Apple Vision Pro Receives Mixed Reviews Upon Debut
Apple recently launched its highly-anticipated mixed-reality headset, the Apple Vision Pro, garnering both excitement and skepticism from consumers and tech enthusiasts alike. Priced at $3,499, the headset boasts advanced features that blur the lines between the digital and physical worlds. However, critics have voiced concerns about the device’s comfort and limitations.
During its debut at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2023, CEO Tim Cook described the Apple Vision Pro as the most advanced personal electronic device ever. The headset, dubbed a spatial computer, combines virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to merge digital media with reality. It features a customizable digital display that floats over the user’s surroundings, allowing for immersive virtual environments, app access, gaming, video content consumption, and even a digitally-rendered persona for FaceTime calls. The interface is controlled through eye movements, finger gestures, and voice commands, supported by the visionOS operating system.
After months of hype and skeptical reviews, the Apple Vision Pro officially launched in the United States on February 2nd. Those who preordered the headset in January were able to pick it up at Apple Stores or have it delivered to their doorsteps. CEO Tim Cook celebrated the release at the flagship Fifth Avenue store in New York City, where he defended the device’s high price tag, stating that it represents tomorrow’s technology today and is appropriately priced considering its value.
The Apple Vision Pro debuted with over 600 apps and games specifically designed to take advantage of its unique capabilities. While some popular platforms like Netflix have yet to join the lineup, Disney+ was available from day one, showcasing Disney’s early support for the new device.
However, as videos of people wearing the Apple Vision Pro surfaced online, concerns about safety arose. Some individuals were shown wearing the headset while operating self-driving cars, prompting U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to remind the public that all advanced driver assistance systems require the human driver’s full engagement.
Critics of the Apple Vision Pro have raised several issues with the device. Many reviewers found the headset uncomfortable to wear for extended periods and reported feelings of nausea. Weight was another commonly mentioned drawback. In response, Richard Howarth, Apple’s vice president of industrial design, explained that there was no way to make the device lighter or smaller due to the amount of technology packed into its compact form factor.
Another criticism centers around Apple’s ambition to create an augmented reality display that can replace traditional computers. Some argue that the technology needed to achieve this level of functionality is not yet available, and the Apple Vision Pro is more akin to a virtual reality headset with real-time video passthrough than a true augmented reality device.
Despite these concerns, Apple remains determined to create an unobtrusive and subtle device comparable to pulling out an iPhone or a pair of AirPods. Kevin Roose of The New York Times notes that while Apple has made progress in seamlessly transitioning between the virtual and physical worlds, some friction still remains.
As Apple continues to fine-tune the technology and receive feedback from users, it is clear that the Apple Vision Pro represents a significant step towards a more immersive and integrated digital experience. However, further advancements are needed to address the concerns raised by critics and to achieve Apple’s ultimate vision for the future of computing.
