Apple Vision Pro: Apple’s first spatial computer

I share some of your skepticism, but I do indeed watch movies in my VR headset (while running on my elliptical trainer).

I use the Meta Quest Pro right now, so it's not plugged into anything, but I would not be averse to plugging it into some phone-sized battery unit in my pocket or clipped to my belt or something.

And I definitely, desperately, do also want to do my software engineering job in VR (with many large displays or floating windows) and not my laptop. But the question is, will those of us who see this future coming and are waiting impatiently for it want to do it with this headset?

The Meta Quest Pro is pretty amazing in its own right (and pretty expensive, although not Apple expensive) but it nevertheless just isn't there yet.

It reminds me of using Linux for desktop computing in 1999. You can see it will be great one day, but it's definitely not great yet.

I feel like Apple could maybe build that if they wanted to... but do they?

In the video they show luxurious, spacious interiors. To my mind, the virtual space makes much more sense when your pysical space is cramped (plane, train, car, cubicle) but you need a large display, preferably in 3D.

3D footage and movies, which can be relatively easily downcast to 2D for flat screen consumption, may be another hit. Especially the footage you shoot yourself, pretty exclusive and likely more future-proof. Imagine an upcoming iPhone with a stereo camera (in landscape mode).

Also there are obvious traditional applications of AR / VR that become more useful with a retina-class display, such as medical, mechanical / repairs work, and, of course, military. I suspect the medical market can be pretty large, because serious medicine, like heart surgery, won't be strained by the price.

The cheapest android sells for $50, vs iPhone that starts at $900, yet it takes weeks to get an iPhone on launch. What's the point here. The thing has its own more than capable chip, knowing Apple has seamless integrations and will absolutely start a new trend. Can't wait for Google's and Samsung's substandard implementation soon, like what they did with the watch.

I feel this is an overly negative take on what they shipped. It's a platform. The platform seems to solve a lot of the problems of AR/VR (feeling of isolation, control of leaking outside world, better integration with your digital life, truly enhanced media - media that's more mainstream).

For those of us who have no use/space for a TV in their home, this is a SMASHING replacement. Imagine if you watch TV nightly but do so alone, this could bring a whole new meaning to "watch parties".

For those who don't have a desk and want to be able to stand and work on a kitchen bar, this is a great substitute for an office. I would love to have an office but some times you just can't. The idea that I could use my mac side by side with iOS features that matter to me is huge. I'm slightly disappointed that it's limited to one display, but still pretty nice.

I feel like the argument here is the same as the iPhone when it came out - it replaces a lot of low cost items with not 100% coverage but enough to be a compelling buy such that you can rid yourself of those other things.

If they make one that can stream 2 screens from my laptop and can be a standalone device for certain useful situations, it's a good buy for me.

Ultimately you have to try it to buy it because unlike an iPad, it sits on your face.

They did share that it can be used as a display for your mac. It sounded like you're limited to 1 screen (i'm guessing because of bandwidth limitations; also guessing that upgraded macbooks may have the necessary hardware to stream more pixels)