Apple Vision Pro: A Look at the Future of VR

Photo of the Apple Vision Pro headset on a black background3-4 min read  • 

Not even an year back, the concept of a VR headset that could be used for purposes beyond entertainment seemed foreign, and the technology to do so was not publicly available. Now, the Apple Vision Pro, released not too long ago (as of the date I am publishing this blog), serves as a turning point for what could very well be the future of augmented reality as we know it. As much as it may seem as another overpriced apple product (which it is) with no real future implications, this new headset can have many implications on serious technological advances in the years to come because of its its groundbreaking technology, trendsetting capabilities, and viability for everyday use.

What is the Apple Vision Pro?

The Apple Vision Pro is a revolutionary headset that enables one to use apps and features such as an on-demand movie screen, various games, the ability to view panoramic images in the moment, the ability to hold multiple apps in multiple areas of your viewing (they stay like 3-D objects; they hold their place no matter where you move or look), and much more. Essentially, it's an on-demand computer that you're continually wearing that can help you in day-to-day productivity and entertainment. It can be used for much more personal online meetings, a revolutionized gaming experience, and many other things that I won't delve too deep into.

Having tried the Apple Vision Pro before, I can say that it is definitely a much more mind-bending experience than it may seem on any blog or YouTube video; it feels exactly like reality with no differences from my regular eyesight, ignoring the technological features, despite all of the vision being put on a computerized display. I would highly suggest that you go ahead and try a demo, should one be convenient to you.

How will it change the world of VR and AR?

Let's establish the difference between VR and AR first: VR stands for virtual reality; a VR headset would immerse you in a world separate for the one that you are currently living in, such as a VR YouTube video, a VR game, etc. AR, or Augmented Reality, takes in the world that we live in into account in that it only modifies our perception of it. An example of AR would be a Snapchat filter that modifies the world around you by adding 3D elements and such. 

The Apple Vision Pro does both: it can modify your perception of the real world, or it could immerse you in a new one altogether. The reason that I say that it will change the world is because of past advances in technologies; I will name two of them. 

For one, we had AirPods from Apple. These initially overpriced $200 earbuds led to other companies, large and small, following suit and releasing their own wireless earbuds, increasing its popularity, and therefore pressuring companies to innovate to increase the quality. Now I can pull a high quality pair of noise cancelling earbuds off of Amazon for $40. 

Secondly, ChatGPT. When OpenAI first released ChatGPT, we were absolutely shocked at the new capabilities for the future of technology. Now, simple text generation is everywhere, with that one initial AI leading to a cascade of new revolutionizing technologies from other companies. This led to competition between companies, and as larger companies strove to refine their product to a higher degree than their competitors, this technology became stronger, and as a result, more efficient and commonplace.

Back to the Apple Vision Pro. Because of Apple's new tech becoming public, new companies will work to make cheaper and better alternatives to this new product. The high price also encourages companies to make much more affordable headsets. Seriously, for the price of a base Apple Vision Pro before taxes and any upgrades, I could buy an Oculus Quest, a top-notch gaming PC setup, and the newest iPhone, all with some money left over. This leaves much room for improvement once other companies learn to wield this new technology and add their own spins to it, causing a new revolution in the field of spatial computing.

Viability for Everyday Use

The Apple Vision Pro can be used in everyday life as an on-demand computer with all the information that you need at your fingertips. I mean it literally with the functionality of being able to move the virtual screens around to fit your liking. This can be compared to a dual monitor setup with the capability to move browser tabs across screens, except in this case, the screens can be placed anywhere the user sees fit.

My main issue with the Apple Vision Pro is not that it's not good enough, it's that the headset is too good. What I mean by this is that one of our primary human senses, sight, is now at the mercy of a piece of technology controlled by a separate company, and with more affordable options inevitably on the way, the future of AI and sight is getting scarier. While these advances do help us like I mentioned before, I personally feel like we are increasing our dependence on technology too much, and that we should take a few steps back from this. Note that this segment is purely my own insight and opinion, and I am not enforcing this on anyone: I am merely sharing it. Another side for how increased dependence on technology would be fruitful for society could also be argued.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Apple Vision Pro, despite its hefty price tag, stands as a revolutionary step for AR. Its features blur the lines between entertainment and everyday use, paving the way for a more accessible future in spatial computing. This innovation has the potential to spark competition, driving down costs and bringing AR to the masses. However, our growing dependence on technology, particularly for a crucial sense like sight, demands a closer look at the ethical implications of this exciting new frontier.





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