USB-C battery will just be a small inconvenience to deal with on that occasion. So why have a 2x as heavy standard battery pack ALL the time when you only need the extra weight maybe less then 10% of the time? It is all about trade offs.

I read somewhere that the battery cable twists to lock in, but can't find it right now. It's difficult to know which is more dangerous -- a MagSafe connector disconnects when yanked, and assuming there's no emergency power source in the Vision Pro, that would turn off the VP and leave you blind. Either way, you need to be careful not to yank the cable when wearing VP. NO RUNNING.

I agree that 2 hours is probably as long as people would want to wear this headset without a break, the only exception being when you are watching a long movie. In which case, you'd probably be ok with being plugged into a wall.

 

[Julien]

I read somewhere that the battery cable twists to lock in, but can't find it right now. It's difficult to know which is more dangerous -- a MagSafe connector disconnects when yanked, and assuming there's no emergency power source in the Vision Pro, that would turn off the VP and leave you blind. Either way, you need to be careful not to yank the cable when wearing VP. NO RUNNING.......

Now I'm a little confused. I think I remember MKBHD saying the word MagSafe but not the specifics. Also I found this in a review that is also VERY open to interpretation. Apple could have huge safety/liability issues either way. They must have put some thought into this and there is something we are missing.

Apple’s Vision Pro AR/VR Headset: Bold, Innovative, and Ridiculously Expensive

The Apple Vision Pro, a $3,500 mixed-reality headset that will go on sale in early 2024, is Apple’s big bet on augmented and virtual reality.

www.nytimes.com

NYTimes "...The Vision Pro connects to a braided battery cable that looks very similar to a MacBook MagSafe cable or an iMac power cable....."

 

[subjonas]

It is MagSafe connection

Are you informing us of what you read or saw somewhere? If so, that’s contradictory to what I saw. Or are you declaring this because that’s how you would have made it?

So why have a 2x as heavy standard battery pack ALL the time when you only need the extra weight maybe less then 10% of the time?

Who said make it standard? Of course not. I said optional sizes. The standard 2 hour battery might be a good trade off for most people, and that could come standard with the headset,, but there are still many people in the world with many tolerances and preferences and use cases, so it would be good to offer other sizes to purchase separately.

 

[bkkcanuck8]

There's obviously no battery inside the Vision Pro.

So yes, you'd probably have to shut it down. Unless... both sides of the device can accept a battery connection.

When it runs down it will lower down, you switch the battery and it will come back online... there is no battery reserve of any sort (even a short one).

If you are not moving around, you can plug the battery in to charge at the same time as using. (i.e. sitting watching a movie).

 

[subjonas]

Now I'm a little confused. I think I remember MKBHD saying the word MagSafe but not the specifics. Also I found this in a review that is also VERY open to interpretation. Apple could have huge safety/liability issues either way. They must have put some thought into this and there is something we are missing.

Apple’s Vision Pro AR/VR Headset: Bold, Innovative, and Ridiculously Expensive

The Apple Vision Pro, a $3,500 mixed-reality headset that will go on sale in early 2024, is Apple’s big bet on augmented and virtual reality.

www.nytimes.com

NYTimes "...The Vision Pro connects to a braided battery cable that looks very similar to a MacBook MagSafe cable or an iMac power cable....."

I watched MKBHD’s video, and I dont remember if he said MagSafe at any point, but I’m sure he didn’t say it was something that just pulled off easily because I’m sure I would have thought that was odd.

And it seems like the article is just talking about the braided texture of the cable, not the connector itself.

Edit- reading around I did see another writer referring to the connector as Magsafe. So you’re not the only one. But I believe the name is either being used erroneously, or Apple is naming everything they have with a magnet in it “Magsafe” even if they function in opposite ways.

 

[JPack]

It is MagSafe connection and if fact HAS to be. If it were locked someone could come up behind you and yank on the cable or you catch it on something while walking fast or running it could possibly break your neck or easily cause you to fall.

You can clearly see the power connector locks into place. It's may be guided in by magnets. This makes sense because the device doesn't have an internal battery. If the cable is removed, the device would shut down immediately.

The "safety" issue is a non-issue. You could be strangled by the cable using EarPods. You could be pickpocketed wearing AirPods Pro because of noise cancellation. You could be hit by a bus while looking down on your iPhone. Those are inherent risks of using the device which are mitigated by warning statements about appropriate use.

 

[subjonas]

Side note, it looks like the cable might not be permanently attached to the battery. This article says it looks like there’s a small hole that might be used to pop out the cable like a SIM card.
Curious.

Vision Pro battery appears to be swappable, with the original cable

One of the compromises Apple made with the launch of its new headset is the use of an external Vision...

9to5mac.com

 

[JPack]

Side note, it looks like the cable might not be permanently attached to the battery. This article says it looks like there’s a small hole that might be used to pop out the cable like a SIM card.
Curious.

Vision Pro battery appears to be swappable, with the original cable

One of the compromises Apple made with the launch of its new headset is the use of an external Vision...

9to5mac.com

Good find. Supports the idea that the battery is locked into place and there is no reserve battery. If either end of the power cable gets disconnected, the headset is powering off.

 

[bkkcanuck8]

Side note, it looks like the cable might not be permanently attached to the battery. This article says it looks like there’s a small hole that might be used to pop out the cable like a SIM card.
Curious.

Vision Pro battery appears to be swappable, with the original cable

One of the compromises Apple made with the launch of its new headset is the use of an external Vision...

9to5mac.com

The center of the circle - the large 'hole' is the power port... there are two small 'holes' equidistant from the cable ... but I believe one (and potentially the second) is likely an inset status light for the battery. I cannot see a hole like that being used to 'unlock' the cable. It might be detachable -- but likely if it were it would be pulled out... no need for fancy small pin holes.

 

[JPack]

The center of the circle - the large 'hole' is the power port... there are two small 'holes' equidistant from the cable ... but I believe one (and potentially the second) is likely an inset status light for the battery. I cannot see a hole like that being used to 'unlock' the cable. It might be detachable -- but likely if it were it would be pulled out... no need for fancy small pin holes.

AirPods case uses a single status light for battery. I don’t see why it would be different here.

 

[subjonas]

Good find. Supports the idea that the battery is locked into place and there is no reserve battery. If either end of the power cable gets disconnected, the headset is powering off.

Thanks.
Well, I thought it was permanently attached before, so both scenarios still suggest the headset will power off.
And I think that’s likely, but still wonder if there’s a small chance that there is a tiny battery inside somewhere to keep the software in some kind of suspended state while swapping batteries, as opposed to a full on reboot.

 

[tomtad]

The center of the circle - the large 'hole' is the power port... there are two small 'holes' equidistant from the cable ... but I believe one (and potentially the second) is likely an inset status light for the battery. I cannot see a hole like that being used to 'unlock' the cable. It might be detachable -- but likely if it were it would be pulled out... no need for fancy small pin holes.

If that is the case, and one is indeed a status indicator, then what exactly is the other hole for then?

 

[subjonas]

The center of the circle - the large 'hole' is the power port... there are two small 'holes' equidistant from the cable ... but I believe one (and potentially the second) is likely an inset status light for the battery. I cannot see a hole like that being used to 'unlock' the cable. It might be detachable -- but likely if it were it would be pulled out... no need for fancy small pin holes.

Who knows until we get more info, but the line of separation around where the cable is attached, further suggests it can detach. So yeah, one way or another, I think it’s a good bet it can detach.

 

[bkkcanuck8]

If that is the case, and one is indeed a status indicator, then what exactly is the other hole for then?

Maybe an air gap hole so that when the heat / battery expansion. I just don't see Apple using a SIM tray hole for locking or unlocking the cable.

 

[JPack]

Thanks.
Well, I thought it was permanently attached before, so both scenarios still suggest the headset will power off.
And I think that’s likely, but still wonder if there’s a small chance that there is a tiny battery somewhere to keep the software in some kind of suspended state while swapping batteries, as opposed to a full on reboot.

I think that’s a possibility, perhaps something like a “suspend to RAM” battery. But we’ve all seen how fast Apple flash is. Why increase complexity for a few seconds of faster boot?

 

[subjonas]

I think that’s a possibility, perhaps something like a “suspend to RAM” battery. But we’ve all seen how fast Apple flash is. Why increase complexity for a few seconds of faster boot?

It is fast, but the thing is you might lose your place in a webpage or video or some 3D experience. If so, navigating back to your place would be the time sucker. So I think a small internal battery would be worth it if it can avoid that.

 

[JPack]

It is fast, but the thing is you might lose your place in a webpage or video or some 3D experience. If so, navigating back to your place would be the time sucker. So I think a small internal battery would be worth it if it can avoid that.

I see three possibilities:

1) "Low power" battery swap mode where M1 + R1 are still running - big battery required
2) "Suspend to RAM" mode - extremely fast boot - small battery required
3) "Suspend to flash" mode - 5 second boot - no battery required

Given this device seems intended largely for indoor media consumption use, I think #3 makes most sense. Users are probably within sight of AC power at all times. How often do users:

1) Require zero down time; and
2) Lack access to AC power?

 

[Night Spring]

I see three possibilities:

1) "Low power" battery swap mode where M1 + R1 are still running - big battery required
2) "Suspend to RAM" mode - extremely fast boot - small battery required
3) "Suspend to flash" mode - 5 second boot - no battery required

Given this device seems intended largely for indoor media consumption use, I think #3 makes most sense. Users are probably within sight of AC power at all times. How often do users:

1) Require zero down time; and
2) Lack access to AC power?

I agree. Also, I expect we'd get low power warnings before the device shuts down. iPads and iPhones give low power warnings at 10% and 5% battery left. My earbuds warn me when they are low on power.VP could warm users in a similar way.