Apple Vision Pro: A Developer's Perspective
As a developer, I wanted to explore the Apple Vision Pro's potential for daily tasks like coding and design. This article details my experience with the device, covering its user interface, features, build quality, and suitability for different workflows.
User Interface and General Experience
The user interface is intuitive and familiar, especially for Apple users.
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Eye tracking is used for hovering and selection.
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Tapping fingers selects the focused item.
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The bottom bar allows window manipulation: bringing windows closer or further, or closing them.
Navigating Safari, I found that I could bring the screen closer and use finger gestures or eye tracking to scroll. Resizing windows was also possible via the bottom right corner or eye tracking. I could even place a screen against the wall for a massive display.
Minor Technical Issues
The short cable and large battery pack presented some challenges. The magnetic grip occasionally detached, nearly causing me to drop the device.
Immersive Environments
One of the most appealing features is the ability to block out the real-world environment. Swiping a dial on the headset dims the surroundings and fades them into a virtual scene of my choice, like a lake with a forest. This feature would be great on an airplane.
Persistent Windows
Windows stay in place even if you move around. You can resize them and take them with you by looking at the bottom bar and tapping to hold it.
Build Quality and Design
Apple has created a futuristic device with impressive build quality.
Strap Issues and Alternatives
The included strap, while visually appealing and made of soft material, lacked proper support. I switched to the alternative strap with a band that goes over the head and back of the head which provided better support.
Connector and Cover
The proprietary connector for the battery pack is difficult to insert and results in a protruding cable. The provided cover fits snugly over the glass, protecting it during travel.
Using Vision Pro with a Laptop
The Vision Pro can function as a virtual second monitor for a laptop.
Connection and Display
Upon opening my laptop, a "connect" button appeared, enabling a virtual display of my desktop. The laptop screen then darkened to maintain privacy. This feature worked both at home on the same Wi-Fi and at a cafe on different networks.
Screen Size and Resolution
While positioning the virtual display on top of my laptop was interesting, the resolution wasn't as sharp as the physical screen. Placing it above my Apple Studio Display was a fun experiment, replicating the experience of using the physical display. The flexibility of the virtual space allows for customized setups. The screen can be resized and, with a future update, even curved and widened.
Coding and Multitasking
I could open additional apps alongside my desktop, such as a YouTube tutorial while coding. The laptop's mouse and keyboard worked seamlessly within the virtual space. The ability to move the virtual screen between desks encourages movement and prevents being locked in one location.
Coding Directly on Vision Pro
While a native VS Code app isn't available, you can use GitHub Codespaces in the web browser. However, this requires an external keyboard, making a laptop a more practical option.
Vision Pro in Public
I tested the Vision Pro in various settings, including a cafe. People were generally unfazed, treating me as "just some weirdo."
Public Use and Eye Contact
Connecting to my laptop worked seamlessly in the cafe, even using a personal hotspot. Apple's design displays your eyes on the front of the screen, which allows for more natural interactions. Even so, people may still find it a little odd.
Virtual Environments and Focus
The dial on top lets you switch to a virtual environment, allowing you to escape your surroundings. However, it raised the question of whether working from an office or home might be easier. The Vision Pro also allows you to dim the real-world environment.
Comparison with Other VR Devices
The Vision Pro is positioned as superior to the Meta Quest, but the experiences were similar. While the Vision Pro might have a higher resolution, programming was difficult because it's hard to see the whole screen in focus. Also, when designing and moving elements, I ended up using the mouse and keyboard anyway.
Day-to-Day Use for Development and Design
I used the Vision Pro for most of the day to perform typical development and design tasks.
Design Workflow
I preferred using my laptop as the primary interface for design, treating the Vision Pro as a large, hovering screen. This raised the question of whether a $6,000 device is worth it if it merely replicates a computer screen. In some ways, focusing on the pixels close up on a normal screen was preferable to the slightly blurry Vision Pro experience.
Windows Integration
Using an app called Duet, I connected to my Windows machine via Wi-Fi. This allowed me to replicate my desktop screen in the Vision Pro, including my ultra-wide Asus monitor.
Figma and Coding Experience
Figma was usable but less sharp than on a regular monitor. While the virtual setup mirrored my usual coding workflow (VS Code on the left, Figma on the right), the text was difficult to focus on. Bringing the screen closer or increasing the font size didn't fully resolve the issue. After an hour of use, I experienced a headache, which is something to consider for daily use.
Conclusion
The potential for multiple monitors and custom workspaces is appealing, but the experience can be overwhelming. While I found it a lot of fun to show off the Vision Pro as a tech demo, I don't think I would use it every day or even every week. Maybe it's a once a month thing.