Your Mac and Apple Vision Pro: What You Can Do (and What You Can't)

[Timo_Existencia]

I was set on buying this thing at launch. I've been setting aside my bottle and can redemptions and saving here and there to build up a splurge fund. Now that I've saved enough for it, I'm not sure I want it... I think I'd rather play outside. What are used Jet Skis going for these days?

Careful. That jet ski will mess up your hair and your makeup. Nobody will want to do that.

 

[Realityck]

Competition slows progress?

Competition is always healthy in any marketplace, stimulates generating consumer attention for a product category, as well as helps bring down prices.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Do I have to spell out every single thing, or can your imagination help fill in some of the gaps?

Professional scuba divers wear masks because they get a benefit. Construction workers wear hard hats. Football players wear helmets. Welders wear masks. Musicians wear headphones.

It's not just recreational.

Hence why I said in business settings.. I didn't say professional.

Like it or not, many businesses have dress codes, and they expect your hair to be tidy.

 

[baryon]

What is this device taking the place of? What is its true purpose? I’m an Apple fan and I’m disappointed because, unlike the Apple Watch or AirPods, this device is greatly overpriced for people like me, and clearly has no real purpose to take the place of anything in my everyday life. A huge TV? No thanks I don’t wanna buy 4 total ($14000) for my family and I to watch movies together. A workplace add on? I’m a technician so this is useless to me. I don’t understand who this device is for.

Yeah I'm not sure it solves a problem. Though granted we all said the same about the iPhone in 2007: who is it for? Who wants to browse the limited web very slowly on a small screen for a lot of money when you can do it better at home? And then things changed a lot.

Maybe this will revolutionize something, but I don't know what. I think people generally don't want to be more immersed. If anything, they want to be less immersed. People went from going to cinemas to watching movies on their TVs to watching movies on their iPhones. They want less immersion and less commitment. This thing requires commitment, it isolates you completely, forces you to work alone, and immerses you fully in even the smallest task. I mean if you're designing a nuclear reactor in 3D I guess that's great. But for the average consumer? Apple usually targets average consumers... and I don't know what they do that would benefit from VR.

 

[subjonas]

I was just pointing out how inherently impractical this product is. Some people are talking about this thing like it is the next iPhone.

...It isn't.

I don't doubt it will be impressive when you first try it out, but Apple are selling this as something you will want to wear all the time. Something you will want to use for work. The reality is nobody is going to want to have that thing on their face for extended periods, it will not just be uncomfortable but terrible for your health. It will give people neck strain, headaches and vision problems. On a less serious note imagine what this will do to makeup, hairstyles etc. I doubt it will be popular with women.

I totally get that people want to buy into this futuristic vision, but I think practical reality will kick in and ultimately people will go back to using their traditional computers and displays after trying this out (the few that can afford it that is).

VR does have it's place, but it is better for short gaming sessions rather than work or long-term use.

I agree it’s no iPhone. Anyone who says that is either trying to sell it, or is overly enthusiastic, or is talking about its possible eventual final form as something more like glasses.

But I do think this serves a good purpose for some people. No idea for how many.

As for the effects on health, I’ll wait for scientific studies for official word, but in the meantime, I assume it’s fine with normal reasonable use as headsets have been around a long time and I haven’t heard any news about them. I also assume Apple did their homework if for no other reason than to avoid lawsuits.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Still, if you're the only one in the basement or the sofa… I guess you're good to go. 🤣

“What?? It isn’t isolating AT ALL! In fact, it’s the most social and connecting device Apple has ever made!” - Someome here sooner than later.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I want the Mac experience without the Mac. Should be possible with the built-in Wi-Fi and M2 chip. Imagine having a giant screen on a plane or in a hotel room. But I guess Apple doesn't want that.

Well, in the open market where people are free to buy whatever hardware with whatever operating system they want, systems with macOS are the least desired option. It’s even if Apple DID want it, the majority of people buying computing devices wouldn’t want to buy macOS. That’s why this natively runs iOS and iPadOS apps which are much more familiar to an enormous number of people already.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I mean, that basically proves his point.

“I’d love to let you try this. Let’s get in the car and drive somewhere so that strangers can literally mess with your head.”

… yeah.

Ummm his example was so extreme that that seemed the best reply. In his example both he and his friend have different prescriptions and to demo on demand, he's going to have to order his friends prescription lenses anyway and "wait for delivery in a few days". "Carefully unstrap", "untangle", "securely strap to friends head".

It's fine for anyone to come up with rationale to not want to buy this thing. And far be it from me to try to convince anyone... but that mind's obviously made up already- like yours- and all on vapor, having not even had a look at it in person yet. I'm confident demoing for a friend will not be nearly as onerous as that poster made it out to be. His description makes it sound like quite a challenge to simply take the thing off.

 

[spinedoc77]

And becasue you don't see any value that would justify messing up your hair, you won't buy it. We get it. But people make different choices. Some will not be a bothered by this as you are. The world is a big place. Billions of people. With different value systems, needs and wants. That you won't do it is exactly the "anecdote" your'e trying to pin on me.

I think you are taking this as a blanket statement that the VP will fail, it really isn't. We can see the low uptake of today's VR headsets, and you can do a lot of these headsets (AR, virtual screens, virtual desktops, virtual remote meetings, games, etc) on headsets of 5+ years ago that the VP will purportedly do. It's not really talked about much, but personally I feel that a large part of VR not being adopted well is exactly because of comfort. Having a heavy, hot, sweaty appliance strapped to the back, front, and top of your head for a few hours just isn't most consumers cup of tea. Oh it will sell, you have the Apple faithful, the early adopters, specialized industrial, health, etc. But will it be the next "hit?" As an Apple shareholder I hope and pray I'm wrong as Apple's stock seems to be a bit fluid this week.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Ummm his example was so extreme that that seemed the best reply. In his example both he and his friend have different prescriptions and to demo on demand, he's going to have to order his friends prescription lenses anyway. "Carefully unstrap", "untangle", "securely strap to friends head".

It's fine for anyone to come up with rationale to not want to buy this thing. And far be it from me to try to convince anyone... but that mind's obviously made up already- like yours- and all on vapor, having not even had a look at it in person yet.

The solution you propose (jump in the car and drive to an Apple Store) is easy to file under “patently absurd.” Yet, to all outward appearances, this is exactly what Apple expects you to do. The device is custom tuned to each buyer. They don’t want you to share it.

 

[G5isAlive]

Those are recreational things. Using this in a business setting will be different.

My wife is an attorney and needs to look extremely sharp in the courthouse/courtroom. She isn't going to redo her hair/makeup constantly just to use a computer, and she has shorter hair than I do. Judges get annoyed if you aren't dressed properly even on Zoom hearings...men too.

So your wife wont buy one. Whats your point? That no one will buy one (I know that isnt it)? Again, no one is arguing the AVP as it is now will address all users needs all the time. Most people will have valid reasons for not wanting one. Including your wife. And you with your mixed environment.

Some people will be willing/able to mess up their hair and potentially their makeup. Some won't.

In other news, some people will buy Macs, some will buy windows.

Choice is great.

 

[spinedoc77]

Also what you can't do: play VR any existing game.

Not sure why this is so overlooked. A VR headset that can't play any games. Oh sure, Apple will have many app store games, a few titles it pays to be exclusive, and an occasional top tier Capcom type company title. But it's not going to have the same breadth and depth of games that other VR headsets enjoy. From what I understand they aren't even universal, so you can't even hook up a game console to them and simply have a huge virtual screen for gaming.

 

[Surf Monkey]

So your wife wont buy one. Whats your point? That no one will buy one (I know that isnt it)? Again, no one is arguing the AVP as it is now will address all users needs all the time. Most people will have valid reasons for not wanting one. Including your wife. And you with your mixed environment.

Some people will be willing/able to mess up their hair and potentially their makeup. Some won't.

In other news, some people will buy Macs, some will buy windows.

Choice is great.

Pretty casual brush off. But the point is absolutely valid. This is one of several significant hurdles to adoption. Of course gamers won’t care. But Apple isn’t after gamers. They’re after your mom. Look at the promo videos. They’re not targeting this at kids and gamers.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

"it won't be possible to extend your Mac's screen or recreate a multiple monitor Mac setup in the mixed reality workspace." what a pice of crap... I can buy 2 certified refurbished 5k apple studio displays a Mac mini pro for the same price... my desk will look nicer, that setup will contribute more to my productivity and I will not look like an idiot who doesn't want to interact with anybody! 🤣

OK, now replicate that solution on the move, on the plane, in the train, etc. If it's not necessary for you, then certainly put your money to better use. Other people may have different situations where having screens they can summon up anywhere could help them.

 

[spinedoc77]

Of course, but these posts are focused on this particular use by the original article.

At least this is a real use people can imagine and generally appreciate. Asking some to "think different" into truly original VR/AR usage seems to be a leap too far for many. Cumulatively, our imaginations seem limited to what people have seen from products like Quest. In fact, so many seem to think this product simply must be about games. A part of the rampant pessimism is why pay $3500 for an Apple Quest when the other one can be had for a third of the price.

Once it's out and people get to see the breadth of what it can do... and whatever probably amazing apps third party developers have already cooked up... much of the sentiment will clarify from over-optimism or over-pessimism because all are imagining vapor to whatever it is actually able to do in the reality of the thing being accessible, demo-able, purchase-able and objectively reviewed.

Until then, it's just more of the same: people imagining the best or worst and stacking up the rationalizations of why they are interested or not interested in it.

I don't know, VR has been around for a long time, I'm still not seeing any killer apps. I appreciate how advanced the VP is, but at the end of the day it's still just a VR/AR headset, and just because they are putting out a dev kit doesn't mean somebody is going to come up with something earth shattering tomorrow. Personally I believe the killer app would have been all day use, something which could come close to REPLACING your computer, or your phone, or your tablet, or all 3 such as glasses. That ain't this.

 

[subjonas]

Apple has a vested interest in making the Vision Pro a companion for a Mac via virtual display as a selling point, but not so much of a vested interest in making that feature so useful that it cannibalizes the native software market. Ultimately Apple is going to want developers to port their apps to the VP to run natively (where you can arrange the apps in virtual space all over). They want this both because it would provide a better experience than basically running a screen cast, and (perhaps more importantly to Apple) because they want those apps to be sold via the visionOS App Store for that sweet, sweet app store revenue share. Put another way, Apple has little incentive to solve for multiple virtual displays since it can be used as a crutch by both users and developers to allow those pesky side-loaded macOS apps to run on the VP.

But the counter argument to that is some heavier duty apps and complex workflows can’t run on VP due to the nature of the VP’s size and OS. So the limitation of Mac integration will keep a number of Mac users from buying the VP. How that number stacks up against whatever Apple would make through the Vision app sales that it otherwise wouldn’t have gotten, who knows.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

Trying to make it personal is a mistake on your part.

My posts are on the board for anyone to read. I was correct in regard to multiple MAC monitors. None of you will ever admit it at this point since you’ve spent so much capital trashing me for pointing out a simple FACT. So it goes in Mac fandom world.

I just did a search on forums for "Infinite Screens" and "infinite monitors" and besides you, I only found one post, which read:

Let’s go! Can’t wait to get this. A revolutionary mind blowing new platform. I’m wondering the first corporations that will start handing out to employees. Infinite screens(monitors) just might help with productivity( ya think?)

...and it's not clear to me that that one post is referring to "mac" screens.

You've said there are "dozens" making this claim, which you've had to refute, and for which people have given you grief. I can't find evidence of that.

 

[G5isAlive]

The solution you propose (jump in the car and drive to an Apple Store) is easy to file under “patently absurd.” Yet, to all outward appearances, this is exactly what Apple expects you to do. The device is custom tuned to each buyer. They don’t want you to share it.

You like that phrase 'patently absurd' but I dont think it means what you think it does. Sure the device is customer tuned for the absolutely best experience, but Apple has clearly already demoed it (so that's feasible) and have announced plans to demo it on Feb 2, so its patently obvious people can and will jump in the car and drive to the Apple Store for a demo.

I don't need to have the perfect fit, or have the perfect focus, for me to get an idea of what its like to wear it, to learn if thats going to bother me or not. And even out of focus, I will be able to get an idea of the interface and its eye tracking ability. And even half blind I can still snap my fingers for gestures. I don't have to have it custom tuned to answer a lot of questions. I might decide then and there, not for me. Or, I might say 'do you have any in stock, and if not, when can I expect to get one?'

And suppose I did decide after the not tuned to me demo that it was worth trying out custom tuned.... and take it home. And then after a week of testing it myself all custom tuned at all, I decide, nope, not for me. No big deal. I return it.

I suppose you could say I could save my time and effort by just agreeing with the nay sayers that havent even tried it yet.

But no, I think I will find out for myself. Thanks! Patently logical to me.

 

[Surf Monkey]

I just did a search on forums for "Infinite Screens" and "infinite monitors" and besides you, I only found one post, which read:

...and it's not clear to me that that one post is referring to "mac" screens.

You've said there are "dozens" making this claim, which you've had to refute, and for which people have given you grief. I can't find evidence of that.

Gaslighting isn’t going to work. People have framed it many times “as many monitors as I want!” And “monitors of any size!” Etc. Your claim that no one said it is silly nonsense. The argument has been made to me over and over and over again in many threads.

 

[spinedoc77]

You're missing the point. Or manufacturing a false equivalency. In your mind, there's zero benefit to using the AVP. So, combined with zero benefit, of course nobody will want to mess up their hair.

But for anyone who does see a benefit to using the AVP, they'll have a different calculation.

Which is obvious; but here in MacRumors, we apparently have to remind people that your wants and needs are not universal.

I wore a helmet for 12 hours because the discomfort did not outweight the benefit. To me. You are a different person, with different wants and needs.

Uh no, I never said there was zero benefit. I also never said nobody wanted to mess up their hair. You are either changing what I said, or just not understanding it.

 

[subjonas]

Clamshell won't work with Airplay in Clamshell mode. Clamshell only works when an external monitor is physically connected. For example, I can Airplay to my home theater, but can't use clamshell. Or, I can connect my mac to my home theater with hdmi and I CAN use clamshell mode.

Doesn’t something like LunaDisplay enable clamshell mode when used with iPad? Maybe it could somehow also work for VP.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

Hence why I said in business settings.. I didn't say professional.

Like it or not, many businesses have dress codes, and they expect your hair to be tidy.

I don't have to "like it or not." You're arguing against straw men arguments for the AVP.

I'm sure "in business settings" the iPad isn't very popular. But none of this means anything.

In a business setting, many require me to wear a tie. Which I hate. Which is in large part why I've been self employed my entire career.

 

[Surf Monkey]

You like that phrase 'patently absurd' but I dont think it means what you think it does. Sure the device is customer tuned for the absolutely best experience, but Apple has clearly already demoed it (so that's feasible) and have announced plans to demo it on Feb 2, so its patently obvious people can and will jump in the car and drive to the Apple Store for a demo.

I don't need to have the perfect fit, or have the perfect focus, for me to get an idea of what its like to wear it, to learn if thats going to bother me or not. And even out of focus, I will be able to get an idea of the interface and its eye tracking ability. I don't have to have it custom tuned to answer a lot of questions. I might decide then and there, not for me. Or, I might say 'do you have any in stock, and if not, when can I expect to get one?'

And suppose I did decide after the not tuned to me demo that it was worth trying out custom tuned.... and take it home. And then after a week of testing it myself all custom tuned at all, I decide, nope, not for me. No big deal. I return it.

I suppose you could say I could save my time and effort by just agreeing with the nay sayers that havent even tried it yet.

But no, I think I will find out for myself. Thanks! Patently logical to me.

Excellent rationalizations. None of them rebut me. Telling your friends that they can’t try your Vision Pro without getting in a car and driving to an Apple Store is silly nonsense. The fact that you offered it as a legitimate rebuttal is hilarious. But not as hilarious as you doubling down on it now.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

Doesn’t something like LunaDisplay enable clamshell mode when used with iPad? Maybe it could somehow also work for VP.

Maybe; I don't doubt there will be many alternate solutions created. I've never used LunaDisplay.

 

[G5isAlive]

Sure point taken, no argument there. I'm not sure that I'd personally bet that most consumers will be ok with being uncomfortable, especially seeing the low uptake of VR in general, but I'll admit I'm not a $3 trillion company. I'm sure Google has pissed much more away in throwing stuff to the wall to see what sticks.

Oh, couldn't agree with you more. Most consumers wont want the AVP at all. For a lot of reasons (can't comment on comfort until trying it on).

But so? What is wrong with the AVP in its current incarnation being the beginning of something new that will work for only some, not the end all and be all for everyone. That's what I don't get. We know it's not going the AVP is not going to sell millions. We know it's not for everyone. What are we arguing about?