Vision Pro Developer Kits Will Feature Customized Sizing, Tracking With AirTag

[MacRumors]

Apple this week began allowing developers to apply for a Vision Pro developer kit, which Apple plans to loan out to some companies and individuals for the purpose of app development. Developers who are approved for a headset will need to go through a customization process, which will provide a tailored fit for the lead person on the team.

As shared by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and a MacRumors reader, Apple will use an app to help developers find the correct Head Band and Light Seal fit for the Vision Pro. The "W" could perhaps refer to width, while the "N" may reference the size of the nose bridge, which are measurements used for fitting glasses and other optical devices.

Developers who wear glasses and need optical inserts will be put in touch with Zeiss to send Zeiss prescription information.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1684641969618759680

Based on the information that's been shared, kits will be tuned to a single developer, and other developers on the team may not be able to experience Vision Pro to its fullest because a snug fit between the face and the Light Seal is required.

Information on Apple's developer website also mentions a workflow for unpairing an AirTag when returning a kit, which suggests Apple is using its item trackers to keep tabs on the headsets. Vision Pro developer kits are shipped in a lockable Pelican case that needs to be kept locked when the headset is not in use, and developers must keep the headsets in a secure location. An AirTag could perhaps be included in the storage case to allow it to be tracked down in the event of a theft.

Each developer that receives a kit will have the testing process overseen by a partnership manager, and developers will receive extra help with app development. Apple plans to prioritize developers who are creating apps that take advantage of the visionOS features and capabilities.

While Apple has been accepting applications since earlier this week, there is no word yet on whether any developers have had their applications approved. It is not yet clear when developer kits will be shipped out, and we may not know because Apple is overseeing the testing process so closely.

Article Link: Vision Pro Developer Kits Will Feature Customized Sizing, Tracking With AirTag

 

[tripsync]

lol wonder who already violated the terms for having been approved

 

[contacos]

The whole „must be perfectly fitted to A person“ makes this product already dead before arrival to me like if a household cannot even share it … do they expect you to buy 3+ of these for a household? I can hardly picture my former tech university justifying this purchase „sorry you can’t use this vision pro in the lab, it’s been fit for student A only“

 

[RodThePlod]

The whole „must be perfectly fitted to A person“ makes this product already dead before arrival to me like if a household cannot even share it … do they expect you to buy 3+ of these for a household? I can hardly picture my former tech university justifying this purchase „sorry you can’t use this vision pro in the lab, it’s been fit for student A only“

No - one device can still be shared. You’ll need buy individual light seals for each person to get the correct fit.

 

[LV426]

I can see why the top headband might be an issue!

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Does anyone feel like there’s a lot going on when it comes to using Apple Vision Pro? 😭

 

[ThailandToo]

No - one device can still be shared. You’ll need buy individual light seals for each person to get the correct fit.

That’s really lame. Apple isn’t getting the best start with this. And it’s going to take a lot of transparency to ensure people don’t have instant buyers remorse.

 

[till]

This really seems like excessive security for a device which has been announced and demoed to hundreds of journalists.

I mean sure they don't want developers lending it to other people or posting everything online, but this isn't some secret project.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Does anyone feel like there’s a lot going on when it comes to using Apple Vision Pro? 😭

Yes, but after you slip one on, a blue light flashes and then subliminal messaging begins to sneak into your thoughts:

• There was NOT a lot going on using Vpro.
• This is the best product ever made.
• How could anyone get by without one?
• That's not a notch, it was more screen RE to the left and right.
• The price hike is driven only by inflation, supply chain, covid or <other>, not Apple Inc.
• This is an essential device all must own.
• I was holding that iPhone 4 wrong.
• No other $20 handkerchief is even close to comparing to the Apple one.
• I am willing to pay ANY price for Apple stuff from this day forward... and I must collect them ALL!!!
• Patent protections should only apply to Apple patents.
• 99% actually DON'T need what Apple does not have for sale right now... but 100% definitely DO need it when Apple rolls out THEIR version of it in the future.
• All good monitor stands should cost $1000. And everyone should own 1 to use and at least 1 for backup.
• I will connect my bank account directly to Apple so they can just take whatever they need.
• I pledge my supreme allegiance to the one and only Apple, above all others and forevermore.

...and so on.

All

 

[rjjacobson]

Does anyone feel like there’s a lot going on when it comes to using Apple Vision Pro? 😭

Will be interesting @TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️ waiting on my application but even if not approved I am having a blast playing with the SDK and the Vision Pro Simulator and starting to learn to program for app I am working on.

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

Even with that AirTag, I still have a feeling it'll end up on eBay.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Even with that AirTag, I still have a feeling it'll end up on eBay.

To be immediately followed by a thousand lawyers raining upon the seller like a biblical plague of locusts.

Unless you mean in about 2036, for which the swarm might only be like a herd of buffalo (modern herd, not old west movie "sounds like thunder" sized).

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

To be immediately followed by a thousand lawyers raining upon the seller like a biblical plague of locusts.

Hasn't stopped stupid people from doing stupid things before! 🤣

 

[jz0309]

so apple is trying to keep the experience as tightly locked as possible - can't blame them

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Hasn't stopped stupid people from doing stupid things before! 🤣

...which is mostly why the world still needs lawyers in 2023.

Rein in stupid, greed and a few dark emotions, and most lawyers would need a side gig. Uber? McDs?

 

[Yujenisis]

No - one device can still be shared. You’ll need buy individual light seals for each person to get the correct fit.

Do we know this for sure? I suspect you’re right if you want extra fittings. I would hope the experience will be like a more complex version of being fitted for an Apple Watch band and that your fit is included in the price.

Meta has taken the same approach as every other VR/XR manufacturer giving users almost no fit options out of the box except for a standard fit and an eyeglasses spacer. The fit isn’t great, but rather “good enough” and light leak is to be expected as as it’s “one-size-fits-all”. Meta does sell separate silicone inserts for some added customization and many third-party companies offer their own which you have to figure out through trial and error…it’s an experience meant for…enthusiasts.

The fact is no one has or will solve for the fact that wearables will always need to be adapted to individuals for the best experience. Can Apple make this easy and seamless? For the price they better.

 

[t0rqx]

This product is a failure at this very moment. The only thing that could make it more interesting if they are able to downsize it to regular glasses. Still I would not recommend such device. Technology will be far more advanced later, for now this has no purpose whatsoever.

 

[entropys]

No - one device can still be shared. You’ll need buy individual light seals for each person to get the correct fit.

The example Rod gave was a school lab. If this degree of customisation is required, it will not be useful for those kinds of labs, unless retail versions have a fair bit more flexibility, which one would hope is the case. Comments from those trying a Vision Pro at launch suggest there will be a set of standardised fitments for just this situation, but it sounds like the experience will be lesser.
Exclusive prescriptions for Zeiss is also a bit if a worry: why not just have a ‘standard’ shape that any lens manufacturer could provide? Exclusivity = increased RRP.

 

[diddl14]

An AirTag could perhaps be included in the storage case to allow it to be tracked down in the event of a theft.

Lol, why on earth would this need an AirTag for Apple to track its location?
Not to mention that AirTags are not designed by Apple for theft protection.

 

[tongxinshe]

At this price point, only insane people would buy the Vision Pro. Any developers spending money on apps for this platform at this moment, is like betting against the slot machines, their winner odds is less than 5%.

 

[TVreporter]

Great job guys, you just let any would-be thief know the kits have an AirTag.

They’ll look for it, find and ditch it and run off with the headset.

 

[Souponastick270]

Can’t wait for all the angry posts from people who buy into this dev kit thinking they have a right to keep said dev kit after Apple ask for them back like they did with the Mac Minis…

/s

 

[Ctrlos]

At this price point, only insane people would buy the Vision Pro. Any developers spending money on apps for this platform at this moment, is like betting against the slot machines, their winner odds is less than 5%.

You know as well as I do that first wave of apps is likely to be iPad ports and ports of existing VR titles.

 

[aParkerMusic]

That’s really lame. Apple isn’t getting the best start with this. And it’s going to take a lot of transparency to ensure people don’t have instant buyers remorse.

How have you enjoyed your Vision Pro so far? Do you like it?

 

[RodThePlod]

Do we know this for sure? I suspect you’re right if you want extra fittings. I would hope the experience will be like a more complex version of being fitted for an Apple Watch band and that your fit is included in the price.

Well it’s already been discussed that individuals get the best experience from a custom fitted light seal.

But yes, during the press previews the seals used weren’t custom, but just “good enough”. So maybe people in the same family could share them - especially if their physical characteristics (head shape/size, etc) are similar enough.

It‘ll be interesting to see the cost of these, though; Knowing Apple, they‘ll probably be something like $99 a pop. Or maybe $149 - urrrrgh!