The podcast discusses Apple's quarterly financial results, including positive growth for iPhone and Mac but decline for iPad and wearables. The hosts share their impressions of the Apple Vision Pro VR headset and discuss comfort and design of VR headset straps. They also talk about the eye and hand tracking capabilities of the Oculus Quest, Zoom's background feature, and the need for an API for immersive environments. Additionally, they mention using a 30-inch screen with a Mac, the ease of using the control center trick, and immersive videos on the Vision Pro. The episode concludes with their initial impressions and excitement about the future potential of the product.
The Apple Vision Pro offers impressive comfort and a visually stunning display, with minor limitations in field of view and Optic ID reliability.
The eye and hand tracking functionality of the Apple Vision Pro enhances the immersive user experience, despite occasional accuracy and tracking range issues.
Feedback is necessary for Apple to improve Optic ID training and recognition challenges in the Apple Vision Pro.
The Vision Pro provides an exceptional media experience, especially with 3D movies and spatial audio, potentially redefining how media is consumed.
The integration between Vision Pro and Mac offers a unique and efficient way of working, combining eye tracking with physical keyboard and trackpad.
Deep dives
Comfort and Hardware
The comfort of the Apple Vision Pro is impressive, especially when using the dual strap. The weight is noticeable at first, but becomes less of a concern over time. The design of the headset looks good and the screens are incredible, providing clear text and vibrant colors. The field of view could be wider, but it doesn't detract significantly from the overall experience.
Eye and Hand Tracking
The eye and hand tracking functionality is a key feature of the Apple Vision Pro. While there are occasional issues with accuracy and tracking range, it is generally satisfactory and enables a more immersive and intuitive user experience.
Optic ID and Hardware Issues
Some users have reported challenges with Optic ID, particularly during setup. Issues with Optic ID training and recognition may arise due to individual eye characteristics. It is hoped that Apple will receive feedback to improve these areas for a more reliable experience.
Overall Impression
Due to the magnitude and complexity of the Apple Vision Pro, it will take more time to fully form comprehensive opinions. However, the headset's comfort, impressive display, eye and hand tracking features, and overall user experience are promising, outweighing minor limitations such as field of view and Optic ID reliability.
Immersive Videos: A Truly Amazing Experience
The podcast discusses the immersive videos available on the Vision Pro, which offer a truly amazing experience. These videos are 3D and provide a 180-degree view, making you feel like you're in the scene. Examples include a woman walking across a line in a fjord, dinosaurs coming to life, and Alicia Keys singing. These videos are captured using a proprietary technology by Apple and are visually stunning. The podcast also speculates on the future of immersive content, such as live sports and the potential for interactive elements.
Media Experience: 3D Movies and Spatial Audio
The Vision Pro offers an exceptional media experience, particularly with 3D movies. Unlike traditional 3D movie screenings, the Vision Pro delivers full brightness to both eyes without the need for glasses, resulting in a visually stunning and immersive experience. The podcast highlights the appeal of watching 3D movies on the Vision Pro, mentioning the brightness and the absence of glasses as significant advantages. Additionally, spatial audio enhances the overall experience, providing an excellent sense of immersion. The podcast host mentions watching Avengers Endgame in 3D with spatial audio on the Vision Pro as an exceptional experience.
Future Potential: Expanded Use of Immersive Content
The podcast discusses the potential for expanded use of immersive content on the Vision Pro. It mentions possibilities such as live sports, F1 racing with live 3D maps, and the utilization of data to enhance the viewing experience. The podcast highlights the partnerships Apple has with NBA, MLB, and media partners like Disney, suggesting that collaboration in this area could lead to exciting developments in immersive content. The podcast also mentions the impressive 3D mapping capabilities of the MLB app, which allows for a unique viewing experience. Overall, the future prospects for immersive content on the Vision Pro are promising and may redefine how media is consumed.
Improvements needed in window persistence and text input
The podcast episode discusses the importance of improving window persistence and text input in Vision OS. The speaker highlights the inconvenience when windows are not retained after device reboots and emphasizes the need for the Mac-like feature to remember the previously opened windows. Additionally, the limitations and frustrations of text input through virtual keyboards are discussed, especially in terms of occlusion and confusion when dictating. The speaker suggests that using a physical keyboard or Mac's universal control feature improves text input experience.
Integration with Mac and multi-window support
The podcast episode explores the integration between Vision Pro and Mac, highlighting the ability to use Mac's keyboard and trackpad on Vision OS. The speaker explains that the combination of eye tracking and physical keyboard provides a unique and efficient way of working. Furthermore, the discussion revolves around universal control, where the trackpad seamlessly transitions from the Mac screen to Vision OS app, allowing for multitasking and a more immersive experience. The potential for multiple video players and windows running simultaneously is mentioned, although some bugs and technical issues are acknowledged that need improvement.
After a brief bit of DMA follow-up and a recap of Apple's quarterly financial results, the rest of the episode is all about our first few days with the Apple Vision Pro.
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