Hands-on with Apple Vision Pro: A Mixed Experience at the Apple Store
For years, Apple has prided itself on providing customers with hands-on experiences at their retail stores. However, the new Apple Vision Pro breaks away from this tradition. To try out this mixed-reality device, customers must book a guided half-hour session with an Apple Store employee. As someone who has experienced numerous virtual reality demos, I was intrigued to see how Apple would present the concept of “spatial computing” to the public.
Upon arriving at a nearby Apple Store for my scheduled demo, I was directed to a table displaying the Vision Pro headsets. Unfortunately, they were securely fastened to their stands, preventing me from trying them on. However, I was able to examine the hardware and watch promotional videos on nearby iPads. After a short wait, an enthusiastic Apple Store employee named Craig approached me and led me to another table where I would experience the Vision Pro.
Craig informed me that this was the first time Apple Store employees had early access to a new device for training purposes. He mentioned that interest in the demos had been steady and that the store had resolved initial issues with scheduling. However, there were still some hiccups during my demo. Craig struggled to find the dedicated iPhone used for face scanning and fit determination. Eventually, I had to download the Apple Store app and use a QR code to access the face-scanning tool on my own iPhone. It took multiple attempts before the app produced the code needed for my fit information.
After a short wait, another employee presented me with the Vision Pro headset on a wooden platter. Craig explained that he would be able to see what I saw through his iPad. However, establishing a wireless connection took several minutes of troubleshooting. Finally, we were ready to begin the demo.
My initial impression of the Vision Pro was that it felt heavy and uncomfortable on my nose. Fortunately, Craig showed me how to adjust the fit with a dial behind my ear, which greatly improved the comfort. We proceeded with a scripted demo, where Craig showcased various features of the Vision Pro. We viewed photos, videos, and webpages in a three-dimensional space. The high-fidelity videos provided an impressive sense of presence.
Craig emphasized that apps could exist anywhere in the user’s space, and he demonstrated how to manipulate app windows. He also highlighted the sharpness of text and the stunning visuals of websites. According to Craig, over one million iPhone and iPad apps would be compatible with the Vision Pro.
The demo concluded with a section highlighting the Vision Pro as an entertainment device. We watched 3D clips and immersive 180-degree videos that truly showcased the device’s fidelity and sense of presence. Although the scripted nature of the demo was disappointing, the overall experience was impressive.
After the official demo, I asked if I could try out the Experience Dinosaurs demo. Craig obliged, and I had the opportunity to interact with virtual butterflies and a roaring T. rex. Craig congratulated me on experiencing something revolutionary and expressed his excitement about being part of it.
During the demo, Craig subtly encouraged me to add a Vision Pro to my virtual shopping bag in the Apple Store app. However, he made it clear that there was no pressure to make a purchase.
Despite some setup issues and the scripted nature of the demo, the Apple Vision Pro experience was remarkable. It surpassed my previous experiences with other VR headsets. However, the demo failed to highlight certain features such as syncing with a MacBook or using the headset for productivity purposes. There was also no mention of interactive gaming experiences or using Siri for voice commands.
It seems that Apple’s focus for the Vision Pro is on passive content consumption rather than productivity or interactive applications. While these media-consumption features generated awe-inspiring moments, it remains to be seen whether these short demos can effectively sell a device that is significantly more expensive than an iPhone.
In conclusion, the Apple Vision Pro demo at the Apple Store provided a mixed experience. While there were impressive aspects to the device, such as its fidelity and sense of presence, the demo failed to present a cohesive narrative positioning it as Apple’s next big computing platform. Nonetheless, it is clear that Apple is venturing into the world of spatial computing, and the Vision Pro is a step in that direction.