It’s 1983. Apple introduces its groundbreaking computer — the Macintosh. It’s much smaller than previous computers and can sit on top of a desk. By 1987, the company sells 1 million units. Crazy, right?
Now, fast forward to 2007. Steve Jobs launches the first iphone. This piece of technology is so revolutionary, it fits the entire computing power of a computer into your hand and pocket. And while this technology is great, people dream of the day when they’ll be able to control applications by swishing their hands in the air.
Well, look no further. The future is here.
For those of you that have had a VR set in the past, you might be wondering — how’s this any different than any other VR set? Well, the short answer is it’s more interactive. You can control all your apps with your hands and make the world your desktop.
Now, here are some of the key features:
- Two high-resolution screens: one for each eye, for a more immersive experience. This gives the feeling of depth.
- Numerous sensors: includes 3D cameras, lidar scanners, and infrared sensors, for tracking your movements and environment.
- New M2 and R1 chip: designed for the sheer power of AR headsets.
- Availability: Early 2024 or late 2023. The price will be around $3,500.
- Seamless design: designed to be comfortable and lightweight, with a sleek, minimalist design.
- Immersive experience: The high-resolution screens and powerful sensors provide a truly immersive VR/AR experience.
- Portability: The headset is standalone and portable, so you can take it with you wherever you go, including long airplane trips. What’s the catch? Well, there’s a portable battery you have to carry in your pocket. And it only lasts about 2 hours/charge. A bit limiting…
Also, keep in mind: this VR set won’t just be an extension of your iPhone. This is a completely separate product Apple is launching.
Some uses for the Vision Pro include:
- Gaming: The headset could be used to provide a more immersive and realistic experience.
- Virtual tourism: Users can explore different places around the world without leaving their home.
- Education: The headset could be used for education, providing students with a more interactive, hands-on way to learn.
- Work: The headset could be used for maximizing productivity, where you can manage meetings and your tasks all in the same space.
The Drawbacks
Now, as exciting and futuristic as this may seem, it has countless drawbacks, many of which we might not even think are possible right now. For example, as iPhones slowly became more widespread, students also began taking them to school. Now, if they do the same with these new headsets in the future, this can become a significant hindrance to classroom learning. Look out the teachers!
Moreover, some point to the fact that when people can immerse themselves in an artificial reality, they’ll be less likely to socialize, including with family, which can be dangerous. With social interactions decreasing and people preferring to stick to themselves, loneliness could skyrocket.
Now, don’t even get me started on the Health drawbacks. Over 70% of Americans age 18 and up already need some form of vision correction. So, slapping a device an inch to your eyes isn’t going to help that.
Take a moment to reflect on something. How much are you distracted by your phone? Chances are you’re quite distracted. Every time a notification rings, you’re tempted to take out your phone and see what it is. But now, imagine this happening every living second of your life. This isn’t going to decrease distractions, nor will it increase ever-decreasing attention spans.
Final Thoughts
We’ve seen movies like The Avengers where superheroes use a holographic computer interface and AI to manage tasks. Part of what makes this technology so exciting, along with the fact that it’s pushing the boundaries of reality, is that we’re stepping in that futuristic direction. But then, we must consider the impact this can have on not just our social and emotional health, but also our mental and physical health. Don’t think I’m strictly against this tech. All I’m saying is to take everything with a grain of salt and be careful not to lose sight of actual reality when experiencing the realms of artificial reality.
