and i was all excited thinking they would finally launch the powerbook g5...
Apple Vision Pro: Apple’s first spatial computer
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Re: Apple Vision Pro: Apple’s first spatial computer
#692Some quick thoughts:
- Focus is on entertainment, remote work, collaboration, and utility, but their partnership with Unity might mean that gaming is part of the long-term strategy. Gaming is a top use case for VR with Meta devices, so Apple is focusing on AR use cases first.
- Disney is aligned on Apple's AR vision with Disney, Marvel Studios, ESPN 3D content, and more available on launch. This will make more entertainment companies jump into AR/VR!
- Can create a digital persona ("avatar") and make a virtual version of you with face tracking. Interesting move that can affect companies focusing on avatar creation.
- No physical controller - you can use your eyes, hands, and voice. Really interesting approach, and leaves room for haptic companies to shine.
- Comes with an M2 chip and a new R1 chip. Not sure how the R1 (or M2+R1) compares to the leading XR chip, Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2.
- Spatial photos and videos are supported and can be created with the device. Can be competitive with Leia's Lume Pad 2.
- Your Mac screen expands automatically to the VisionPro, which can be competition for companies building "AR laptops" or remote collaboration apps.
- Price is $3499, definitely a "Pro" price, which probably means that a "non-Pro" version is in the works.
- visionOS is Apple's OS for spatial computing. Interesting move that can affect companies building an OS for XR.
- "Spatial Computing" is the notable messaging (vs. "Metaverse").
- Launching early next year. Let's go!
Re: Apple Vision Pro: Apple’s first spatial computer
#693All: there are over 2700 comments in this thread - to get to them all, you need to click More at the bottom of each page, or a link like this:
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36201593&p=2
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36201593&p=3
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36201593&p=4
There are also a bunch of other threads: https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=true&que....
Sorry that our server has been creaking today. Perf improvements are on the way (fingers crossed), but alas not today.
Re: Apple Vision Pro: Apple’s first spatial computer
#694It's unfortunate that apparently Apple won't include any controllers for this. Just with imprecise gesture controls VR gaming is out of the question. Which is a bummer, as the headset itself appears to be amazing and massive step forward in the tech.
Instead they decided to use it for ... floating virtual screens. An iPhone & iPad replacement.
Re: Apple Vision Pro: Apple’s first spatial computer
#695Expensive but with such an immersive experience can right off the bat replace a television and surround sound system. But potentially offers a lot more than this. Not bad for a 1st generation product.
My (and I suspect many others') main use case for a TV+surround sound system is social consumption of media. A TV I can't watch with my partner is useless, a speaker I can't use to keep a party going is useless. To me the relevant comparison here is a PC, and by that measure this is a very expensive PC with an improved screen experience. Whether that screen improvement is worth the $1K-1.5K more than a Macbook will depend on how thoroughly they've actually delivered on the AR experience.
Re: Apple Vision Pro: Apple’s first spatial computer
#696I just want a portable gaming console with apple-level quality that can run Steam games. The VR thing is not very practical in my experience.
Re: Apple Vision Pro: Apple’s first spatial computer
#697I am most intrigued by the use of the 6x Sony IMX418 which seems to be brilliant for daisy-chaining cameras over MIPI lines in such a small package even if the sensor is older. Anyone else have experience with these?
Re: Apple Vision Pro: Apple’s first spatial computer
#698The hardware is no doubt impressive, as expected, but I just can't see myself in any of the situations they keep showing in VR/AR demos. Does someone really sit on their couch, put on a massive headset, and scroll through their vacation photos? Does someone watch an entire 2+ hour movie with a sweaty headset strapped to them (and plugged into a socket) instead of on a couch with their family/friends? Would I want to…
At least one use case I could think of is work on the go. I work from home but I can work from anywhere in my country. But I really do not like working on a small laptop screen, and wish my two 27” displays were with me. If this thing provides at least reasonable substitute- I am game.
Re: Apple Vision Pro: Apple’s first spatial computer
#699I think one telling section of the presentation is the very speedy run-through of a few 3rd party apps for this platform. They all looked crappy, quick and superficial pseudo-3D versions of existing 2D apps. Which is a problem on all VR platforms: to deliver a truly engaging and convincing experience is extraordinarily hard and expensive.
Even Disney couldn't deliver (yet). They showed a lot of imaginary scenarios that are not implemented and concluded with: Disney+ will be available. Which is just a 2D streaming app like any app.
I'm not all negative. I think movie watching in this incredibly immersive way might be stunning. That would be a type of baseline "killer app" to fall back on. Assuming it works well, without it being tiring. There's the prospect of gaming, which is interesting as you pretty much use this device stationary.
Those two solo experiences hold promise if the tech is as good as is suggested.
I'm not sold on the productivity scenarios, because they aren't really re-imagined. If your work consists of zoom calls, messages and email, projecting those into the air doesn't really do much and slightly unsharp Excel still sucks.
There's the usual amusement of hypothetical scenarios that only happen in Apple's imagination where everybody is balls deep into every iOS device, is permanently connected and instantly available on a whim. You decide to "relive" memories by projecting photos on your TV (most people never do or just watch it on their phone) and then spontaneously drag in grandma to have a shared live experience.
That's not real world. Grandma is taking a nap, has none of these devices and wants you to come by and visit instead of fooling around with your toys.
Which is the point I'll end with. I'm very much technically impressed and will readily admit that from a philosophical angle, I hope it will fail. I genuinely believe that technology that isolates you even further and gives you even less reason to interact with actual reality is the last thing we need in an already touchless society where mental health problems are skyrocketing.
I do not want a world where dad has ski goggles to record the kids, the kids looking back at a digital version of his eyes. Dad should stop recording at all and just bloody engage.