Seeing is Believing? What I Learned from the Apple Store's 30-minute Vision Pro Demo
Despite the $3,500 price tag, the Vision Pro is not a user-friendly retail product.
Setup Snafus
When I arrived at the Apple Store for my Vision Pro demo, I had to wait by a display of secured headsets and buttons. The setup process involved scanning my face using a dedicated iPhone, but there were some technical difficulties. After multiple attempts, I finally got the fit information sent to the back room.
Once the demo unit was ready, it was brought out on a wooden platter. The wireless connection between the headset and the iPad took some time to establish, resulting in additional waiting.
Finally, I put on the Vision Pro headset, which felt heavy and uncomfortable on the bridge of my nose. However, with some adjustments, the fit improved. The eye and hand tracking calibration went smoothly, and I was ready to begin the demo.
A Scripted Experience
During the guided demo, it was evident that the Apple Store employee was reading from a script on his iPhone. While the initial enthusiasm faded, the demo showcased the clarity and sharpness of the Vision Pro.
The demo included viewing photos and panoramas in a new way, experiencing spatial photos and videos, and exploring virtual environments. The employee emphasized the compatibility of over one million iPhone/iPad apps with the Vision Pro.
Overall, the demo provided a taste of what the Vision Pro can do, but it lacked a cohesive narrative or pitch as a general-use computing platform.
Unsolved Mysteries of the Vision Pro
While the demo showcased the impressive capabilities of the Vision Pro, there were some unanswered questions. One major concern is the lack of available software at launch, making it difficult to fully utilize the device.
The comfort of the headset was also a point of contention, with some users finding it heavy and pinchy. However, with adjustments, the fit improved, and interactions with the device became more natural.
In terms of user experience, the Vision Pro introduced new metaphors and gestures that took some time to learn. The absence of controllers was a mixed bag, as it streamlined the experience but limited certain interactions.
Despite its flaws and limitations, the Vision Pro has the potential to become a stable and well-liked platform, especially as the software selection improves.
