How did it feel to try on the Apple VisionPro? Here comes the first wave of evaluation!

At the 2023 World Developers Conference (WWDC), known as the "Apple Spring Festival Gala," Apple's first hybrid reality head-on display, VisionPro, which had been brewing for 7 years, finally debuted.

Can this product, which Apple has high hopes for, unlock the "iPhone Moment" in the field of spatial computing?

Technology media 9to5MAC reporter ChanceMiller was fortunate to have been the first to receive a trial opportunity.

Miller was watching the keynote speech on-site at WWDC and was then taken to the demonstration building at Apple Park to embark on a world journey created by VisionPro.

The debugging process is simple and supports nearsighted users

Before truly trying out VisionPro, Miller needs to go through an adaptation process.

Firstly, authentication is completed on the scanning system of iPhone 14, similar to completing facial authentication on the new iPhone.

The next step is to set up the SpatialAudio spatial audio mode, including scanning the face and ears.

The process was simple, but Miller still encountered some minor issues as the iPhone 14 was unable to successfully scan his left ear. However, this has almost no impact on the actual user experience.

For people with poor vision, Apple has prepared vision testing equipment.

Apple also stated that personalized optical inserts can be usedEnsure that nearsighted users can achieve precise observation and eye tracking even after wearing it.

Due to Miller wearing a pair of contact lenses at the time, he did not need to undergo vision tests like people wearing regular glasses.

Next, Miller put the VisionPro on his head and found that the top and side straps can be adjusted according to user needs, making it very snug and comfortable.

Move your mouth, fingers, or even your eyes to operate

VisionOS is a new operating system created by Apple for VisionPro.

In Miller's first interactive experience, the iconic "Hello" word from Apple floated in the air, and then the main interface appeared, similar to the cellular interface on the AppleWatch.

VisionPro can be operated solely by eyes, speech, and gestures,Users only need to move their mouth, fingers, or even rotate their eyes to control.

Miller does not use a voice operating system here, but controls interface movement through gestures and eyes.

These two experiences truly amazed him.

Tap your fingers to select an object, pinch two fingers together to enlarge the image, lightly flick your wrist to scroll the interface, and quickly swing your wrist to activate inertial scrolling.

Miller stated that during his 30 minute trial of VisionPro, he felt very comfortable with most gestures. Although he had opened the wrong app several times, he only needed to lightly press the DigitalCrown digital watch crown to return to the main interface.

In addition, VisionPro allows multiple applications to run simultaneously, and users can arrange them according to their preferences.

The interface under this operation is similar to the StageManager on the iPad, with a "window bar" at the bottom of each app to adjust its position and an arrow in the corner to adjust the size of each app window.

Users can also tap their fingers to pull these windows closer.

VisionPro's gesture learning is not difficult, but most people need to spend some effort practicing to master it proficiently.

Throughout the process of using VisionPro, Apple repeatedly emphasized the various ways in which headsets allow users to stay in touch with the world around them. For example, Miller can turn his head left and right to look at the other two people in the demonstration room.

In addition, users can adjust the authenticity of the virtual world at any time through the crown.

Immersive video watching

Apple regards content consumption as one of the biggest selling points of VisionPro, and this experience is absolutely unbelievable.

Miller watched the 3D version of Avatar 2 through VisionPro and was amazed by this immersive experience.

Users can watch videos in a floating window and adjust them according to their preferences. The system will automatically lower the brightness around the playback window.

Users can also choose the viewing mode. For example, Miller uses cinema mode to watch movies, just like watching in a home theater.

Here Apple once again shows its attention to details. The background in the cinema mode mimics the sound absorption foam texture of the cinema.

Users can also watch 3D movies on VisionPro, providing an immersive and cool viewing experience.

Miller wore VisionPro to watch clips of NBA games and MLB (Major League Baseball) games.

Both of these experiences left a deep impression on him.

I can look up, down, left, and right, feeling like I'm sitting by the sidelines or first baseline in a sports stadium.

There is a menu bar next to the VsionOS system interface, which will display three options: "Human, Application, and Environment" when expanded.

After Miller chose 'Environment', a scene called 'Hood Mountain' came into view, and then 'fully integrated into the surrounding environment, embracing it in front, back, left, and right.'

Next, Miller uses a digital crown to control the level of immersive experience.

Immersive browsing of albums

Photo albums are one of the key parts of the VisionPro experience.

Users can browse the entire album and use gestures to select, scroll photos, zoom in and out photos, and more.

On VisionPro, users can browse panoramic photos taken with their iPhone, which appear around them in a surrounding manner.

The built-in 3D camera can help VisionPro capture spatial photos and videos, and Apple stated that this is to allow users to "capture, relive, and immerse themselves in their favorite memories".

Apple said:

Every spatial photo and video takes users back to a certain moment in the past, such as celebrating with friends or having a special family gathering.

In Miller's demonstration project, he saw two space videos: one shot at a child's birthday party, and the other shot by a campfire.

Video calls through digital characters

Miller uses VisionPro to have a video call with another trial user on site.

This person appears in Miller's VisionPro through Persona, i.eThe digital character image created using machine learning technology described by Apple.

Persona's image is very realistic, but upon careful observation, users can detect obvious artificial synthetic traces. Especially around the mouth, it is very obvious.

During the FaceTime call, the two collaborated to edit a free format document that included a 3D model of an apartment building. Miller can enter the interior of the model and view details related to design, corners, furniture, and more.

Friendly to carsick people

The last and possibly the most important item - comfort.

Miller wore VisionPro for about 30 minutes, and overall, the experience was good.

The fabric is soft and breathable, and there are many padding around the eyes, making it very comfortable to wear, not only fitting the head but also not too tight.

However, VisionPro is indeed biased, and users may feel tired after wearing it for a long time.

Therefore, it can be understood why Apple chose an external battery pack.

If the battery is integrated into the head display, it will increase the overall weight. In this case, it is almost impossible for users to be willing to wear it continuously for more than a few minutes.

Apple mentioned at the press conference that there are only a small number of sizes available for selection in the demonstration, but more sizes will be provided during the official launch to further enhance the user experience.

In addition, this head display is very friendly to users who are prone to motion sickness and airsickness. As a "patient" with severe motion sickness and airsickness,Miller did not experience any dizziness during the 30 minutes of wearing VisionPro.

Apple explained that two 4K displays and extremely low latency are important factors in preventing dizziness. In addition, VisionPro can switch between virtual reality and augmented reality, which also to some extent prevents users from experiencing dizziness.

Other experiences: Excellent sound quality

The most impressive aspect of Miller's experience was the sound quality of VisionPro.

This head display has two independently amplified audio drivers inside. Combined with immersive content, the spatial audio effect is amazing, much better than using AirPods for spatial audio.

Miller participated in a one minute mindfulness meditation, which included immersive animation and guided breathing exercises.

One of the demonstrations had Miller interact with a butterfly, which flew in and then stopped in his hand. In addition, Miller also experienced an encounter with a dinosaur, and he walked towards it and even touched it.

Due to Miller only wearing a 30 minute VisionPro, he cannot comment on battery life. But according to Apple itself, it can only provide 2 hours of battery life.

The apple head is obviously dragging a cable, connected to an external battery pack. However, this does not hinder the operation at all. Miller said he could put the battery pack in his pocket and stand up and walk around.

Price discourages users?

After the 30 minute experience, Miller expressed some confusion.

It's not that I feel bad, but that I have a feeling I've never had before. I just experienced an experience that brought me into another world... while also maintaining some connection with the 'real world' around me.

Are some features of VisionPro somewhat fancy? Miller wrote:

Undoubtedly, yes. But today I have seen a lot of content that proves how impressive hybrid reality technology can become when applied correctly and equipped with top-notch hardware and software. As the ecosystem expands, some seemingly flashy content can be replaced by incredible experiences.
VisionPro's hardware is definitely industry-leading. I can't see any pixels on the 4K display screen, even the images at the edges on both sides are clear and clear. The display screen, coupled with powerful M2 and R1 chips, means that VisionPro performs well in all aspects.

However, in the face of pricing up to $3500, all the wonderful experiences seem insignificant.

Miller said:

VisionPro will not become a hot product, and I think Apple even knows this. The company compares the VisionPro priced at $3500 to the original Mac priced at $2495 in 1984. In 2023 US dollars (purchasing power), this is equivalent to over 7000 US dollars.