Why do people think that AVP needs a killer app?

[NorthernFrostbyte]

I dont understand the concept of killer app. I mean I get the definition of the term but I don't get why they think they need it for a computing device?

What is the killer app for iPhone? None. It's a computing device (on the go). You do things on it. It's successful because it allows you to do anything imaginable in a form factor that is best while mobile.

For AVP, it's the same thing. What's the killer app? None. It's a computing device. It allows you to do generic computery things while you are immersed.

Desktops, laptops, iphones, AVP, these are computer platforms where you are making trade offs on form factors for optimization of different use cases. None of them have a killer app.

What kind of question do people mean?

 

[Polinsky]

I dont understand the concept of killer app. I mean I get the definition of the term but I don't get why they think they need it for a computing device?

What is the killer app for iPhone? None. It's a computing device (on the go). You do things on it. It's successful because it allows you to do anything imaginable in a form factor that is best while mobile.

For AVP, it's the same thing. What's the killer app? None. It's a computing device. It allows you to do generic computery things while you are immersed.

Desktops, laptops, iphones, AVP, these are computer platforms where you are making trade offs on form factors for optimization of different use cases. None of them have a killer app.

What kind of question do people mean?

I absolutely agree with this. I don't need a "killer app". I want good apps designed for use with the AVP. In fact I would worry if a product's success depends upon one special app.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Probably more about VR type sets history. Most people like it, use it for a bit, and barely touch it again.

 

[Bodhitree]

You have to have a reason to carry and put on a big, bulky headset. I think it will be used mostly in the home, but even then, you have to have a reason to put it on, there has to be a compellingly better experience than using an iPad or Mac.

 

[Abazigal]

You have to have a reason to carry and put on a big, bulky headset. I think it will be used mostly in the home, but even then, you have to have a reason to put it on, there has to be a compellingly better experience than using an iPad or Mac.

The main reason for me would be immersion. There's watching a show on a tiny smartphone or tablet, there's watching it on a 55" OLED TV, and there's watching it on a screen as large as my entire field of view.

 

[Bodhitree]

The main reason for me would be immersion. There's watching a show on a tiny smartphone or tablet, there's watching it on a 55" OLED TV, and there's watching it on a screen as large as my entire field of view.

I think that will attract a certain number of people, but IMAX cinemas haven’t really made the case for ‘bigger’ compared to normal cinemas (which share a similar sense of occasion). And you have to compensate for having something heavy on your head, which people dislike. We will have to see how popular it is as a tv viewing platform.

 

[timber]

The iPhone originally did have a sort of killer app as Steve Jobs so masterfully presented in one of his classic performances.

And later became much more with at some time the killer app being having whatever app you want.

So the Vision Pro perhaps won't need a killer app in itself but it does need some sort of killer something, a particular experience, a special convenience, an amazing usecase. We will see, it will be fun.

 

[subjonas]

The iPhone originally did have a sort of killer app as Steve Jobs so masterfully presented in one of his classic performances.

And later became much more with at some time the killer app being having whatever app you want.

So the Vision Pro perhaps won't need a killer app in itself but it does need some sort of killer something, a particular experience, a special convenience, an amazing usecase. We will see, it will be fun.

I don’t know how the idea of “killer app” came about, but yeah I think it really just means killer use case—meaning a compelling use case, not necessarily one app. And “use case” can be very broad. And “killer” of course is very subjective.
All my devices have at least one compelling use case that justifies their existence. But for example in the case of my iPad Mini, the compelling use case is not a single task, but simply that it’s the best size and form factor Apple device for me to be able to comfortably consume and do light tasks, as well as comfortably hold for long periods of time and carry around the house (mostly). It doesn’t actually do anything that my other devices can’t do, it’s purely about added convenience. But it offers so much added convenience that it ends up being my most used device. (My other devices remain because they have their own “killer” use cases.)
For the VP, as of now my primary killer use case would be (hopefully) being able to spread out many reference images and documents to view all at once and easily group/show/hide/rearrange in space, for work. Seems like it should be possible but not sure exactly what app(s) I could use for this.

 

[barkomatic]

I dont understand the concept of killer app. I mean I get the definition of the term but I don't get why they think they need it for a computing device?

What is the killer app for iPhone? None. It's a computing device (on the go). You do things on it. It's successful because it allows you to do anything imaginable in a form factor that is best while mobile.

For AVP, it's the same thing. What's the killer app? None. It's a computing device. It allows you to do generic computery things while you are immersed.

Desktops, laptops, iphones, AVP, these are computer platforms where you are making trade offs on form factors for optimization of different use cases. None of them have a killer app.

What kind of question do people mean?

The iPhone absolutely had killer apps upon launch though they may not seem that way by today's standards. It had text messaging, phone, music and an internet browser all in one device which was groundbreaking at the time. In addition, it wasn't long before more amazing apps came along that are now standard.

I don't see any expanded concepts from the Vision Pro beyond that which other companies have already explored--at least not yet. However, what does seem to be case is that the Vision Pro does everything better. There are only a few niche cases where people actually use headsets for work but I think Apple's desire is for the VP to become a standard platform eventually.

 

[jclardy]

The iPhone originally did have a sort of killer app as Steve Jobs so masterfully presented in one of his classic performances.

And later became much more with at some time the killer app being having whatever app you want.

So the Vision Pro perhaps won't need a killer app in itself but it does need some sort of killer something, a particular experience, a special convenience, an amazing usecase. We will see, it will be fun.

The "killer app" of the iPhone wasn't any of these. They were nice, but they were all crappier versions of the actual thing. A physical iPod with a clickwheel was better than the original iPod app UI. Safari was nice and smooth, but the web wasn't mobile ready yet. And as a phone, flip phones were smaller and had way better battery life.

The iPhone's killer app was the experience - capacitive touchscreen, extremely reactive, pinch to zoom, smooth scrolling with the subtle bounce at each end. In the same way, hopefully, the experience of the vision pro is what will set it apart from competitors. And as an owner of a Quest 3, that won't be hard - hand tracking "works" most of the time. But I have to repeat so many gestures. And simple things like tapping a button in front of you requires multiple attempts as you watch the virtual hand physically go through the control with no action.

 

[toobravetosave]

you must not remember the early days when apps were important and not just endless garbage subscription revenue sources

times have changed but if you’re just looking for an immersive tv then you probably don’t need a vision pro for that at these costs

 

[mrmister]

I dont understand the concept of killer app. I mean I get the definition of the term but I don't get why they think they need it for a computing device?

It's because humans have a limited amount of time and attention, so to get them to spend money is one thing—to get them to make a commitment to spend time with a device for years and years requires that it be indispensable.

Things that are indispensible to me? My Mac. My iPhone. My AirPods.

Things that are nice, but not indispensible? My two ipads (gifted, I would never have two, and now each gets used even less bc of it). Like them, but they are now getting older (a mini and an air, both 2019) and while I have used them for many things, I have a keyboard/trackpad, like that they are light, etc...they are clearly not indispensible. Their ideal use case in my life is for reading pdfs, and it happens, but not much. It has not worked out as a laptop substitute. It is good at playing videos in bed...but so is my Pro Max iPhone.

My Kindle Paperwhite does better—it does one thing, it does it well, it has great battery life, and if I want to fall asleep reading it's great for my eyes. That's not essential, but it has a place in my ecosystem that supports its under $100 (bought on sale with trade-ins) price point.

The AVP is very expensive, both in cost and in space—it's a helmet, just in terms of the physical space it takes up. It demands you redesign how you work, fundamentally, and adapt to it. In return it claims to do some amazing things—we'll see more when it is in real users hands—but the things it does are better versions of what already exists—like you can watch a movie on a tremendous virtual screen...but you can only watch it alone, because each person needs their own headset.

A killer app can be thought of as a use case that is so good that it demands you make the purchase, and life changes needed, to integrate it. Even if you are bullish on the AVP, it's hard to argue that at launch there is such a thing.

 

[mrmister]

The iPhone absolutely had killer apps upon launch though they may not seem that way by today's standards. It had text messaging, phone, music and an internet browser all in one device which was groundbreaking at the time. In addition, it wasn't long before more amazing apps came along that are now standard.

As someone who bought one, not pre-ordered but after launch and seeing other people's and weighing the factors (one of which was my cell phone renewal was up) I can confirm it was groundbreaking, even w/o cut and paste, even without 3G, even without the App Store which showed up a little later.

 

[Timpetus]

I dont understand the concept of killer app. I mean I get the definition of the term but I don't get why they think they need it for a computing device?

What is the killer app for iPhone? None. It's a computing device (on the go). You do things on it. It's successful because it allows you to do anything imaginable in a form factor that is best while mobile.

For AVP, it's the same thing. What's the killer app? None. It's a computing device. It allows you to do generic computery things while you are immersed.

Desktops, laptops, iphones, AVP, these are computer platforms where you are making trade offs on form factors for optimization of different use cases. None of them have a killer app.

What kind of question do people mean?

I think of the term "app" in killer app as meaning "use case," not "application you run on it." The iPhone is the best device for many use cases. Same for the Mac and the iPad, they all have some cases in which you'd rather have them than another device that could be used in that scenario, but it would be clunky. VR/AR are neat, but I haven't seen any use case besides games where they work significantly better than other types of devices with broader capabilities.

If there's something super useful that I can do with a $3500 AVP that I couldn't do with a combination of Apple devices that costs the same amount, I've yet to see it. My iPhone 15 Pro and my 14" MBP together cost about the same, and between the two devices they cover 99.9% of my tech needs. I very occasionally want to run a Windows only game, read a book on my e-ink Kindle, or use my iPad to display lead sheets when playing music with my band.

 

[wlossw]

I think of the term "app" in killer app as meaning "use case," not "application you run on it." The iPhone is the best device for many use cases. Same for the Mac and the iPad, they all have some cases in which you'd rather have them than another device that could be used in that scenario, but it would be clunky. VR/AR are neat, but I haven't seen any use case besides games where they work significantly better than other types of devices with broader capabilities.

If there's something super useful that I can do with a $3500 AVP that I couldn't do with a combination of Apple devices that costs the same amount, I've yet to see it. My iPhone 15 Pro and my 14" MBP together cost about the same, and between the two devices they cover 99.9% of my tech needs. I very occasionally want to run a Windows only game, read a book on my e-ink Kindle, or use my iPad to display lead sheets when playing music with my band.

And these headsets are fighting against the physical realities of discomfort, nausea, eye strain and looking like a dork. They better be WAY better at something then other options not not be a niche.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

The reason that people are looking for a “killer app” is because people are scared of this product having the exact same effect as something like other VR gaming headsets or the Nintendo Wii.
You know, where you get the new product, you love the new product for a week, you set the new product down… And it sits there collecting dust for the rest of its support life.
Definitely a concern of mine as well, even though I have no intentions on purchasing the first generation at all.
Will people still be using their 2024 headsets in 2025? That’s what people really want to know.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

And these headsets are fighting against the physical realities of discomfort, nausea, eye strain and looking like a dork. They better be WAY better at something then other options not not be a niche.

There is also this as well.
There’s also the fact that a lot of apple’s recent products already replaced something that exists.
iPods and iTunes replaced CDs, the iPhone replaced… Other phones, the iPad replaced laptops (for some people) and are now kind of the default novice computer, the Apple Watch replaced your watch.

AVP is something brand new, it’s not replacing existing gaming headsets, it’s obviously not replacing glasses, and even though people keep wanting it to be, it is absolutely not a phone replacement.

It is a brand new device for the home in the same way that computers were a brand new device for the home, and it has the price to match.
It has to feel like a true step forward to catch on.
This isn’t like the iPhone introduction, this is more like the Apple II or the original Macintosh.

 

[Sunset Cassette]

I think of the term "app" in killer app as meaning "use case," not "application you run on it."

I agree with this interpretation, and in my mind strangely enough, I don't think the killer use is going to become more apparent until future generations are released.

As the device becomes smaller, lighter, gains better battery life, becomes less expensive (if we ever get a more cost-effective consumer focused version) I think the conveniences and benefits it offers compared to other tech solutions will become clear.

I still think most people will be using them in their homes or in an office I suppose, but not having to be tethered to the wall, having the freedom to walk around in your living/working space without having to hold anything while still being connected to your workflow/entertainment, etc. is going to be pretty incredible.

My interpretation of the purpose of AVP, or what Apple wants us to think it is anyways, is the next step we need to take to disconnect from the tradition of doing work at a desk. As mentioned by Gurman in a recent article, the virtual keyboard sucks, but maybe that gets better over time. The same can likely be said about any areas in which this device is currently lacking, as it is the first generation of brand new hardware and a brand new OS.

No one can say for certain until the end users start investing a lot of time into these once they release, but I'm not sure that this first generation is really going to have that killer app. This is more so due to lack of technological advancement at this time, but I think the seeds of what these devices are going to be capable of, and what they are going to offer to us as the user have already been planted, and we'll just have to wait and see if they sprout in meaningful ways.

 

[AaronParan]

Because it doesn't.

 

[klasma]

What is the killer app for iPhone?

 

[Eso]

The "killer app" of the iPhone wasn't any of these. They were nice, but they were all crappier versions of the actual thing. A physical iPod with a clickwheel was better than the original iPod app UI. Safari was nice and smooth, but the web wasn't mobile ready yet. And as a phone, flip phones were smaller and had way better battery life.

The iPhone's killer app was the experience - capacitive touchscreen, extremely reactive, pinch to zoom, smooth scrolling with the subtle bounce at each end. In the same way, hopefully, the experience of the vision pro is what will set it apart from competitors. And as an owner of a Quest 3, that won't be hard - hand tracking "works" most of the time. But I have to repeat so many gestures. And simple things like tapping a button in front of you requires multiple attempts as you watch the virtual hand physically go through the control with no action.

Hard disagree. The multi-touch experience was certainly novel, but that kind of thing wears off pretty quickly. Our brains adapt easily; it isn't long before it becomes mundane because that’s just how you use it. If this is the best it offered, you’d get bored of the iPhone pretty quickly. Imagine navigating around the phone just for the sake of playing with inertial scrolling, for example. You can get that experience with a friend’s phone or in-store demo unit and never need to buy one yourself.

If that is what the Vision Pro is being sold on, it’s in trouble.

Luckily the ”killer apps” of the iPhone weren’t just crappy versions of the actual thing. The iPod app was perfectly great, I’m not even sure how that is a compliant. Safari was the only phone browser in the world at the time that actually showed HTML webpages. You could put it in your pocket and browse the web whenever you wanted, such as waiting in a doctor’s office or hair salon. No one was carrying around their laptops for that. Pages were the full desktop sized, so yes, you had to pan and zoom around them. It was kind of fun too - I almost miss it. But even so, it also meant that you had full desktop-functionality of pages too, unlike what you get even today with mobile versions of websites. As far battery life, it is almost incomparable since my previous Razr flip phone barely did anything in comparison to the iPhone. The iPhone had 10 days of standby time, 24 hours iPod listening time, and 5 hours of screen-on usage. I found it to be very adequate.

In fact, I think that the biggest defeater of the Vision Pro could be the battery life. Two hours is just horrid. The drop in battery as you use it is going to be anxiety-inducing. 100% over 120 minutes. It’s going to drop about 1% per minute just by being on. That also means if you want it to be usable whenever you feel like picking it up, it needs to be plugged in all the time so that you’ll always start at 100%.

 

[boss.king]

I dont understand the concept of killer app. I mean I get the definition of the term but I don't get why they think they need it for a computing device?

What is the killer app for iPhone? None. It's a computing device (on the go). You do things on it. It's successful because it allows you to do anything imaginable in a form factor that is best while mobile.

For AVP, it's the same thing. What's the killer app? None. It's a computing device. It allows you to do generic computery things while you are immersed.

Desktops, laptops, iphones, AVP, these are computer platforms where you are making trade offs on form factors for optimization of different use cases. None of them have a killer app.

What kind of question do people mean?

I think the term killer app is a bit dated. Back in the day, apps were more platform agnostic specific and so there would literally be a piece of software that would make one platform or brand significantly better than another.

These days, I think of it more as a killer use. The Vision Pro needs something that it does better than anything else. It can’t just be a shiny tech demo or people will stop using it.

I’ve seen a lot of speculation about what that might be - a massive virtual monitor on the go, an immersive home theatre experience, a collaboration tool for remote workers, etc, but none of them feel compelling to a mainstream audience. It sort of feels like some of Apple’s audience are unknowingly retracing the paths that early adopters of the Oculus Rift and Valve Index have already been over. Lots of people see niche personal uses for themselves, but there’s nothing that would make this a mainstream device the way basically every other Apple product is.

But I’m also a certified anti-facecomputer activist, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

 

[zach-coleman]

I would argue the “killer app” of the iPhone was the App Store, and that didn’t come until over a year post launch. It was a revolutionary product, but most of what it did was just combining two devices into one with some fancy toys thrown in at first.

The Vision Pro has time to find its footing. It’s very possible just being a VR headset built from the ground up around productivity instead of trying to cram productivity into a device grown for gaming will be enough to be the “killer app,” even if that is not the version of application usually implied by the phrase… Developers certainly are not sprinting to make productivity apps for the Quest in any case.

 

[AdonisSMU]

TBQH, the killer app is me being able to use my Mac with these goggles on.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I would argue the “killer app” of the iPhone was the App Store, and that didn’t come until over a year post launch. It was a revolutionary product, but most of what it did was just combining two devices into one with some fancy toys thrown in at first.

I would agree, except for the fact that:
A: as revolutionary as the App Store is in retrospect, people forget that it was dead simple to jailbreak the original iPhone, certainly a lot easier than it is today, so utilities to install third-party apps, were literally available within the first several days.
B: the original iPhone was the first with a fully capable web browser, which was definitely the killer app at the time, even if it got the most muted reception at its original introduction compared to some of the whizbang 2000s iPod features.

While we’re on the topic of the original iPhone, anyone think that CoverFlow would be oddly appropriate for the music app on the Vision Pro?