A First Glance
The latest technological marvel from Apple, the Apple Vision Pro, promises a groundbreaking experience in the world of augmented and virtual reality. But is this high-tech headset truly worth the money, or is it simply an expensive gimmick?
A first look at the Apple Vision Pro reveals an impressive device, albeit one that requires significant setup effort. The utility of this effort remains questionable at first, especially since it's challenging to try out parts of the headset before purchasing. Additionally, the fact that individuals who wear glasses cannot use the device is also an important aspect to consider.
Outstanding Technology
One highlight of the Apple Vision Pro is undoubtedly its image quality. Even upon close inspection, no pixels are discernible, ensuring an immersive experience. Control is intuitive, done through gestures like thumbs-up or pointing, although the absence of a dedicated controller should be noted. The headset's sound is top-notch; however, this comes with a hefty weight that may not suit everyone.
Software
As for the software offering, it's still relatively limited at present, mainly consisting of demos and apps displayed in 2D. However, this could change over time as more developers optimize their applications for the Apple Vision Pro.
Theft Protection
Another important aspect is the absence of an integrated theft protection tracking system. Users must therefore take care not to lose the device or attach an AirTag to it for easier retrieval in case of loss.
Repairability
In terms of repairability, the Apple Vision Pro has been disassembled, revealing that the display consists of multiple layers, complicating repairs. However, common wear components such as batteries and speakers are easily accessible.
Current Acceptance
Tim Cook speaks of a groundbreaking new product category, yet it appears he overlooks the fact that he himself looks as though someone has simply left him stranded on the ski slope.
The Google Glass is no longer being sold, and it seems unlikely that Microsoft will release a successor to the HoloLens AR glasses.
It remains to be seen whether Apple will be able to successfully establish and improve upon such a product in the market.
Conclusion
All in all, the Apple Vision Pro offers impressive technology, albeit with some limitations and a high price tag. Whether it will ultimately prove to be a game-changer in the world of augmented reality remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: it's a step towards the future of digital immersion.
Sources
- Heise – Apple Vision Pro im ersten Test: Ein technisches Wunderwerk auf Sinnsuche
- Heise – Vision Pro kommt ohne ‚Wo ist‘ Tracking: AirTag hilft
- Heise – Erfahrungsbericht: So bringt Apple die Vision Pro an die Kunden
- Heise – Apple Vision Pro auseinandergenommen: So steht es um die Reparierbarkeit
- Heise – Tim Cook sieht Vision Pro als so bedeutend wie Mac oder iPhone an
- FAZ – Apples Suche nach dem nächsten Wachstumspfad
- FAZ – Datenbrillen haben es schwer
- FAZ – America first
Update February 15, 2024
- Heise – Vision Pro: Reparierbarkeit durchwachsen
- golem.de – Vision OS 1.1 verbessert Vision-Pro-Personas
- Heise – Vision Pro: Bis zur „idealen Form“ könnte es vier Generationen dauern
Updates 29. Februar 2024
Data protection and processing of personal information
With the increasing number of sensors and cameras, the question of privacy protection is becoming more and more pressing.
It is reassuring to know that data is preferably processed locally and not uploaded to the cloud. Additionally, explicit consent is obtained from users before data is used.
Moreover, an automatic deletion of personal data occurs as soon as it is no longer needed.
Update 8. April 2024
The Apple Vision Pro (AVP) offers new possibilities for writing texts through augmented reality but requires adjustments to familiar workflows.
The integration of standard and third-party apps, especially for word processing and Markdown, is successful, even though some familiar tools are missing and must be replaced with alternatives.
Entering text via a virtual keyboard is unfamiliar, yet physical keyboards and trackpads offer a good alternative. The ability to virtually adjust the workspace and work from various locations increases comfort and concentration. However, the question of efficiency compared to traditional writing on a MacBook Pro remains.
The experience with the AVP is predominantly positive, with room for improvement in design, camera quality, and battery life. The AVP opens up interesting new perspectives for tech-savvy writers and could, in combination with traditional work methods, offer the optimal workflow.
