Like many tech enthusiasts, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the announcement at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference 2023. There have been rumors of a new Mac Pro and a new AR/VR product. will be an absolute game changer in the world of consumer technology. Is VR the future, just another gadget or worse?
My assumption is that Apple will continue the trend of not being the first to market a new technology product, but rather the company that makes it mainstream, such as with iPad, Apple Watch, and FaceTime video calling. Apple certainly wasn’t the first company to launch consumer tablets, smartwatches, or introduce video calling, but they’re credited with making all of this so ubiquitous and accessible. much closer. The word “iPad” is synonymous with consumer tablets, and the Apple Watch is the best-selling watch in the world. Whatever you think of the products, there’s no denying that Apple is good at marketing
I’ve heard many tech commentators suggest that Apple is first a marketing company and second a technology company, which is probably not too far-fetched. The buzz and hype that Apple manages to generate with relatively small annual mobile and tablet updates, as well as to make refined versions of old concepts interesting becomes a reality. remaking or making niche gadgets appealing to the mainstream market is actually quite impressive.
As I sit down to watch the WWDC 2023 keynote, I’m not ashamed to say I’m really excited. I’m looking forward to seeing a piece of new technology that has the potential to disrupt the world of consumer technology. My partner was so upset that when Tim Cook gave him a thumbs up, I said the word “One More Thing” along with him. I guess this is how sportspeople feel when they watch something interesting happen with their favorite team.
Then the announcement of Apple’s Vision, the new AR / VR headset has been rumored a lot. I watched the announcement video and found myself marveling at the technology, it is truly an impressive set of tools and an absolute marvel of modern technology. The productivity usage is as expected; can create a virtual workspace in your real office, can be as large as you want and placed anywhere will be very suitable for small workspaces. Seeing someone watch a movie on a virtual big-screen TV that can be placed anywhere in the room is also fascinating. And all of this can be controlled with nothing but your voice, eye tracking and hand gestures. Eye tracking technology is particularly interesting if it works as they claim. So far, just wow!
Considering how Apple’s ability has historically been to market technology products, it’s interesting to see how they position this new product relative to other similar products. Unlike other headsets like Meta Quest, there’s almost no mention of gameplay, no Beat Saber or virtual archery to watch. Vision Pro is aimed squarely at the mass consumer market; The launch ad shows people who work in offices, content creators, moviegoers, people with families, and people traveling by plane. This is a product targeted to as many people as possible, not a quirky or niche gadget. Vision Pro is designed to give you more space to work flexibly, while enhancing your ability to watch movies and TV shows and capture the moments that matter with your family. you in high quality or even in 3D.
What I didn’t anticipate was how uncomfortable I would feel watching this tech demo. Features like the user’s eye being displayed on the outside of the device seem a bit intimidating. I find it very annoying to see people walking around the house with this headset when interacting with their family, especially interacting with children. Personally, I don’t like the idea that a person can be completely immersed in the virtual world in their own home with their family closed. This announcement to me is like watching an episode of Black Mirror, or some other dark world in the near future. Considering how excited I was to see what Apple had planned, I didn’t like this one bit.
When Apple started comparing this device to “powerful computers and home entertainment systems” I knew the price would be high, starting at $3,499 a bit higher than I expected but I’m sure that Technology alone is worth it. much. When looking to buy a home entertainment system, I wanted one that my whole family could enjoy together and one that had longer than 2 hours of battery life — although you could plug in the entertainment system. mounted on its head to the wall outlet.
I may not be in the majority here, but I look forward to evenings sitting on the sofa with my partner to watch a movie or watch a series. We can sometimes scroll up on our phones because it’s 2023 and we’re all mildly addicted to our devices, but we both appreciate the time together. and I don’t want to wear headphones to immerse myself in another world. I appreciate this could be a great device for people who live alone, with family, or in another shared housing arrangement, but it’s not for me. I’m not a gamer either, so I’m not used to being closed for long periods of time. I even enjoy editing or painting in the same room as my family.
For me, the Vision Pro is the #1 Vision. The battery life is at least 2 hours, so you won’t be stuck in a virtual cocoon for too long with this generation of products, but who knows the Apple Vision Pro What will 2 bring?!
One of my favorite times of the day is when I get home from work, my daughter sees me walk in with a big smile on her little face. I don’t care how good the camera and sensor are or how many pixels are pumped into my eyes, I’ve always wanted to witness it with my own eyes.
My reaction to this new device got me thinking about the technology and how the public received it. Is this the future of consumer technology? In 10 years, will we see a lot of people walking around with Tony Stark-style glasses as they interact with the virtual world overlaid with the real world? And, more sadly, will my generation see them the same way members of today’s older generation don’t understand the allure of social media or smartphones?
Is this technology scary and creepy, is AR/VR the future of consumer technology or am I getting old? Let me know what you think in the comments, but be kind!
