Tim Cook: Not Too Long From Now, You'll Wonder How You Led Your Life Without AR

[Mike WA4D]

What is wrong about living in NYC?

I live half the year in NYC and the other half in the European countryside.

The bad thing about NY is not being able to afford it, if you ask me.

In America, Rural and Small town communities have poor schools, shopping deserts, few social services for the poor and few career job opportunities. Health care is far below that of urban centers. And you must have a car to exist. Even now most rural regions have limited high speed connectivity to the globalized “knowledge worker” area a. With all of that against you, it’s easy to see why they are embittered and fearful of Urban environments. Modernity is a threat to their lives. And that is the new “natural selection” that Darwin could not have seen. Or did he?

 

[fenderbass146]

The future moves forward not backwards sir. People who aren’t visionaries only see what was, not what is or will be. AR/VR is the future, don’t be the oddball out fighting against innovation.

I see what is...smart phones have created a toxic culture due to the 24/7 connected social networks. AR is only going to further that. Technology is always awesome, I love my smart phone, society isn't mature enough to use it responsibly.

 

[fenderbass146]

Preach. While I love tech and the benefits of it, the overload is slowly killing our society. From Social Media to our undivided attention to tech, is affecting us all in a very negative way.

Exactly, I feel the same way, I love tech, don't love how people are using it.

 

[fenderbass146]

Even no cells. There was a time if you left your house, no one could contact you

I personally wouldn't go that far. For example I am a long distance cyclist and also a mountain biker. There have been a few times I've needed to call for help. Also my wife and I have traveled to Europe. Having a digital map at my finger 24/7 with tranlators helped a ton. I love tech, but sometimes it goes to far or has very bad side effects. Social media is a dredge to society in most case.

 

[fenderbass146]

Yep. I am a millennial, and I’ve been off social media for almost 2 years now. Coming from someone who posted 5 to 10 stories a day, I’m even shocked at myself that I was finally able to cut it all out.

I've done mostly the same. Still enjoy reddit for my specific hobbies, but I have cut out all social media provided news and comment sections and I use Facebook only for extremly close friends and family. That kid I knew in high school who haven't talked to is long gone.

 

[Mike WA4D]

I see what is...smart phones have created a toxic culture due to the 24/7 connected social networks. AR is only going to further that. Technology is always awesome, I love my smart phone, society isn't mature enough to use it responsibly.

I get a chuckle out of Apple product users that think they are observers of the human condition. The arrogance that some put forth is laughable, "society isn't mature enough to use it responsibly" but"I love my smart phone" and know how to "use it". I wish we could see the CV's, Military service records and professional resume's of people like fenderbass.

 

[Expos of 1969]

I get a chuckle out of Apple product users that think they are observers of the human condition. The arrogance that some put forth is laughable, "society isn't mature enough to use it responsibly" but"I love my smart phone" and know how to "use it". I wish we could see the CV's, Military service records and professional resume's of people like fenderbass.

Military service records....what a foolish comment. Not too much doubt where the poster resides.

 

[Blu.Psych]

Will be very entertaining coming back to this thread a decade from now and seeing everyone shoot it down when it’s going to be probably the biggest deal of our lifetimes. Literally every sci-fi movie we watch has some kind of futuristic augmented reality or holograms in it, and we all eat that stuff up.

But when it comes to actually having it in our own lives? We shoot it down as if it’s gonna be totally useless. Yeah, this is going to be an interesting decade.

I had the same thoughts. I'm sure this will happen.

 

[973358]

Highly doubt it…I’m wishing we could go back to not being connected 24/7 and go back to dumb phones.

Who forces you to keep staying on your phones? 😂

 

[Mousse]

Glasses are not hit fashion accessories, which is what I said.

Egads. What the heck did I write? I meant glasses can be fashion accessories.

While I agree that glasses are hot/major fashion accessories, they are to those who need vision correction. Even those with no fashion sense--like me--choose frames that works with my face shape. Big name fashion designer produce glasses frames for exorbitant prices. And people buy them up.

In the same way, my phone ain't a fashion accessory. I chose based on price (cheap/used) and utility, not looks.

 

[nt5672]

Amazing how all the people worrying about social interaction have thousands of posts on MacRumors.
Anyway, I'm more interested in VR, to enhance the experiences I have with people who aren't physically with me, rather than AR which may distract when I am physically with others.
I get much more physical exercise when I'm playing a VR game than when I'm sitting on a couch playing a standard console game.

And I get even more exercise when I am outside playing real tennis with my neighbor, really walking the dogs, really mowing the lawn, really walking in the park, etc. Plus the atmosphere is better outdoors (I guess except for a few big crime infested cities) and I get more vitamin D.

 

[Sf844]

I see what is...smart phones have created a toxic culture due to the 24/7 connected social networks. AR is only going to further that. Technology is always awesome, I love my smart phone, society isn't mature enough to use it responsibly.

I don’t get the morals part, we’re discussing whether it will work or not.

I think neither the tech nor the applications are enough for the mainstream market to find it necessary or really attractive.

Computers (desktop/laptop) and smart/phones are necessary in this day and age, and has been that way for decades. OK, people will spend thousands of dollars.

iPads and tablets aren’t necessary. They may be convenient-ish or niche, but not necessary. Hence, people spend less and less frequently.

The Apple Watch may be convenient-ish or somewhat useful, but not necessary. People are willing to pay a much lower price.

The AirPods (IMO the biggest hit since the iPhone), are almost necessary and very attractive. Still, they’re a $100-200 product on amazon.

Glasses selling for thousands? They should be necessary and attractive. Apple doesn’t invent new paradigms, they just improve ideas. It doesn’t matter how light, easy to use and good looking a VR/AR headset is: it’s simply not necessary.

Are they gonna sell them for a few hundred dollars? This looks like, best case scenario, the HomePod or AirPods Pro Max, only it would need its own App Store and OS. In short, it looks very hard to digest and prone to failure at a high price point…

 

[fenderbass146]

I get a chuckle out of Apple product users that think they are observers of the human condition. The arrogance that some put forth is laughable, "society isn't mature enough to use it responsibly" but"I love my smart phone" and know how to "use it". I wish we could see the CV's, Military service records and professional resume's of people like fenderbass146

I fully admit I’ve fallen into the garbage the internet and social media can lead too. Doesn’t mean I’m blind to it’s problems.

 

[fenderbass146]

Who forces you to keep staying on your phones? 😂

Mainly a career that requires it.

 

[Jensend]

And I get even more exercise when I am outside playing real tennis with my neighbor, really walking the dogs, really mowing the lawn, really walking in the park, etc. Plus the atmosphere is better outdoors (I guess except for a few big crime infested cities) and I get more vitamin D.

I get more exercise playing a more active VR game like Beat Saber than I do walking or mowing the lawn.

But my main point is that it doesn't make sense to claim that VR/AR will make people more sedentary. It can replace less active activities for some people, rather than being a device that replaces more strenuous activities. I've heard many stories of people who lost weight because they started regularly playing an active VR game. Would it be even better if they did some outdoor activity? Maybe, but physically doing exercise while visually in a virtual world is better than imagining doing exercise outside.

The same could be said about social interaction. When I play VR games, it often replaces activities that are less social. I should probably get out more, but I don't think the existence of VR/AR will change how often I get out of the house. I already have a plethora of even more solitary activities I can do.

Also, it is often too hot, too cold, too wet, too smoky, or too dark outside.

 

[NotTooLate]

You quite sure about that? Last time I looked, I was a people, and though I have an iPhone (a fully functional 4s would you believe), it provides nothing of value in my daily life. I use it most as a cooking timer, and to remind me to put the bins out. Occasional text to my wife when I'm out. But if I didn't have one, nothing would change. And I seem to be doing alright, thanks for asking.
That ship might've sailed, but I wasn't on it! And yet the Sun still comes up in the morning!

Of course no one says such a statement as a mathematical fact , but if the majority of the population (and by majority I mean a 1.2 billion devices a year) are using a smartphone , such statement is correct to make , giving some anecdotal example on how you are using an iPhone 4S (which is also a smart phone mind you ) doesnt change the statement correctness , for the record I have around 30 min daily usage with my iPhone and I feel like im a light user at best and keep it at home when I go out , but I am do live in a society that cannot live without it , even if you and me are not considered heavy users , that much is obvious.

 

[Mike WA4D]

Military service records....what a foolish comment. Not too much doubt where the poster resides.

Yes the vast majority of American Men who have not, do not, will never perform a routine civic responsibility by serving the nation in uniform — Here on the Apple forums one finds many like you.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

There is no way that AR is going to be as fundamental part of peoples everyday lives as the internet is any time soon

 

[973358]

Mainly a career that requires it.

But that can't be 24/7. Just turn it off after your work, or you'll be paid to do so. That means you choose that poison on your own.

 

[rmariboe]

The use-case I'm imagining for this has me seriously pumped - though I have zero reason to believe this will be a reality.

I'm thinking this will be a content consumption device, but also a work device.

Imagine sitting at a desk that has a mouse and keyboard, but no monitor. You put on your Apple headset, and an augmented version of MacOS is displayed infront of your eyes. The 'monitor(s)' you would use are projected by the device, while you still see the room you're in, and the desk you're sitting at.

This would allow you to have as many screens as you like, at whatever sizes you like, while arranging and manipulating them as you see fit (with a mouse, as we do now, or maybe with your hands). Alternatively, there may not be any 'screens' at all, but you simply move windows/apps around, or snap them to fixed locations; there are many possibilities.

Being able to see the world around you through the device would be key to this working - think AR, rather than VR. Information is projected into your world, as you can look down at your keybord for typing, or grab a pen and paper to jot down a note, or reach for your cup of coffee. I don't think a fully virtual world would be ideal for practical work.

With the way AR has been demonstrated in recent years, I don't think it's a stretch to think these virtual screens could be fixed to a certain position in the room - distance from you, as well as location relative to you as you move around.

Not only would this system allow for nearly infinite ways of organizing and displaying your work, but it would be familiar enough so as to not scare off regular people who aren't tech enthusiasts. Granted, there will be significant push-back from those who think they will look silly, but once they get over that, and look at this as being akin to sitting at your desk in front of three giant monitors, they can simply work within MacOS as they normally would - only with more freedom.

I don't think this is a novelty. I think this has the potential to revolutionise how we work day-to-day.

What you’re describing is now; I have successfully worked with floating apps and supersized screens through the Oculus platform in AR mode. The only issues are the low resolution and heavy weight of the equipment making it uncomfortable to be in for more than a few hours…

 

[bobcomer]

But that can't be 24/7. Just turn it off after your work, or you'll be paid to do so. That means you choose that poison on your own.

It can't????

I'm on call 24x7.

 

[bobcomer]

What you’re describing is now; I have successfully worked with floating apps and supersized screens through the Oculus platform in AR mode. The only issues are the low resolution and heavy weight of the equipment making it uncomfortable to be in for more than a few hours…

I can do that with real monitors and no headgear. That said, I've found that more monitors really doesn't help my job much and muddies the waters... (IT Manager)

My main Windows PC supports 11 real monitors, and guess how many I use. (1). I do much better with switching windows/screens and notifications than looking at another monitor.

 

[973358]

It can't????

I'm on call 24x7.

That's why I said:

, or you'll be paid to do so. That means you choose that poison on your own.

 

[fenderbass146]

But that can't be 24/7. Just turn it off after your work, or you'll be paid to do so. That means you choose that poison on your own.

yup…accept when I’m on call once every 4 weeks. My phone literally has like 4 apps. Maps, Two Factor Security apps, and the default apps For email etc. I don’t participate in the garbae that is a destroy to our culture like Facebook, TikTok, Snapshat or whatever the new fad garbage is.

Again, smartphones are amazing technology and can be an awesome thing for society if used responsibly, they unforunately are not in many case. This speaks to the broader internet as well, but everyone having a computer in their pockey amplifies the problems it creates.

 

[bobcomer]

That's why I said:

Your phrasing could have been better. And no, I don't chose to be on call 24x7 -- I just like to eat and pay my bills.