Apple's Vision Pro: A Technological Marvel with a Persistent Problem
It's a familiar story: a groundbreaking piece of tech arrives, promises the future, and yet, remains a rare sight in the real world. That's the paradox of Apple's Vision Pro headset. Despite significant upgrades, its biggest hurdle remains unsolved. Let's dive in.
More than a year after its Australian debut, spotting someone sporting a Vision Pro is still an uncommon occurrence. The reasons? The price tag is hefty, the advantages over competitors are subtle, and the ecosystem, while premium, hasn't exactly ignited a developer frenzy.
However, let's not dismiss this device. It's an incredible piece of tech that's constantly being refined. With the introduction of the M5 chip, the Vision Pro, alongside the iPad Pro and entry-level MacBook Pro, has received a boost in processing power and AI capabilities. So, let's revisit this device and see what's changed.
VisionOS 26: A Suite of Enhancements
Having not extensively used the Vision Pro since its launch, I was eager to see what improvements the software updates brought. The experience has indeed been significantly enhanced.
Upon putting on the headset, you're immediately immersed in your surroundings. But with a simple turn of the dial, you can seamlessly replace reality with a chosen environment, be it a serene mountainside lake or a Jovian moon. App windows and menus float in your space, and you interact by simply looking and tapping your fingers. The outward-facing EyeSight screen lets others know if you can see them, maintaining a sense of connection.
The most significant addition in VisionOS 26 (released in September) is spatial widgets. These function like phone widgets, but they're anchored to your walls, remaining in place even as you move around. Most widgets are designed to blend with the real world. A clock looks like a wall clock, photos appear as framed shots, and a favorite music album transforms into a concert poster. One of my favorites is the virtual window, where you can place a panorama photo from your library, making it seem like you're looking out onto a past holiday.
Another new software element is the ability to transform recent photos into Spatial Scenes, using AI to add depth and movement, creating an immersive experience as if you could step right into your memories. Some photos handle this better than others, but it's a fascinating step toward reliving memories, even if they're frozen in time for now.
The final software element is the much-improved Persona system. This allows you to scan your face, creating a CGI mask that others see during FaceTime calls within the headset. It mimics your expressions, even the subtle ones, making virtual meetings feel more natural. But here's where it gets controversial: it can also be a bit unsettling.
More Power, Same Problems
One of my initial gripes with the Vision Pro was the headband's lack of support, causing the headset's weight to press on the nose. This has been comprehensively addressed with a new version, including a counterweight and a second top loop.
But if you have the old Vision Pro, you can buy the new band separately. And you'll also get all the new features of VisionOS 26. So, what's actually better about the version with the M5?
The primary benefit is sharper, smoother visuals, now running at up to 120Hz. This makes simply looking around more comfortable, and even small text on a connected Mac display is crisp and readable. The M5 should also allow for better game performance than the M2, and the Vision Pro now supports Sony's VR controllers. But this leads to one of the biggest unresolved issues with Vision Pro: a lack of content.
While there are cool native apps, they're not something you'd use for extended periods. The App Store offers around 3,000 Vision Pro apps and games, plus millions more that function like floating iPads.
Consuming video content remains the best use case, but even the impressive spatial videos (including the new Metallica concert) offer only a weekend's worth of viewing at best. Most of the time, you're watching 2D content in your own virtual theater. If you don't need to manipulate 3D objects and have access to another screen, it can be tough to justify using the headset.
Compounding this, and arguably the bigger issue, is the $6,000 price tag. It may be a fair price for the hardware, but regardless of its impressive features, there's no clear use case that couldn't be better addressed with more affordable devices.
The Competition Arrives
Meta has been in the headset business for a while, and it shows. You could buy 12 of its latest Quest 3S headsets for the price of one Vision Pro. Apple excels in hardware and boasts Mac and App Store integration, but the Quest has an integrated battery, functional color pass-through, and a wealth of apps and games.
Microsoft's Mixed Reality Link for Windows 11 supports Meta's headsets, offering a similar virtual display experience to the Mac on Vision Pro.
Meanwhile, Samsung is launching a headset based on Google’s Android XR software, seemingly borrowing features from the Vision Pro but at half the price. The Vision Pro may have more computing power and a higher refresh rate, but the Galaxy XR appears to have equivalent resolution and tracking hardware, is lighter, leverages Google AI, and may benefit from a more open ecosystem.
The Verdict
If Apple can't attract developers to create software for its headset, chip upgrades alone won't be enough to ensure its success.
What are your thoughts? Do you think the Vision Pro's high price and limited content are deal-breakers? Or do you see a future where these issues are resolved, and the Vision Pro becomes a must-have gadget? Share your opinions in the comments below!
