what the fanboys don’t tell you

Expected for years, the Apple Vision Pro is finally official and almost here. Indeed, it will be necessary to wait until 2024 before seeing the Californian firm completely take the turn of mixed reality. Some media have already been able to discover the one that is set to become Apple’s next flagship product. For this, however, you have to comply with the very strict rules of the apple brand.

No photo and tests in a private room

If you can’t find images of the Vision Pro in action, that’s normal. Neither Tim Cook nor any other Apple executive has been photographed with the headphones on. A surprising decision to which we have also devoted an article.

The choice can be justified, but it does not only concern the leaders of the brand. The media who were able to discover the helmet were not authorized to take photos or film themselves with the Vision Pro. “Unfortunately I can’t show you any of this because everyone has been banned from recording anything”says Zoe Kleinman, of the BBC. As Business Insider indicates, even the famous youtubeur Marques Brownlee (17 million subscribers) tells his experience in front of the camerafeaturing Apple’s demo videos.

Regarding the test conditions, the 30-minute demonstrations take place behind closed doors. A temporary room has been specially set up by Apple for the occasion.

One of the most interesting returns is that of Joanna Stern of the Wall Street Journal. The American journalist is enthusiastic and explains that “this is by far the best helmet that exists”. “But it’s still a helmet” she tempers.

I got to try out Apple’s Vision Pro this afternoon. It is by far the best headset out there. But it’s still a headset. https://t.co/xWgaDXqudb

— Joanna Stern (@JoannaStern) June 6, 2023

A discourse that we also find in End gadgetwhich speaks of a “new stage for mixed reality”, but ensures that problems remain. For Devindra Hardawar, he “it’s still just a mixed reality headset”. Note that its manufacturer is nevertheless doing everything to move away from it and presents the Vision Pro as a “space computer” rather than as a helmet or glasses.

Red mark on the forehead and problems during the test

In the video recounting her handling, Joanna Stern also explains: “At the end of the demonstration, the top of my nose and my forehead started to feel the weight”. She clarifies by posting a photo of her when she took off the helmet. We can see red marks on his forehead and nose.

While many of the reviews mention a comfortable headset for long sessions, the journalist seems a little less enthusiastic. And this is not the only problem encountered during this grip. She explains that she felt the weight of the helmet during the test, as well as nausea. According to Apple, the discomfort encountered can be explained by the limited number of “joints” during the test. These are elements that adapt the helmet to your face, remember Business Insider. At launch, Apple would offer more options to adapt to all body types.

France infowho was also able to discover the helmet, evokes for his part “the weight of technology”. “Even if it is rather comfortable to wear, the helmet – which should be tightened a minimum so that it does not fall and does not let light through – exerts a certain pressure on the face”, explains Antony Jammot, deputy digital editor of Franceinfo. Marques Browlee also indicates that the helmet is heavy and he wonders during prolonged use.

Comfort remains one of the big concerns of helmet manufacturers. This is also what explains Apple’s decision to use an external battery, so as not to make its Vision Pro too heavy. In the past, several journalists had reported red marks on their faces after testing the Oculus Rift. More recently, Facebook had to react after finding that the Oculus Quest 2 could irritate the skin.

Those who have approached the Vision Pro may react differently. Nevertheless, these cases of redness or pressure on the face appear when the test was carried out in a very strict framework.

Doubts relegated to the background

Yet these elements are being swept away by the excitement generated by Apple’s latest technological feat. Most reviews agree on the quality of the experience offered and the firm’s faculty has taken the XR to new heights. And there is no reason to doubt it.

However, this should not make us forget that we will still have to wait before getting a more precise idea of ​​the Vision Pro. This 30-minute demonstration, subject to the rules of a brand, was there to show the helmet at its best. It offers a warm welcome to his new project and relegates – for the moment – ​​the questions raised by certain testers to the background.

Even the opinion of Tony Fadell is only very little relayed in the media. Nicknamed the “Father of the iPod”, the legendary Apple engineer assures that the Vision Pro is a “technological feat”. Nevertheless, he is critical of the very « grand public » a $3,500 helmet.

Apple’s Vision Pro is a technological Tour de Force – very impressive HW.

But with the “consumer” apps & marketing for $3500 w/ 2 hour battery life, Apple has truly “Jumped The Shark”https://t.co/4Qum45wauQhttps://t.co/Htwx4KPl3E https://t.co/NbAWlijQ8Z

— Tony Fadell (@tfadell) June 6, 2023

He also criticizes the two-hour battery life, adding that apps and marketing pitch are “horrible”. The Vision Pro doesn’t seem to circumvent the issues faced by its competitors. “Platforms do not become useful products. Useful products become platforms…”concludes Tony Fadell.

It’s has truly nothing to do with 2hr battery life. The apps & marketing pitch is awful even if it had 24 HR battery life…. This is not a painkiller.
Platforms don’t become useful products. Useful products become platforms… https://t.co/JXRCv0XaDS

— Tony Fadell (@tfadell) June 6, 2023

Impressive on paper, the Vision Pro wants to take mixed reality to new heights. The fact that a giant like Apple is interested in this subject is also very good news for the sector. Despite this, we note that the analysts are cautious about Apple’s new ambitions.

For lovers of new technologies that we are, there is much to be enthusiastic about. Nevertheless, it is important to keep your feet on the ground and not your head in the stars with virtual reality. The novelty effect and the speech of a brand appreciated by many tech players should not make them lose all objectivity.