Another fruit slice in the XR pie.

We’ve had an interesting start to the month with two new products launched into the AR / VR / XR space.

Apple have finally shown what they have been developing and there’s mixed feelings (well at least from me) about what they have actually launched. A US $3500 ski mask with AR capabilities? It certainly doesn’t shaped up as a direct competitor to Meta’s release…or does it? AR Post does an interesting breakdown of the two in their recent article: Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro: A Tale of Two Headsets.

I’m interested in what the VisionPro is bringing to the table. As always with Apple you can see the engineering and styling behind their new product. It’s very much an Apple product through and through from the styling to the technical specifications. Very, very Apple! Everything I have read so far suggests this new device is targeted at developers, targeted to see that content developed in Unity can be ported to their new visionOS and more consumer centric versions of the VisionPro when it finally reaches the market.

Would I get one?

At its current going price not likely. What’s more the unit will only be released to the US market in the new year and the rest of the world (including Australia?) beyond that.

If however one “fell of the back of a truck” and, if not too damaged, found its way to me I’d me more than happy to try it out.

Like the Meta Quest Pro (which I also don’t have and am unlikely too: where is that truck?) Apple’s new venture appears to be focused on developers. Meta have already shown with the Meta Quest 3 that lessons learnt in their developer model subsequently make their way to their next commercial release.

Apple? Taking note?

Now back to the VisionPro. Whilst like others I’d waited for Apple’s release of this product and how they might reshape the XR landscape. In my opinion this new device still doesn’t address a couple of things that negatively impact on the user experience: eye health and general ergonomics. Every VR device on the market today has similar issues in that to counter the leakage of external light and distractions from the external (real) surrounding environment your eyes are fully enclosed. There is little airflow which is detrimental to good ocular health. I should add that these issues aren’t unique to this device but it does lend itself to further study and research that I’m surprised hasn’t happened to this point. There are a number of AR devices already commercially available like those from Rokid and XREAL that address this issue.

And no these latter two haven’t fallen off a truck in my direction (yet) either.

At least Apple and Meta’s recent releases have shown the XR space is developing at a much faster rate than before. We have a way to go before such devices can be serious contenders to replace the traditional workspace. Let’s first not get hung up about trademarking the space and focus on what will work for everyone regardless of your wallet size.