What is your opinion on Apple's take on "spacial computing," as they're referring to the Apple Vision Pro's approach to AR.

It’s an amazing piece of technology. Yes, it’s pricey but, as you said, not for everyone at this point.

I tried it out at the Apple Store and I’ll say this — once the price goes down eventually and the bulk of it lessens a bit, I could see it getting more widely adopted.

It’s an incredible experience that truly augments reality in a natural and useful way.

Let me say this in no uncertain terms:
If you walk around in public with that, you deserve to get mugged, beaten, stabbed, and wedgied.

Was heartbroken when Jobs died. Wishing his company the best.

Based so far on one review I had read…what would make me get this is its 3D video viewing feature. Viewing family videos and my travel videos in 3D…I am betting would be a great emotionally immersive experience.

My son is an early adopter of Apple products and is immersed in the tech world. I would not be surprised if he buys one and will be interested in hearing what he has to say. As for me – probably not. I have enough trouble staying out of my head most of the time as it is.

@cookieman So the passthrough of reality was as good as people are saying it is when you tried it? Did the interaction with the UI feel as natural and intuitive as the reviews claim?

@mazingerz88 I agree that the 3D videos could be incredible. It would be amazing for kids today to return to their childhood bedroom and look around, when they’re old. Or to see their young parents celebrating their 5th birthday after they’ve passed away.

I could also see people in nursing homes have enrichment opportunities to explore distant lands or connect in new and meaningful ways.

@gorillapaws: Yes and yes. It was very natural and immediately intuitive, particularly if you’re already an Apple user.

One very cool feature is that the headset initially maps out your space, including multiple rooms in your house.

You can open up an app and pin it in one location (a cooking website on your kitchen counter for example). If you leave the room and go do something else, then later return to the kitchen, it’s still there, where you left it (with a recipe open or whatever).

I saw someone had a shopping list pinned to their fridge, Disney+ open in the living room, and Microsoft Office open in their den — and they all just lived there, intersecting with your reality.

@cookieman Do you like this future? or do you think it’s going to be more isolating and cold? or will it bring people together even more?

It is dystopian. People are already losing their grasp on reality through social media, and now you give them a tool to bring their bubbles with them on the road. 24/7 bombardement with bullshit, when you include the muskrat’s brain chip, which will fill your head with poison while you sleep. Even in meat space, you no longer will have real conversations with people, because you know they have their facebook and twitter feeds right next to them, while they are sitting in front of you with half their face hidden behind these clown goggles.

@gorillapaws: I’m not sure I love it. The technology is impressive, but I’m certain any benefits will be countered by the interests of consumerism, social media, and (frankly) porn very quickly.

I can see it isolating us further, but then, for those who never leave their house anyway, it could be freeing and open them up to new interactions.

The idea of it becoming more mobile (lighter headset, longer battery life) could totally feel dystopian , with dozens of people walking the streets with goggles on.

I have yet to see any personal utility in the concept of virtual reality (or enhanced reality, or augmented reality, whatever they are calling it these days).

There are probably some business applications for the new headset; that’s not my area of expertise.

Like most Apple things, it is nicely engineered and it appeals to a minority of a minority. That’s why it costs so much.

I think that’s supposed to be “spatial” (i.e., having to do with space).

And after a quick tour, I think it’s awful.

@janbb I have enough trouble staying out of my head most of the time as it is.

omg I love how you phrased that! It’s my problem, too!

@Jeruba ”I think that’s supposed to be “spatial”’

You are 100% correct. I apologize for the error and appreciate your correction. Is it the case that you see no utility in the device? Or is it more the case that the cons ought-weigh the pros?

I think it has potential but we are a long way from widespread adoption. I don’t see it as dystopian, not any more than your smartphone. I see getting rid of all this bulky gear sitting on my desk, being able to take my full office with me wherever I want in my pocket, and a death knell to movie theaters. Not now, but eventually. Clearly in heavy beta but it’s not hard to see where it is going. IMO, this technology will reduce a lot of consumer waste. Apple is not the first to do this, they’re just the next rung of evolution with this tech. VR never really took off with video games because the tech is too clunky and expensive. People said VR would take over the porn industry but that never happened either. We are still in the realm of too clunky and expensive. Most people have to be forced to use new tech and It’ll be a while before that happens with this.

Relative comparison: $350 color TV in 1959 is the equivalent to about $3500, the cost of a Apple Vision Pro.

^^ Interesting point @Tropical_Willie

I’m not particularly compelled by it. Its success hinges on its ability to replace laptops/phones/tablets, etc. It is nowhere near that. It is a gimmicky device whose positive reviews are almost entirely a result of initial-release “wow factor”, which is not sustainable (and it’s also the result of CEO Tim Cook’s desire to have his “iPhone moment”). I certainly won’t predict that wearable tech will never replace phones and laptops, but I’m not seeing it happening soon, and for now “spatial computing” feels like it takes elements from personal computing and mobile computing without being a true replacement for them.

Except a 4k 50” tv today is $300 not $3500

@Tropical_Willie Relative comparison: $350 color TV in 1959 is the equivalent to about $3500, the cost of a Apple Vision Pro.

I seem remember in 1959 the only color TV I knew of (and had actually seen!) was in the one bar in my small town!

We had two neighbors that had them earlier than 1959 in California, one was a doctor and the other was a general contractor. The doctor lived on the corner with a glass front door you could see the TV from the sidewalk.

The problem with technology like this is it attracts idiots like this guy who wore it while driving.

^^ I was waiting for that to happen.

@zenvelo
People like that need to have their license revoked.
Not only does he not have his hands on the steering wheel, the headset only has camera pass through, meaning anything he sees of the outside world, he sees through a camera.
When the device turns off, he is instantly blind.

This was an interesting video: Ages 1 – 100 Try Apple Vision Pro