Apple VisionPro - What did we just see?

My Initial Thoughts

WOW. I am completely blown away.

Apple just redefined the entire category of spacial computing and redefined what computing is.

Think about what we just saw.

First off, no more clunky multi-screen desktops. A seamless, spacial computing experience anywhere you want and as either clear or as immersive as you want. This almost redefines how we will work.

Then, a fully innovative, encapsulating, immersive, and interactive entertainment experience, again as immersive as you want. The thought of watching multiple live tv streams, games with live stats and/or scores, detailed analysis and 3d replay on my tabletop…it’s breathtaking and world changing. Not to mention the immersive gaming or disappearing into videos of my loved ones. Or the ability to disappear into your own world anywhere and anytime you want. Forget about in flight entertainment systems. You now have your own personal world to just disappear into. I never have to worry about crying babies ever again whether I’m working or watching a movie or tv. Starlink and fast internet can’t come to commercial airlines fast enough.

Then we have the interactions with others. I’m sure it’s just a first pass, but the use of a 3d avatar for FaceTime that is displayed on the other person’s VisionPro IN 3D is the closest we’ve come to the holographic communication in Star Wars yet? Actual 3d video communication. That’s insane! Not to mention, 3d group chats while sitting on your couch or watching a movie together. Incredible.

They barely hinted at how this will be used in industry such as looking at 3d prototypes of cars and factory lines, but you can rest assured this will change everything about all of it.

Quite simply, this changes how we work, play, and interact with one device. And compared to all o the devices it replaces, the price is actually reasonable.

All this in a first generation device clearly well thought out assuming it can deliver, which I’m betting Apple will make sure it does.

I’m deeply enthralled. We only saw brief glimpses of some of what it is capable of. And I’m sure developers will create new and unique experiences like we have seen with the iPhone. Remember, what we saw today is very 0.1. This is just the start. Think of how far the iPhone has come in launch day and where VisionPro will be in 15 years. And notice no one in all of the demos was wearing an Apple Watch. Because Vision Pro is the natural evolution of it.

Now for what was missing. Clearly Apple intends for VisionPro to be used indoors at your home or office and generally while standing or sitting relatively stationary. We didn’t see much interaction with the space around you. This is not AR in the sense of a HUD for the world, which is what I’d like to see someday. This isn’t designed for walking around or driving with and having navigation information overlaid on street infant of you. Maybe Apple has plans for another device for that (there have been rumors). This is a computing and entertainment device for your home that, while using it, replaces all your other devices, but still allows you to interact with the world around you.

Really, it’s a take on AR I had never really thought of and it’s breathtaking.

Another thing curiously missing except for one moment when someone received a FaceTime were notifications. Notifications play a huge role on all of Apple’s devices. Yet not once did we see an incoming text, email, Slack, etc.. Odd. Wonder if they are still figuring that one out.

And last but not least, bravo to Apple for making the input device your eyes and fingers in the way they did. That’s certainly the holy grail of desired input devices. Only time will tell if it actually works as well as advertised, but clearly Apple believes in it.

So, in sum, I am astonished. This is around half a decade or more ahead of anything else we have and while it won’t be available until next year, that just means it’ll be refined and more and more capabilities added.

My expectations were completely blown away and I am beyond excited.

Congratulations Apple. Home Run.