Vision Pro: What it’s like to wear Apple’s mixed reality glasses

The Vision Pro, announced by Apple on Monday (5), will only arrive in US stores early next year, but some journalists had access to the device during WWDC 2023. Check below what were the first impressions of those who tested the device and learn more about what we can expect from mixed reality glasses.

Apple classifies the Vision Pro as a “spatial computing” device, meaning it uses all the space around the user to display information, video and more. It is a complete computer, equipped with the powerful Apple M2 processor together with a new R1 chip.

What it’s like to wear Vision Pro

One of the main concerns of companies developing devices like the Vision Pro is the question of comfort: wearing a large, heavy and uncomfortable device on the head can be tiring after a while, in addition to the discomfort caused by the straps and elastic bands needed to keep the device in position locked in place.

Apple has taken some precautions to make the Vision Pro comfortable, such as keeping the battery out of the device: the external unit must be connected by cable to the glasses and therefore the person will have to take it with him whenever he wants. around when using the device.

“The Vision Pro’s rear strap felt more comfortable than any of Meta’s VR devices, but the viewfinder still put a little pressure against my eyes and around my nose after I adjusted it securely with the back button,” he said. explained Devindra Hardawar, of Engadget, who had the opportunity to test the device during WWDC.

“The test unit had a Velcro strap that goes over the head, just like the Meta Quest. This isn’t visible in any of Apple’s promotional materials, but the company told me the modular design of the glasses allows for additional straps if needed,” he continued.

Hardawar’s initial annoyance soon faded. “I pretty much forgot about that little discomfort once I tried Vision Pro in action,” he explained. “When the screen came to life, I was faced with the same meeting room I had originally entered. [os testes foram realizados em uma sala separada do evento, projetada especialmente para receber jornalistas], except now I could see a grid of app icons floating in front of me. Thanks to the device’s high-resolution front-facing cameras, I had a clear view of my surroundings, as well as Apple representatives guiding my demo. It wasn’t a perfect representation of reality, but it was better than any other VR product I’ve tested.”

“I tested Vision Pro for about 30 minutes and my overall experience was positive. The fabric is soft and airy and felt really comfortable on my head,” explained 9to5Mac’s Chance Miller.

During the tests, Apple representatives guided participants to adjust vision settings, particularly for those who wear prescription glasses—the company has left separate vision-testing equipment for these people. When Vision Pro is released, you won’t be able to use it in conjunction with prescription glasses – you’ll need to use a special lens for the device.

After dressing: the screen and usability

“In my first iteration, visionOS [sistema operacional do dispositivo] it showed Apple’s iconic “Hello” message floating in space. From there, I was taken to Home View. The home screen is similar to the Apple Watch’s beehive view. I used my eyes to navigate the app grid,” Miller explained.

“The interface was surprisingly smooth. Looking at icons or interface options makes them appear larger or changes the way they appear highlighted. Tapping while looking at something opens an app,” Scott Stein said on CNET.

“Surfing involves brushing and pulling with your fingers; again, easy enough to do. I scaled windows by moving my hands to throw a window across the room or bring it closer to me. I had multiple apps open at once, including Safari, Messages, and Photos. It was easy to navigate, although sometimes my eyes needed more focus to be able to do what I wanted,” she continued.

Nilay Patel of The Verge was very impressed by the screens: “4K for each eye, with pixels as small as 23 microns. In the short time I tested it, it was perfectly possible to read texts in Safari, look at photos or watch movies.”

The journalist, however, found some small imperfections. “I saw some green and purple edges on the sides of the lenses, but I can’t tell if that was due to the quick adjustment process or the nature of the demo or something else entirely. We’ll have to check that when it launches,” he concluded.

While everything works great in tests, some journalists believe that ordinary users may struggle at first. “For most people, the learning curve will be the most challenging aspect of Vision Pro. I imagine the gestures will become natural at some point, but you’ll have to practice until you get there. I assume visionOS will offer a robust user tutorial when it launches,” Miller told 9to5Mac.

So, is Vision Pro worth it?

With an advertised price tag of $3,500, the Vision Pro is quite expensive. But it also wants to be a product that doesn’t exist yet, so that price might be worth it. Will be? In the rapid tests carried out by journalists, the feeling that remains is that yes, the Vision Pro impresses, but it needs a lot more to justify the high price charged and also to actually become a product used by millions of people around the planet. .

“2024 is still a long way off, and Apple’s headphones will cost more than most people can afford. And I have no idea how functional the device would be for a day’s work. But Apple demonstrated a much better screen and interface than I expected. If Apple can build on that and Vision Pro finds ways to expand its mixed reality capabilities, who knows what else will be possible,” Stein said on CNET.

“I know Apple has a long list of things that need to be refined before Vision Pro launches. In part, this is why it was announced at WWDC: to allow developers to react, find out what kind of apps they can create . But that’s the same promise we hear from all of the VR devices from Meta and other companies,” Patel explained.

“Apple can outdo anyone in the industry when it comes to hardware, especially when cost isn’t an issue. But even the best display demo I’ve ever attended is still just a demo — it remains to be seen whether the Apple developer community can develop apps for Vision Pro.

through Engadget, The limit, CNET AND 9to5Mac

The post Vision Pro: How to Use Apple’s Mixed Reality Glasses first appeared on Olhar Digital.

Source: Olhar Digital