Apple Vision Pro: Navigating an Uncertain Technological Future

Apple Vision Pro:

credit to YouTube/ Apple

Introducing Apple Vision Pro: Your Spatial Computing Companion.

The Vision Pro’s most impressive feature is its display. It isn’t a magical device that transforms everything around you, but it excels at being an incredibly high-quality, interactive screen. I still feel excited when using its cutting-edge features, but it has also settled into a practical role for daily activities. The more I use it, the more I realize that its design likely intends for users to see it as a normal, everyday gadget. And while some moments may feel a little routine or less thrilling, the Vision Pro has a unique quality that keeps me engaged. There are still mysteries about how it works and what it can do, which adds to its charm.

One thing that continues to amaze me is how well the Vision Pro handles movie playback. It has essentially become my home theater, delivering an incredible viewing experience. However, I realize that not everyone would want to spend $3,500 just to watch movies. Watching Oscar-nominated films like Poor Things and The Zone of Interest on Apple TV is a breathtaking experience, with the sound and picture quality being top-notch. Unfortunately, streaming from platforms like Paramount Plus hasn’t been as impressive. For example, Past Lives lacked the crisp quality I was hoping for due to the app’s limited settings. While Netflix’s Maestro looked great, launching it through Safari was a bit inconvenient.

Despite the excellent cinematic experience, I usually watch movies in short bursts—maybe an hour at a time—since the Vision Pro isn’t the most comfortable for lounging. For a more relaxed viewing session, I still prefer my iPad, especially if I’m watching with family. Our go-to device for group watching is the TV, as the Vision Pro is more suited for personal use.

The Vision Pro does have a few downsides, especially when it comes to comfort. I sometimes experience eye strain and notice glare or reflections on the lenses. These issues aren’t unique to the Vision Pro—I deal with them even with my regular glasses—but they’re more noticeable when I’m trying to enjoy darker movie scenes. Although I love the immersive experience, the headset feels too bulky to take on the go.

I left it behind on a recent trip to Disney because it would’ve taken up too much space in my backpack, and instead, I took my iPad, which was perfect for watching on the plane. Perhaps future versions of the Vision Pro will be more compact, like HTC’s Vive XR Elite, but for now, it’s not there yet in terms of portability.

When it comes to work, the Vision Pro has become my primary monitor at home. I enjoy casting my MacBook Air display onto a large, virtual screen, which makes multitasking easy. I often use the Vision Pro paired with my MacBook Air while sitting at my desk, with the battery pack plugged in. I love the familiarity of my MacBook’s keyboard and trackpad, and how seamlessly my office apps function within the Vision Pro environment. However, since some apps, like Okra Fast Pass, aren’t yet available on the Vision Pro, I still rely on my MacBook for certain work tasks.

This setup works better for me than using the Meta Quest 3 because of the integration with Apple’s ecosystem. Siri is easily accessible, notifications come through my iOS apps, and I can control Apple Music and respond to messages effortlessly. The display quality is exceptional, making it easy to have multiple apps open and close to me, almost like having several floating iPads around. Right now, I’m managing my social media flow while working on a project. I just wish there were more multitasking features and additional smaller windows, so I could have an even smoother workflow. I definitely miss the seamless flow of apps when I take the headset off.

Still, there are moments when I choose not to use the Vision Pro at all. Sometimes, working directly on my MacBook or iPhone with a pair of AirPods feels more natural. The Vision Pro is excellent for expanding my displays, but it hasn’t completely transformed how I work yet. While there are a few exciting 3D work apps, the overall experience still involves navigating 2D windows with a keyboard and trackpad.

Another issue I’ve encountered is the discomfort that comes with longer usage. After wearing the Vision Pro for a few hours, I start to feel the strain on my eyes and cheeks. While the battery life is decent—lasting about an hour and a half for high-intensity tasks—the time seems to fly by without me realizing it, especially when I’m deep into work. Often, I only notice how long I’ve been wearing it when I check the time on my watch.

The head strap on the Vision Pro is generally solid, and I appreciate how easy it is to adjust, even while wearing it. However, after extended use, the pressure on my face becomes noticeable, and my contact lenses sometimes get dry. This doesn’t happen often, but it’s frustrating when it does, especially because adjusting the headset can be tricky without disrupting my workflow.

The latest VersionOS 1.1 update has improved some aspects of the Vision Pro, such as stabilizing the connection with my MacBook and enhancing the virtual Persona avatar. However, the eye-tracking feature still leaves something to be desired. It’s hard to target objects in my peripheral vision, and the eye-tracking recalibration takes time each time I power up the device, which is a bit of a hassle.

apple vision pro-the clutter

Looking forward, I hope Apple introduces more features that improve the Vision Pro’s usability in everyday life. For instance, voice input could make navigating apps and communicating even easier, and having the ability to use the headset with more compact devices, like folding goggles, would make it more practical for travel. I also hope they make the headset more comfortable for longer periods of use.