The Apple Vision Pro is almost here. Apple’s mixed reality headset that enables developers to create Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality content.
Augmented Reality vs Mixed Reality
By the way, if you are confused with ‘Augmented Reality’. Augmented Reality is different than Mixed Reality as the virtual content is overlays on top of the real world, and not mixed with it. “Mix” means that in mixed reality, virtual content can be places behind, on top, below, aside of above real-world objects and be occluded (partially or completely hidden).
The terms sometimes used interchangeably but that’s how I see most refer to it and how I understand those terms.
What Do you Plan to use Vision Pro for?
OK, that’s a side, what are the reasons to get the Vision Pro? Let’s say it like that, if the price was like $500, I probably wouldn’t even written this article. But when we talk about $3500, it’s not just me that will ask this question, but many other tech enthusiasts that not sure whether it will be worth investing in this tech at such price.
The main question is for which type of use you plan to use it.
If you want it to increase productivity, based on what we see right now, it might be a great device, even can replace multiple monitors and be used for working remotely without even carrying heavy equipment.
If you want it to experience high-end virtual reality and mixed reality content, it definitely has the capability to deliver it. If you want to see movies on a huge cinema-size display in very high resolution, you got it.
If you are looking to use it for pure entertainment like playing mixed reality and virtual reality games–well–it all depends on the content. The hardware enables developers to create amazing MR and VR content. However, without some of those apps being shipped on day one that we know of or see how many apps and games developers will release for it (considering the niche market), it might now be worth it.
I’ve seen that in Augmented Reality in mobile phones and more specifically on the iPhone. With all the bells and whistles, many just weren’t convinced and prefer the standard way through the screen to consume the media, rather than viewing it from the small viewport of the screen. The iPhone already have high-quality depth scanning and with ARKit, developers can create great apps, but there aren’t really many amazing apps out there in my opinion. Same goes to Android by the way.
The cool thing is that now when your hands are free, you’ll be able to experience mixed reality ins a different way. Although Apple Vision Pro lacks controllers, which might be limiting for quite a few games and apps, hand-tracking should be top-notch.
Based on what I’ve seen on Apple’s website, it seems that the target right now is for professional use. It wasn’t introduced with like 20 games at launch like a gaming console, as otherwise we probably would have seen some triple A developers showcasing some games. Maybe it will come later though.
For VR, buying the Meta Quest 3, an already established platform that is dedicated for entertainment for $499, seems more reasonable and a better buying decision. The main question is how many apps and games will be release for the Apple Vision Pro, and that’s yet to be seen.
Not for Outdoor Use
I have to be completely honest with you. If Apple Vision Pro was meant for outdoor use and was slimmer and lighter, I would get it day one without thinking twice. I am dreaming about Apple releasing augmented reality glasses that I can use outdoors with AI feature that I can benefit on a daily basis. This does not seem the case of course with Vision Pro looking so bulky, 2 hours battery lifetime and probably more limitations with its depth scanning and complementary technologies to make it useable outdoors.
So basically, we are left for indoor use, which means productivity, creativity and entertainment in most part.
Quest 3 or Vision Pro
Unless I see some amazing content and check out the device and experience it myself, I don’t see myself shelling $3500 (most probably even more expansive where I leave due to taxes). Even worse, have the same thing that I had with the PlayStation 5, just waiting for exclusive games to be release, that will take ages, and many of them I don’t even enjoy playing.
But this might change even with 1 or 2 killer apps/games (or maybe not lol).
Regarding VR, I would probably prefer investing in the Meta Quest 2 than Apple’s Vision Pro as a mature technology that I’m sure we’ll see a lot of content being released that takes advantage of its enhanced tech compared to the Quest 2.
I know it’s funny even comparing the two, but thing is that with the Quest 3 having higher quality color passthrough and better specs, it gets slowly closer to a good mixed reality headset, but still far from the Vision Pro.
The Vision Pro is the best of the best you can get right now (well, when its released) as for a mixed reality headset. And I prefer that of Magic Leap’s transparent glasses that don’t deliver opaque virtual content. And I do want to have VR/MR in a single device.
At the same breath, I am disappointed that Apple didn’t go with just AR and slimmer device for outdoor use, but that’s how it is.
So bottom line, unless developers going to make some apps that are going to really nail it in terms of productivity and entertainment and those who fits my needs, I probably will be skipping the Vision Pro and just get the Quest 3 until Apple’s Vision Pro has more content and who maybe drop in price or both to justify it, but content is the most important thing for me.
Your Thoughts
What are your thoughts on Apple Vision Pro mixed reality headset and do you plan to get it or like me, on the fence and not sure just yet. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below. Thanks for reading!.