The Apple Vision Pro: Users Face Public Attention and Questions as New Device Hits the Market
The Apple Vision Pro, a groundbreaking augmented reality device, has recently hit the market, and early adopters are experiencing a mix of excitement and public scrutiny. Priced at $3,500, this spatial computer allows users to blend digital content and apps into their physical space while still being able to see the world around them. However, wearing the device in public has led to curious onlookers gawking at users and bombarding them with questions.
Released in the US on February 2, the Apple Vision Pro quickly sold out of its pre-orders, with 200,000 devices being purchased. While it has been making waves in the tech world, not all attention has been positive. Users have reported being criticized for covering their faces and stared at by passersby who are unaware that they can be seen. Some users even find themselves frequently asked to try on the pricey device, much to their annoyance.
One user, Nikias Molina, traveled all the way from Barcelona to New York to purchase the Apple Vision Pro. He filmed himself typing on an invisible keyboard while riding the subway, astonishing fellow passengers. On his flight back to Spain, he was bombarded with questions from the person sitting next to him, who even asked to try on the device. Molina expressed his reluctance to share, stating, “I don’t want to be sharing.” He also mentioned that a flight attendant kept eyeing him throughout the flight, unaware that he could see her. Molina believes that people are simply curious about the device.
Another user, Dante Lentini, garnered attention on social media when he strapped on his Vision Pro and got into his Tesla Model Y in autopilot mode. Videos showed him swiping and tapping the air while his car drove itself. While Lentini described the experience as “futuristic,” online commentators expressed concerns about the safety of using both the device and the car’s autopilot simultaneously. A community note on X provided links to guidance about not using the device while driving.
Tech entrepreneur and investor Ben Parr has also encountered curious individuals who want to try on the Apple Vision Pro. Parr mentioned that people are amazed when they see the screen and realize they can see everyone around them. However, he plans to limit access to only friends moving forward.
Videos of Vision Pro users in public have flooded TikTok, with some users receiving funny looks or being parodied for their unusual appearance. However, there are also instances where users have walked into coffee shops wearing the device without eliciting any reaction from others.
The Vision Pro features a single, thick band on the back of the head, connecting a large, sleek screen that sits over the eyes. DailyMail.com’s senior science reporter Matthew Phelan described feeling “silly” while using the device until he realized that there were many other people using it as well.
As the technology gains popularity, acceptable etiquette for using the Vision Pro in public will likely develop. The device offers users the option to adjust the level of immersive experience, seamlessly transitioning between actual reality and the digital experience. For new dad Anshel Sag, the device provides entertainment while his one-month-old daughter naps on his chest. However, he draws the line at using it in front of his partner, finding it too isolating. His wife, Talia Sag, on the other hand, sees it as an opportunity to spend time together while watching different shows.
The Apple Vision Pro has undoubtedly sparked curiosity and attention among the public. As more users embrace this innovative technology, society will need to adapt and establish norms for its usage in various settings.