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

[arkitect]

You are easily amazed and being contributor here gives you the right to be rude to people. Not cool at all.

I think some people are getting a little tense as the D-Day approaches. (On both sides of the fence)

Many seem to have taken the success or failure of the AVP to heart in a very personal way.

So let's watch and see what happens.

At some point we'll get a 2.0 of this that will make their launch unit look like the first Macintosh computer.

I don't think it will be 2.0 but more around 4.0…

Hopefully this will accelerate the development of technologies needed to deliver on Apple (and our) vision of what this should be.
Unfortunately Apple has little control over the development of individual components.

 

[jimbobb24]

It only can solve this if your watch movies by yourself.

I almost only watch movies/tv/streaming with my wife, and often others.

I only watch movies while riding an exercise bike. I cannot image how bad that would be with Vision Pro on my face. Yikes. But the solo nature of the experience is a downer.

 

[arkitect]

I only watch movies while riding an exercise bike. I cannot image how bad that would be with Vision Pro on my face. Yikes. But the solo nature of the experience is a downer.

I would agree.

I exercise with my in ear buds… I cannot exercise with my over ear headphones. It is just a sweaty mess.

So the AVP strapped to my forehead while vigorously working out just is not something I could possibly envisage.

 

[laptech]

Rather than Apple deciding the direction of what the VP will be used for, I think Apple are going to be looking at VP owners to decide which direction the VP get's pushed towards, gaming, desktop work, just used for entertainment, remote working (used on flights and in hotel rooms) or something else.

 

[vgmrm]

Sybill Trelawney will be delighted to be the female antecessor...

 

[H2SO4]

A larger screen is not portable and battery driven.

Are you sure. I mean larger than what?

 

[jimbobb24]

Considering that this tapping fingers together thing works only intermittently with my AW U 2, and that is strapped to my wrist so can easily register those little muscle/tendon movements, I think this doing it in the air is hugely ambitious.

Its may be hugely ambitious but everyone who had tried it said that it worked just as described. At first they would make exaggerated movements but overtime they would relax and realize only subtle movements were necessary and detected as expected. But...we will all know more in a few weeks.

 

[developer13245]

When the iPhone (+App Store) was released developers created many stand alone apps that only exploited the device capability. Some of these apps were successful because they were "firsts". But over time Apple's App Store pricing policies killed the viability of these types of apps. For example Apple has never allowed paid upgrades which was a revenue model in the software industry since its beginning. Games are the only exception to this type of app, but that is mainly because games can use In-App purchases to generate revenue.
So the iPhone has mainly become a platform to just "present" some other connected service like order a pizza or ride share service.
Apple Vision definitely has a huge amount of technical capability that could be exploited to create amazing apps that "no one has thought of yet". But without the freedom to sell such apps in a way that generates revenue very few if any new groundbreaking apps will be created. Apple Vision will not be successful unless developers can actually sell software for it and make a profit.

 

[jimbobb24]

I was hoping Vision Pro would be a stand alone computing device and not an accessory to a Mac--you can't even have a virtual dual monitor? That might not be right. I realize some functions are stand alone and if that's the case I'd also expect a strong gaming competitor to the Quest but I'm not hearing that's the case.

Basically, if I'm gonna pay that much money this has to be an everything device and it doesn't sound like it.

I'm still excited to see it and I might even preorder to lock in a device while I confirm from reviewers what it can *actually* do. It's a little annoying Apple isn't more forthcoming with information about capability.

For now I would think that it can do everything an iPad can do with all the iPad apps. Not much more, and not less. If its successful more apps will appear later that allow new developments.

 

[mike2q]

So you think there is no advantage to having it be more open? Say to standard video inputs or more than one user?

Seems like unnecessary restrictions.

You hit the nail on its head. Apple makes money these days by implementing unnecessary restrictions to create a feeling of exclusively. The VP is a product that needs all the users it can get. Limiting it is a huge mistake.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

I was hoping Vision Pro would be a stand alone computing device and not an accessory to a Mac.

It is a stand-alone computing device, running IOS apps. No mac needed. And you can run multiple apps in their own windows. Virtual displays.

 

[iLloyd]

When Apple first unveiled its next-generation Vision Pro headset at WWDC 2023, the company shared promotional videos that briefly teased the potential applications of using the $3,499 spatial computing device in conjunction with a Mac.

Despite Apple's announcement that Vision Pro will launch on February 2, Apple has yet to expand on the specifics of how the two devices work together. But sift through code and marketing materials, and there are subtle indications about what is possible - and what the limitations are likely to be. Here's what we know.

Mac and Vision Pro: What You Can Do
Create a Virtual Desktop
When it comes to the Mac, the keystone feature of Apple Vision Pro is something called Mac Virtual Display. The system uses AirPlay 2, and allows you to connect your Mac wirelessly to the headset just by looking at your computer through your Vision Pro. According to Apple, this allows you to place and resize a virtual representation of your Mac's display anywhere in space, and "use Vision Pro as an enormous, private, portable 4K display, ideal for pro workflows."

Use visionOS Apps Alongside Your Mac
With Mac Virtual Display enabled, you will be able to able use visionOS apps right alongside your virtual Mac screen. This will allow you to, for example, work on a Final Cut Pro project on an enormous Mac display while also viewing and interacting with separate screens displaying visionOS apps like Photos, Notes, Files, and so on.

Mirror Vision Pro to Mac
Apple Vision Pro supports screen mirroring via AirPlay or FaceTime, according to code found in early beta releases of visionOS, the headset's unique operating system. When wearing Vision Pro, you will be able to select a Mac to mirror content to from the headset, allowing you to share your view with others and reduce any sense of isolation.

Connect Mac Accessories
Vision Pro includes a virtual keyboard for spatial computing sessions, but you can also wirelessly connect Mac accessories to the Vision Pro, including the Magic Keyboard and the Magic Trackpad for more traditional tactile input. Attaching Bluetooth accessories allows for a typical Mac workflow to continue to be used, just with the Mac display replaced by Vision Pro.

Mac and Vision Pro: What You (Likely) Can't Do
Arrange Mac Apps in Virtual Space
Prior to Apple's official unveiling of Vision Pro, many Mac users envisioned an ideal multitasking scenario where it would be possible to break out Mac apps individually in a mixed reality workspace and switch attention between them at a glance. Based on the information available, however, it is not possible to view individual Mac apps in virtual windows alongside one another in Vision Pro's spatial computing environment.

Create Multiple Virtual Displays
Another likely limitation of the first-generation Vision Pro is that it only supports mirroring your Mac's built-in display. In other words, it won't be possible to extend your Mac's screen or recreate a multiple monitor Mac setup in the mixed reality workspace. This could be due to bandwidth limitations (Mac Virtual Display outputs in 4K). On that basis, multiple Mac displays in Vision Pro's spatial computing environment may be something supported in a future version, but don't expect such functionality out of the box.

Connect an Intel Mac
This should probably go without saying, but older Macs based on Intel architecture won't come along for the ride into the spatial computing future. Though Apple hasn't come out and said it officially, only Apple silicon Macs are likely to have the processing horsepower to communicate with Vision Pro, which itself relies on Apple's M2 processor to do the heavy lifting.

Apple Vision Pro and the Future of Mac
As the above suggests, there are still some unknowns about Mac and Vision Pro interoperability. Bearing that in mind, are you optimistic about the future of Mac in the era of spatial computing? What, if anything, disappoints you about Vision Pro support for the Mac? Let us know in the comments.

Apple Vision Pro pre-orders open on Friday, January 19 at 5.00 a.m. PST, and the device goes on sale in the U.S. on Friday, February 2, with availability in Canada and the United Kingdom expected to follow later in the year.

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

It's been said that in times of easy money (ultra-low interest rates) the stupidest projects get funded. This will be nothing more than an ultra niche product and I doubt it will be around five years from now. Apple should focus on real time translation. They have the hardware (iPhone, Ear Pods) and the AI capacity to pull this off. With an almost limitless potential market, this should be their highest priority.

 

[G5isAlive]

Reading through this thread I see a number of references to the VP potentially being used on flights and in hotel rooms for those who are always on the move but what I am confused about is that for many years people who are moving all over the place have complained about having to take too much tech with them, chargers, extra batteries, usb dongles, external hard drives, other dongles etc etc and thus they want a computer that has all the ports on it they would need and a battery life that can last for at least a whole day without having to run around looking for a socket to plug their charger into.

Therefore, are these people going to be prepared to lug around a vison pro with them? considering they want to be a minimal as possible when it comes to lugging around lot's of tech.

When the M1 was announced, a thread popped up where many members complained that it did not have enough ports on it for their needs and thus they would be staying with their intel macbook for the time being because they did not want to have to lug around more tech stuff in their bag. Are people going to want to lug around a Vision Pro? when you consider they did not want to lug around usb dongles and stuff.

So all people who travel are the same? is that your point? They aren't. Some will want to travel with this, some won't.

You seem to be suggesting that just because some drivers say a hatchback is too small for them, they need a truck, that no one wants to buy a hatchback. Nope.

Not to mention your argument is based on people that like to complain about dongles. havent you noticed some people just like to complain? They have their pet peeve and everyone else is wrong.

Me, I consider myself a light traveler, but not to the point I am washing my underwear in the sink. I have a small case that carries a variety of dongles, cables for USB A, USB C, USB Micro, lightening, HDMI even if I dont think I will need most or any of it. Why? Because things happen. Someone hands you a thumb drive, or maybe they forgot to bring a charge card, or all of a sudden you find yourself wanting to hack your hotel tv and watch a movie off your iPad. My little case weight very little, and takes little space, but it's the Swiss Army knife of connectors and it has come in handy a lot of times. And I never ever use it except when traveling, so its always ready, no thought on my part.

Not to mention many people do an effort/reward calculation. To some organizing which dongle for which trip might be hard. For me, like I said, already done. To some packing an extra 2 pounds for essentially a large monitor on the go might be too much. Heck we had a guy here say he only needed a 12 inch screen while at work. mind boggling to me. Give me a big screen anytime. I will gladly carry what is essentially the weight of a large cup of soda to have a large screen monitor.

So yeah you look around and a lot of people are saying they look forward to travel with the AVP, yet you say are these the same people that complain about dongles? No they are not.

I look around and see a lot of people saying the AVP has no value. What they mean is it has no value to them.

It has value to some of us. Even some of us with dongles.

 

[Star Brood]

if a company can get a full computer into something like this, just for allowing a portable computer/headset for a super-advanced display, I can see it taking off eventually. I would love to use a device that lets me see more windows at a glance than any monitor could hope to do as well.

 

[arkitect]

It's been said that in times of easy money (ultra-low interest rates) the stupidest projects get funded. This will be nothing more than an ultra niche product and I doubt it will be around five years from now. Apple should focus on real time translation. They have the hardware (iPhone, Ear Pods) and the AI capacity to pull this off. With an almost limitless potential market, this should be their highest priority.

I wish they would… except Google really does have a huge advantage here already.

I suspect it will be a bit like Apple Maps catching up to Google Maps. No matter how hard they try they are always just behind.

 

[Verified Whiskey]

Oh boy, some of the folk here on MacRumours are going to be mad or be walking back (is that the phrase?) their enthusiastic predictions. (Yes, you all know who you are…)

How often have we been told with absolute certainty by the proponents of Apple Vision Pro that we're going to be able to have our Macs connected to:
"Multiple displays!
Huuuuuuuuuge displays!
As many as you want!
An infinity of displays!
Apple take my cash right now!"

Hmmmmm.

As long as you feel comfortable walking back this comment when the Vision Pro is a resounding success. Against the naysayers like…
iPhone
iPad
Apple Watch

 

[citysnaps]

Kinda defeats the point of Vision Pro tbh if all it does is AirPlay your Mac Screen... There could have been more potential tbh...

Seriously? You really believe that's what AVP is all about?

That ability came along for the ride, and is not what AVP (and AR/VR) is about. There's so much more.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

if a company can get a full computer into something like this, just for allowing a portable computer/headset for a super-advanced display, I can see it taking off eventually.

The AVP is a full computer.

 

[arkitect]

As long as you feel comfortable walking back this comment when the Vision Pro is a resounding success.

Please feel free to come back here and ask me to eat crow/eat my hat when/if the APV is the success you hope it is.

I'll wait… Been here since 2005, but time is running out at my age. So you and Apple had better get going tout de suite.
Message me if you don't see me online — just to make sure I'm still alive. 👍

But may I return the favour if things go slightly pear shaped?

Against the naysayers like…
iPhone
iPad
Apple Watch

Oh no… not that again.
Not the same at all.

 

[Pezimak]

Past 3D TVs never offered a truly immersive experience, or could be used in true AR/VR applications. That's a huge difference.

Past 3D TVs could not be used as AR or VR? Isn’t that obvious? Did you see anyone with a 50” 3D TV strapped to their head? 3D TVs were never built sold as or designed to offer an AR or VR experience? No film does either really, and I doubt many films moving forward will either as 3D headsets have been in sale for years and no one’s made a film for them, and Apple selling one for 3500 to the US market only isn’t going to change that anytime soon.

I guess we shall have to await and see how much people watch films on it in windows in their field of view. Will it be a novelty that wears off or not.

 

[G5isAlive]

People keep talking about using this in public. Do you really think this will become the norm or "socially accepted" as in not being made fun of (like AirPods in the beginning). I am only asking this because I have literally never ever seen anyone use / wear a Meta Quest helmet in public such as on a plane or anything like that. I wonder if there are any regulations on when / when not to use it like is it actually allowed on planes for example? I dont want some doofus spilling their drink or food on me because they are "in their own world".

edit: and another thought, isnt the movement of the train / elevation of the plane whatever going to mess up the view and everything becomes shaky or simply not functional? I guess my question is, how productive can you really be with it unless you are being stationary in a room

you mean like the doofus who spill something on you because he is on his phone? or wearing over the ears headphones? or reading a kindle? any of those doofus's? Or god forbid, the doofuses that wear eye masks on their faces!!! or have those huge absurd pillows wrapped around their necks.

And why would there be regulations on their use in a plane? They aren't that big. People wear Sleep masks all the time. All the airlines care is you pay attention during the safety training part.

as for vibration, the rubber fitting fitting, your neck, are all shock absorbers. Do you have problem reading on a plane?

People keep on looking for problems. I look forward to when they get into the wild and some real info comes in.

My prediction. Wearing them on the plane wont be an issue.

 

[spinedoc77]

How is this a "big gripe?" It's as cross-compatible as an iPad. Has that ever been in question? Now you're just making things up to add more and more negative posts about the AVP.

That's a pretty big gripe to me, although totally expected from Apple. If something like this isn't going to interface with a Windows PC, or Linux, or a Nintendo Switch, or fill in the blank, that may definitely be part of someone's purchasing decision. If you are all in on Apple's walled garden then you are good to go, but many of us are not and have to live in multiple worlds.

 

[laptech]

So all people who travel are the same? is that your point? They aren't. Some will want to travel with this, some won't.

You seem to be suggesting that just because some drivers say a hatchback is too small for them, they need a truck, that no one wants to buy a hatchback. Nope.

Not to mention your argument is based on people that like to complain about dongles. havent you noticed some people just like to complain? They have their pet peeve and everyone else is wrong.

Me, I consider myself a light traveler, but not to the point I am washing my underwear in the sink. I have a small case that carries a variety of dongles, cables for USB A, USB C, USB Micro, lightening, HDMI even if I dont think I will need most or any of it. Why? Because things happen. Someone hands you a thumb drive, or maybe they forgot to bring a charge card, or all of a sudden you find yourself wanting to hack your hotel tv and watch a movie off your iPad. My little case weight very little, and takes little space, but it's the Swiss Army knife of connectors and it has come in handy a lot of times. And I never ever use it except when traveling, so its always ready, no thought on my part.

Not to mention many people do an effort/reward calculation. To some organizing which dongle for which trip might be hard. For me, like I said, already done. To some packing an extra 2 pounds for essentially a large monitor on the go might be too much. Heck we had a guy here say he only needed a 12 inch screen while at work. mind boggling to me. Give me a big screen anytime. I will gladly carry what is essentially the weight of a large cup of soda to have a large screen monitor.

So yeah you look around and a lot of people are saying they look forward to travel with the AVP, yet you say are these the same people that complain about dongles? No they are not.

I look around and see a lot of people saying the AVP has no value. What they mean is it has no value to them.

It has value to some of us. Even some of us with dongles.

Oh for goodness sake, give it a rest will you. Just because I am not writing a university English language paper on grammar and such does not mean my post means 'everyone' or 'all'. You know exactly what I am trying to say in my post so do not pretend to say otherwise.

If you are the type of person that does not mind lugging around extra tech in their bag then good for you but there are threads on here from members that care to differ. Therefore carrying around a VP in their bag WILL matter to many of those who travel a lot.

 

[Pezimak]

The AVP is a full computer.

Well, not quite, because it’s running iOS and I’m sure MANY of us who have iPhone and iPads will state they cannot do everything a computer (Mac) can. The hardware is there, the software isn’t if it’s like an iPad or iPhone. Missed opportunity really.

 

[G5isAlive]

Well, there goes my plan of having several Chrome windows open so I could watch multiple cat videos at once. Imagine a whole wall of multiple cat videos! I guess I'll have to wait a little longer for that glorious future. 😩

I realize your are trying to be funny, but fear not, you can get chrome on the iPad, so it will work with the AVP natively, no Mac required. So with a Mac, you can have multiple cat windows at once.