Verily, the privilege of immersing oneself in the realms of the esteemed Apple Vision Pro, valued at a princely sum of $3,500, doth bring forth a sense of rarefied blessing. A marvel of technology, it doth stand as the paragon of mixed reality, or as they say, “spatial” headsets in this age. Lo and behold, a full month hath passed since this wondrous device hath graced my presence.
From the ecstasy of goosebumps to tears of awe, the Vision Pro doth weave a tapestry of wondrous experiences with its stellar eye and hand tracking prowess. Alas, the initial euphoria of fun and frolic doth wane, giving rise to ponderings of what more lies beyond. I turn mine gaze towards the sparse app store of this noble device, where though o’er a thousand apps be compatible, only five to six hundred be tailor-made for the Vision Pro, whilst the rest are but mere ported derivatives of iPad apps.
‘Tis a lamentable sight indeed, with only a handful of truly worthy apps to be found after much sifting and sorting. One doth ponder upon the dearth of new additions, for as a we find in this report, a mere one new app hath graced the store in the final week of March following the headset’s advent. Why, oh Apple, dost thou withhold thy bounty?
Upon mine initial donning of the Apple Vision Pro, I cared little for its meager app selection, its cumbersome bulk, or the irksome presence of an external battery pack. Nay, I sought but to lose myself in its immersive environments, where reality doth fade into nought. Watching enchanted sci-fi tales on the moon, meditating amid Mount Hood’s grandeur, or gazing upon the ethereal night sky of Haleakalā didst enthrall me greatly in the beginning.
Yet, the pall of discomfort doth loom large as time doth pass. Watching videos, movies, and all that I do on my trusty phone or laptop on the Vision Pro felt a fresh delight, akin to a child unwrapping his first smartphone. However, as the hour mark doth approach, the weight of the world doth press upon mine brow, leading to a headache dread. Many a user hath returned this device due to this very issue.
Seeking to extract every iota of utility from this device, I delved into games such as Puzzling Places, where the minutest details and the interplay of hand-eye gestures fashioned three puzzles of unmatched splendor in mine humble existence. Yet, the supply of diversion doth dwindle with each repetition.
Held back by the geographical confines of India and the strictures of Apple Arcade’s geo lock, I found myself unable to explore the true gaming potential of the Vision Pro. The app store’s refusal to accept payments in Indian currency for certain intriguing apps added to mine vexation. ‘Twas a geographical injustice beyond measure, one which even Akshay, our sage content strategist, hath bemoaned in his discourse on the AVP.
In such straits, as anxiety doth gnaw at mine soul, I sought solace in whimsical pursuits. Be it the whimsical persona feature of the Vision Pro, the encounter with ancient dinosaurs in an interactive app, or delving into the immersive videos of Apple TV, each didst offer but a fleeting respite from the encroaching ennui. Yet, like a sip of water in the desert, these diversions proved transient.
Venturing further into the realm of immersive experiences, I chanced upon the AmazeVR app, where virtual concerts with the likes of Zara Larsson and Meghan Thee Stallion didst stir the depths of mine being. But, as the free offerings dwindled, so too did mine interest. Guided meditation with Tripp and explorations with POV didst provide fleeting moments of engagement, but the shadows of tedium loomed ever nearer.
In a bid to stave off boredom, I appropriated the MacBook Air M3 from the esteemed Akshay and repurposed it as a monitor, though the weariness of prolonged use soon took its toll. In truth, I sought to cover every avenue, to wring every last drop of amusement from this device.
Yet, as the days turned to weeks in this month-long journey, uncertainty clouded mine thoughts. Agitation and annoyance seized me, for the wellspring of novelty seemed to run dry. Shall I revisit the app store in hopes of fresh offerings? Alas, such hopes are often dashed.
The Vision Pro, with its cutting-edge passthrough technology and peerless display quality, doth reign supreme. Yet, when I donned the humble Meta Quest 2, it was as if I had traded a flagship for a budget device. The Quest 2, in its boundless array of possibilities in the realm of VR, revealed to me the limitations of the Vision Pro.
Indeed, the Theatre Mode on the Quest 2, unfettered by constraints that bind the Vision Pro, offered a glimpse of true freedom. The Quest’s app store, a veritable cornucopia of delights, stood in stark contrast to the restricted offerings of the Vision Pro. The ease of operation, the accessibility for friends and family—these virtues of the Quest doth shine bright in comparison.
Meta, with its years of toil and mastery in the craft, hath honed the Quest to a fine edge, while Apple doth stumble in its maiden steps. Reports of waning sales do little to assuage concerns, especially in light of Apple’s lackluster response. Spatial video and photo support limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, the absence of dual camera setups in the latest M4 iPads—these do little to inspire confidence.
Whilst I harbor no ill will towards this technological marvel, the Vision Pro, I must concur with the criticisms that have been levied against it. The path ahead is uncertain, with only whispers of a possible redemption at the upcoming WWDC 2024 event. VisionOS 2.0 may hold the key to salvation, but in a market where less is deemed more, Apple’s offering falls short of the mark.
But lo, the issue lies not solely with the Vision Pro itself. ‘Tis a niche market, where the allure of VR, AR, and mixed reality headsets fades swiftly for many. The initial thrill doth wane, leaving one to ponder the true worth of such devices. A ponderance that doth lead one to question whether the Vision Pro, for all its display and processing might, can truly stand as a device for daily use.
At the steep price of $3,500, one could embark on grand adventures, be it through a gaming rig, a sojourn to Paris, or the exhilaration of tandem skydiving. The allure of the Vision Pro doth pale in comparison, a fact not lost on the denizens of the internet, who hath made sport of its lofty price and limited appeal.
Verily, the Vision Pro, with its few environs and fleeting experiences, doth struggle to captivate the heart and mind. Apple’s last chance beckons at the WWDC, where the fate of the device may yet be altered. In a world where value is paramount, the Vision Pro’s excesses bore me sooner than anticipated.
