Apple’s Vision Pro Headset: The Bulky and Weird Future of Computing
Apple’s Vision Pro wearable computing platform can work on its own and lets users interact with VisionOS, the company’s new spatial operating system. The headset has software that makes it feel like iOS is floating in the air. Users can watch movies, look back at photos, play games, and even get some work done. One of the best features is that you can open multiple windows at once, making it feel like you are on your desktop even when you are in a small space, like a coffee shop or an airplane.
People who wear glasses need to use Zeiss optical inserts, which are magnetically attached to the optical lenses inside the Vision Pro. You can wear the headset without glasses, and you can choose between the Solo Knit Band and the Dual Loop Band. Some people did not like how the headset fit or how heavy it was, but after 30 minutes, the Solo Knit Band was found to be comfortable. Apple says that people can get help with the fit at an Apple Store or by calling the number on their iPhone.
The biggest problem with the headset is the battery pack. There is a wire sticking out of the left side of the headset that connects to a rectangular battery that charges for two hours and lasts for about two hours. Users have to put the battery in their pocket in order to move around, which shows how limited the technology is; even Apple could not fix it. But even after 30 minutes of use, the battery is still cool to the touch.
The most impressive part of Vision Pro for users is how they interact with it. The controls are effectively a combination of eyes and fingers, with the interface understanding what users are looking at. When users look at the pill-shaped bar at the bottom and make the tap gesture, the interface knows what they are looking at. This lets them move an app window wherever they want.
Users do not even have to raise their hands for the Vision Pro to understand finger movements. You can use voice recognition, and there is also a virtual keyboard for typing. But the virtual keyboard is harder to use than it looks. For faster typing, people should use a wireless keyboard.
In short, the Apple Vision Pro is a mixed-reality headset that has its own software experience that is like iOS but in the air. Even though it might not be the most comfortable or useful choice for many users, it is a great addition to Apple’s products.
