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When Daniel Lugasi, a portfolio manager at VL Capital Management in Orlando, FL, found himself immersed in a whirlwind of Apple advertisements and YouTube reviews showcasing the new Apple Vision Pro, he realized he needed to experience the device firsthand.
Although Lugasi initially visited the Apple online store on January 19, 2024, with the intention of pre-ordering the Apple Vision Pro, he was disappointed to discover that "almost immediately ship times stretched from the launch day on February 2, 2024, to well into March."
Fortunately, just three days before the unveiling of the Apple Vision Pro, he managed to place an online order for in-store pickup on the launch day. Upon reaching his local Apple store at The Florida Mall, the Vision Pro was rapidly selling out.
Upon returning home, Lugasi swiftly understood why: "I can confidently affirm that the Vision Pro is the most remarkable consumer technology device I have ever experienced," he remarked, emphasizing his years of following consumer technology companies both personally and professionally.
Apple Vision Pro Price
Burton Kelso, the chief tech expert at Integral, isn't surprised by the overwhelming demand for the gadget, despite its substantial starting price of $3,499. Kelso observes, "It seems anytime Apple releases a new product, there is a frenzy surrounding that product release." He points out that the Apple Vision Pro is no exception, especially since people have eagerly anticipated its debut for at least two years. "Also, the fact that Apple is seen as an innovator when it comes to new products, people always have their eyes focused on any release that Apple has," he adds.
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Neil Mandt, an AI expert based in Los Angeles, echoes a similar sentiment, stating, "Whenever there are shifts in technology, the underlying question is where does Apple stand?" He notes that other companies like Meta, Google, Lenovo, and Samsung have entered the VR/AR arenas with varying degrees of success. However, with Apple now joining the party, Mandt observes that the company's dedicated supporters are expressing their enthusiasm across the internet.
"If you spend any time on TikTok these days, you may very well have watched a video — or 800 — featuring the new Apple Vision Pro," he concludes.
@gregsgadgets Honestly, placing a food order in a floating window was helpful for my anxiety when ordering #applevisionpro ♬ original sound - GregsGadgets
Even though the device has become a social media sensation, you might be curious about the specifics of this high-tech gadget, its functionalities, and user feedback. Below, we'll provide you with all the information you need to know about the Apple Vision Pro.
What is the Apple Vision Pro?
Let's start with a brief overview of what the device entails. Neil Mandt, who personally owns an Apple Vision Pro and has been documenting his experience on social media, provides a breakdown: “Apple Vision Pro is a head-mounted display (HMD) that offers users the ability to experience both virtual reality and augmented reality content with one device,” he explains. Mandt notes that the awareness of virtual reality has become widespread globally since Mark Zuckerberg first announced the Oculus VR Goggles nearly a decade ago.
“Augmented reality, on the other hand, has remained somewhat elusive for the masses, but not for much longer. The most notable AR example is the first-down yellow line that appears on-screen during a televised football game,” he continues. Mandt further remarks that Tim Cook has emphasized on numerous occasions his belief that augmented reality will fundamentally alter the human experience.
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In simpler terms, as explained by Kelso, the Apple Vision Pro can be likened to a computer positioned on your head. He clarifies, “It operates on the visionOS, enabling users to access Apple apps independently, without the need for a physical iPhone, iPad, MacBook, or iMac, while also immersing themselves in the 'Appleverse,’” Kelso states. “To accomplish this, the Vision Pro is equipped with advanced 3D cameras and sensors that deliver an immersive virtual experience.”
What does the Apple Vision Pro do?
From the moment Lugasi activated his Apple Vision Pro, he was astounded.
“The first time you wear the device and witness the familiar Apple apps superimposed on the real world, it's extraordinary. A quick turn of the Digital Crown, and the real world disappears, instantly transporting you to Mount Hood or Joshua Tree,” he recalls. Lugasi adds that the ability to open numerous apps and manipulate windows using only your eyes and hands is genuinely magical. The portfolio manager was particularly impressed by its 3D video capabilities: “Watching a movie like ‘Avatar’ in 3D on Disney Plus, while seated in a virtual Disney movie theater, is truly remarkable,” says Lugasi. “You can easily envision how the future of entertainment will be transformed because of the Vision Pro.”
@joesdaily Watching Marvel movies is going hit different using @Disney+ Environments on the Apple Vision Pro. Look how cool these are! Im excited to see what other ones they add in the future. #apple #visinpro #ar #marvel ♬ original sound - JoesDaily
However, the Apple Vision Pro isn't limited to leisure activities – this revolutionary headset also "enables users to work in a virtual world with apps specifically designed for this device," notes Kelso, referring to the viral video of a man using his Apple Vision Pro on the New York City subway, presumably for work purposes.
@barstoolsports Apple Vison Pro on the subway @Barstool Gametime ♬ original sound - Barstool Sports
At present, as per Mandt, "the two most popular uses involve using the eyewear to mirror a computer screen or a series of screens in your space. These screens can be large or small and can be placed as augmented reality overlays anywhere in a room." Additionally, "another popular use case emerged where users watch a big-screen TV projection of a movie or series, with the screen size ranging as large as IMAX and featuring built-in surround sound," notes Mandt.
A third application gaining traction involves using the headset to play games on console devices, such as the PS5, according to Kelso. As time progresses, one can anticipate the ways in which people utilize the Apple Vision Pro to expand and evolve.
Luke Hurd, director of spatial experience design at VML, explains that people use the Apple Vision Pro similarly to how they use their laptops or iPads. "You can create and edit as you would on an iPad, or you can be productive editing documents, taking meetings, etc.," he says.
As for Hurd, the initial thing he did with the headset was create an app that placed a life-size DeLorean Time Machine from 'Back To The Future' in his backyard, simply because, as he puts it, "why not?"
Apple Vision Pro Review
Hurd, who has had his Apple Vision Pro since early February, has utilized the headset as his primary computer for the past few days. "I am currently typing to you on the Apple Vision Pro by extending my 13” MacBook to the [device], and I am building three different apps at the moment (one for myself, two for clients)," he comments. "I honestly look forward to these becoming just as routine as the laptop you carry around, but every bit as important."
Up to this point, he has been impressed by its functionality. "If I want to shop, I can buy things with Apple Pay (it just scans my eyes, completely hands-free). If I want to listen to my massive music library, I just open Apple Music," shares Hurd. "I can record my screen with a simple record button and airdrop it over to my phone — it’s the most comprehensive in-headset experience I have ever tried," he continues, acknowledging that while it's not flawless, it has set the standard for top-tier experience design in mixed reality and spatial experiences.
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Nevertheless, Lugasi points out that while "the positive aspects of the Apple Vision Pro certainly outweigh the negatives, there are certain features that I expect Apple will improve in future iterations." First, he notes that the passthrough camera, facilitating augmented reality and allowing users to see their real surroundings, is of rather poor quality compared to Apple's portrayal in their advertisements. "Apple shows the wearer seeing a perfectly clear representation of their environment, but the unfortunate reality is that the pass-through image is rather grainy," says Lugasi. "Also, while the navigation using your eyes and hand gestures is very seamless, Apple will need to come up with alternate gestures for other actions," he continues, highlighting that the only way to pull up your apps is to reach on top of your head and press the Digital Crown.
Mandt, having "used just about every VR and AR device that’s been available to the public over the last decade," including some that required him to sign an NDA, emphasizes what sets the Vision Pro apart is how intuitive the experiences are. "The imagery is crisp, while the navigation responds to human engagement with ease," he says.
And did we mention that the headset can make everyday tasks a blast? If that isn’t a selling point, we don’t know what is.
What does the future hold for the Apple Vision Pro?
So far, users seem thrilled with the innovation, and its impact is only in its early stages. “If I had to describe the experience of the Vision Pro in one word, it would be transformative. Long-term, I believe this device could even be more impactful than the iPhone,” says Lugasi. “It will transform entertainment, including movies, live sports, and concerts. The Vision Pro will also change how we socialize, work, and learn.” Lugasi also predicts that Apple will achieve critical mass in terms of sales by making the device thinner and lighter, as well as lowering the price over time. “For the time being, though, the only way for people to understand the magic of the device is to try it themselves.”