NEWS  Apple  January 17, 2024  Reading time: 2 Minute(s)

Max (RS editor)

As the highly anticipated Apple Vision Pro gears up for its official launch on February 2, early reports from pre-launch testers have raised concerns regarding its weight, comfort, and even instances of headaches. Apple's foray into spatial computing has been met with both excitement and apprehension, as reviewers from Engadget and The Verge share their hands-on experiences with the revolutionary headset.

Weight and Comfort Challenges

Engadget's Cherlynn Low and The Verge’s Victoria Song recently had the opportunity to test the production-ready units of the Apple Vision Pro. Unfortunately, their experiences were far from ideal, with both journalists expressing discomfort within a short timeframe. Low reported feeling "weighed down by the device" within 15 minutes, progressing to pain shortly thereafter. Song, on the other hand, noted feeling the weight of the headset and the onset of a mild headache after a 30-minute demo. These revelations pose a potential hurdle for Apple, considering the imminent release of the product.

Apple's Vision for Spatial Computing

Apple CEO Tim Cook has positioned the Vision Pro as a groundbreaking product heralding the "era of spatial computing". While previous VR and AR headsets fall under the spatial computing umbrella, Apple aims to redefine and broaden the term with its latest offering. The Vision Pro is expected to set a new standard for immersive experiences, bridging the gap between reality and virtual environments.

Mixed Experiences with Immersive Features

Despite the comfort issues, testers did acknowledge the immersive experiences offered by the Vision Pro. Meditation sessions were particularly enjoyable, showcasing the potential for creating engaging and relaxing content. Hand-tracking and gesture controls were praised for their effectiveness. However, the device fell short in work-oriented tasks, as noted by Engadget's Dana Wollman, who reported a subpar virtual keyboard experience during a Safari demo, as also reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman some days ago.

Commercial Viability and Pricing

The success of AR/VR headsets in the consumer market has been limited thus far. The Vision Pro, with its hefty $3,500 price tag, aims to break that trend. However, skepticism remains, as past performance does not guarantee future success. Apple enthusiasts can pre-order the headset starting January 19, with in-store fitting and demo experiences lasting at least 40 minutes. Initial availability is limited to the US, with a global launch planned for 2025.

As the Apple Vision Pro prepares to enter the hands of early adopters, concerns raised by testers regarding weight, comfort, and headaches cast a shadow on its potential success. Apple's ambitious foray into spatial computing is met with mixed reviews, emphasizing the need for the tech giant to address these issues before the product's wide release.

Note: This article is based on pre-launch reports and may not fully represent the consumer experience once the Apple Vision Pro is officially released.

 NEWS SOURCE: ENGADGET / THE VERGE | COVER IMAGE BY FREEPIK / REVIEW SPACE | PRODUCT IMAGES: APPLE