Your questions about Apple Vision Pro – Answered

There is a lot of hype, of course, about the Apple Vision Pro which goes on sale this week in Australia.  The difference with Vision Pro when compared to other Apple products and new technology generally is that with such a high price you’re not likely to know as many people who have one, and at the same time getting a Demo at an Apple Store is likely to be difficult to fit into your schedule.

I encourage you to have a go, but – for now, I wanted to try to answer as many questions as possible about Vision Pro based on my experience with the device.

These questions come mainly from the EFTM Man Cave, a friendly and interactive Facebook Group where we can chat and ask questions that are more often than not answered by the group.

Nathan asks “Can you wear them and walk around at the same time?”

Put simply, yes.  The headset is powered by a small battery pack which I’ve found most commonly feels great in my side pocket, of a jacket or jeans.

And follows up with “Are these just a very updated version of google glass?”

Fair observation, but absolutely not. The idea of Google Glass was to wear them at all times.  These are not intended for use walking the streets, or anywhere in public frankly.  Anyone you see doing that is just a wanker trying to get attention.  Feel free to tell them that.

Damian says “What is the point of them?”

I think this is where we need to step back, take a whole wide view of this space.  Apple is putting a bet on “Spatial Computing” or “Augmented Reality” in frankly a similar way to Facebook’s embrace of the Metaverse.  One of those is misguided in my mind.  And it’s not Apple.

The point is to bring computing and apps and content or information into the world around you.  How you use that, it then up to you.

Perhaps more specifically he asks “Will they allow us to furnish rooms any better?”

This is certainly one possibility.  Because of the crazy amount of sensors and cameras Apple Vision Pro is able to map or “see” the room you’re in with detail no other device has.

Angus asks if there are any “Apps available that could justify the price tag”

If you’re a massive Fruit Ninja fan? Or spend a lot of time on TikTok.  Also if you have mates with Vision Pro and do a lot of FaceTime calls together, yes.  But honestly no, this is my consistent feedback, we’re now waiting for the killer apps.

Joshua asks “Does it work on people with colour blindness?”

I can’t speak directly to this, but I don’t see how it would be any different to how things are now.  Passthrough of the world around you is in the same colour of the real world, and the apps you see are generated like normal. If there are colour blind accessibility options on iPhone then I bet you they are on this too.

And not uncommonly also wonders “Does it make people motion sick?”

My best response to this so far is, not in any way as much as any other device I’ve tried.  I experienced no such issues, and DO get motion sick on VR.

Craig says “What is it like wearing it for an extended period of time?”

It’s under 650grams on the head.  And most of it is out front. So yeah, you feel it.  But, you really need to find the right head strap support – once you do that, it really becomes far more comfortable.  The light seal is a critical part of that though I think any more than 90 minutes would start to play on most people.

He seems keen in some way at the very least, saying “Looking at what I do for a living and a few other industries I am struggling to see a use case, but I certainly want to try one out!”

I recall Craig works in IT, so I see the excitement, I think that the multi-window stuff is great, I also think remote training is huge, look at how JigSpace is able to use hyper realistic 3D models to train remote workers or use it in a sales capacity.  Quite frankly right now there are far more corporate uses than personal I think.

Chris asks “how long you find it able to be worn and useful as a productivity tool Trev?”

I LOVED using it as a Virtual Display on my Mac.  Thing is, it’s the Multi-tasking that mattered most here.  I had my messages over there, my music over here, my email over there, and my main monitor here in the middle.  Basically, leaving my Mac to be just for “work” while all those common “apps” ran on Vision Pro.

Chris says he has a Meta Quest 3, which he says “does roughly the same minus multitasking, and slightly worse pass through cameras. It also pairs nicely with PCs as well for high end gaming (fun, btw). Not seen much content on the gamer front for the Vision Pro, but that probably isn’t the target anyway.”

Look, we’re going to get into Android v iPhone debates here with Meta Quest vs Vision Pro.  Quest is far more affordable, but is useless without controllers. Yep they have copied Apple’s finger controls, great, but not for all uses, and you’re doing one thing at a time.  Plus, Apple’s spatial mapping is far more advanced, and doesn’t restrict you to a “safe zone”.  It’s not Apples and Apples, but it’s also not Apple’s and Orange’s, feels like a debate that will rage for some time.

Brad has an interesting one, he says “I Have a young man the cerebral palsy, hoping to try and test one in the Apple Store soon, may be a game changer for him.”

This is interesting.  Look, I can’t speak to it with certainty, but, with EYE control, there is some hope.  It’s possible to use EYE control to not just highlight an app but select it, using “Dwell” control in the accessibility features.  Now, this means fine motor skills aren’t required to use and get the experience.  However, it may be a bridge too far, I really don’t know mate.

John wonders “Is all the view in High def?”

You see OLED displays with more than 4K resolution in each eye.  However, the real world around you is more like SD or at best 720p TV.  It’s certainly NOT like it LOOKS like the real world in front of you.  It’s a “passed through” version and you know it.

Apps though are in the most finite detail you can imagine – it’s remarkable.

Daniel is straight to the point, “I’d love to see your thoughts on “bang for buck” comparisons to the meta Quest 3.”

As above, I think we’re debating something that’s tough to judge head to head.  For value, I’d take Quest for this or that purpose.  If I was to back a horse to do this area well and long term, I’m all in on Apple.

On a technical front he asks “how close to real vision is the passthrough?”

As noted, not perfect.  Not really even close.  It’s good, great even, but very clearly not “real”

Howie wonders “does it give you a headache after a while. Like is there a maximum comfort time?”

I think for a lot of people 30-45 minutes, some will manage 60-90.  I don’t imagine too many churning through the 2 hour battery in one sitting.

Rob asks about their “Weight on the head”

Around 600 grams, but very much front and top heavy.  So a unique feeling.  I 100% suggest the over the top of head strap for support.

And asks “Are they suited to watch a movie? ie are they like being in the cinema or even bigger?”

This is a great example of the usage, to get a real huge screen for viewing.  But, I don’t think it’s going to be in the top three main uses of Vision Pro.

Additionally, “are Prescriptions ok in Australia yet?”

Yes.  Interestingly, My script is 0.5, and the Apple Vision Pro readers start at 0.75 so I don’t need the lenses!

Perhaps most simply, and directly Mat asks “What would you use it for. Do you think it would improve your workflow?”

I personally would use it for a time out from my normal workspace.  Catch up on archiving emails and Messages, maybe scroll some TikTok.  I think for now, that’s a great use case.  Expensive way to do it though:)