Adam Savage and Norm Chan discuss their experiences with the Apple Vision Pro after a year of use. They address common perceptions and share their perspectives on the device's strengths, weaknesses, and potential.
Initial Excitement and Expectations
Both Adam and Norm express that they were incredibly enthusiastic about the Apple Vision Pro's release. They followed its development closely, exchanging tips and tricks on how to maximize its use. They draw parallels to Apple's history of revolutionizing existing technologies, such as the iPod and iPhone, hoping the Vision Pro would do the same for VR/AR.
Apple's Track Record
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Apple has a history of redefining mature technologies.
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The hope was that the Vision Pro would elevate the VR/AR experience.
A Realistic Perspective
They acknowledge the Vision Pro's high cost and emphasize that they are not giving a purchase recommendation. Instead, they aim to share their personal experiences and insights gained from using the device over the past year. They also address the debate about the current state of VR, believing it is not dead but hasn't yet reached its full potential.
Key Takeaways
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The Vision Pro is an expensive device.
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They are not recommending it, just sharing their experiences.
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VR/AR technology is still evolving and has a bright future.
Primary Use Cases
Adam primarily uses the Vision Pro for content consumption, particularly watching movies. He also enjoys the Sky Guide app for immersive stargazing. Norm also finds the device great for watching movies, even preferring it to his high-end TV. He also takes the vision pro on any trip or plane ride to enjoy the device.
Adam's Top Uses
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Watching movies.
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Exploring the night sky with Sky Guide.
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Immersive rendered environments.
Norm's Top Uses
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Travel tool
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Movie watching
The Magic of Spatial Understanding
Adam highlights the Magic Room app as a standout, allowing users to visualize the lidar data captured by the Vision Pro. This provides a unique understanding of the physical space around them, essentially giving "x-ray vision." He describes how it helped him understand the spatial relationships within his house.
Magic Room App
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Visualizes lidar data.
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Creates a 3D model of the user's surroundings.
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Provides a new perspective on spatial relationships.
Co-working and Communication
Norm and Adam discuss the transformative experience of co-working using the Vision Pro's persona feature. The low latency and accurate sound triangulation create an uncanny yet effective sense of presence. Despite the avatars looking somewhat unusual, they found that it didn't hinder communication.
Co-working Features
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Low latency for real-time interaction.
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Accurate sound triangulation enhances presence.
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Avatar eye contact facilitates communication.
Addressing Comfort and Isolation
Adam mentions a significant issue he had with the initial setup: the feeling of isolation caused by the enclosed design and over-ear headphones. He switched to the Globular Cluster headset and AirPod Pros to mitigate this, appreciating the improved spatial awareness and integration with his surroundings. Norm has also experimented with third-party head straps to improve weight distribution and comfort.
Addressing Discomfort
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Original setup felt isolating.
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Globular Cluster headset and AirPod Pros improved spatial awareness.
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Third-party head straps offer improved ergonomics.
Pass-through Quality and Display Technology
Adam praises Apple's advancements in pass-through quality and the high-resolution displays, considering them essential for enjoyable computing and media consumption. He notes that the Vision Pro has raised the bar for VR/AR display technology.
Key Technological Advantages
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High-quality pass-through.
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High-resolution displays (near 4K).
Using the Vision Pro for Computing and Editing
Norm discusses using the Vision Pro with a Mac Mini for video editing, describing it as the "ultimate accessory." While not a laptop replacement, it provides a portable and immersive computing experience, especially with the ultra-wide mirroring feature.
Computing Setup
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Mac Mini as a companion device.
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Ultra-wide mirroring for an immersive monitor experience.
Input Methods and Future Improvements
Both agree that the Vision Pro's input methods, particularly the eye-tracking and tap gestures, are effective but could be improved. Adam mentions using a Magic Trackpad for tasks requiring precise control, such as navigating YouTube. They also anticipate further refinements in object recognition and world understanding.
Input Challenges
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Eye-tracking and tap gestures are good but not perfect.
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Trackpad provides more precise control for some tasks.
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Object recognition needs further development.
Final Thoughts and Immersive Experiences
Adam and Norm reiterate their appreciation for the Apple Vision Pro, highlighting its innovative design and immersive capabilities. They encourage viewers to share their own experiences and surprisingly immersive moments with the device. They specifically mentioned Apple's Immersive Media content, filmed in VR180, as being incredibly impressive. Adam also suggests a minor improvement for the external battery pack: a more detailed battery level indicator.
Concluding Remarks
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The Vision Pro is a beautifully designed and innovative device.
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Immersive Media content is highly impressive.
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Continued development and improvements are expected.