Upgrade 488: The New Numbers - James Thomson joins Jason to celebrate Cyber Monday, discuss subscription burnout, explore spatial videos and visionOS development, and talk about the challenges of running big sales and experiments on products.
Subscription burnout highlights the need for companies to carefully consider their pricing strategies and the value they offer to consumers in order to maintain customer loyalty and prevent churn.
The current limitations of spatial videos in terms of quality and depth capture may hinder their widespread use, as regular 2D videos shot in 4K at higher frame rates still offer a more immersive visual experience.
Deep dives
Subscription Burnout
As subscription prices continue to rise, many people are experiencing subscription burnout. Services like Netflix and Adobe have been increasing their rates, making it difficult for users to justify the cost. The constant price hikes, along with the introduction of ads in some subscription plans, have led to frustration and dissatisfaction among consumers. As a result, many are reevaluating their subscriptions and questioning whether they really need multiple services or if they can find more affordable alternatives. This trend of subscription burnout highlights the need for companies to carefully consider their pricing strategies and the value they offer to consumers in order to maintain customer loyalty and prevent churn.
Spatial Videos and their Limitations
Spatial videos, shot on an iPhone and viewed on an Oculus Quest, provide a 3D effect but sacrifice overall video quality. While close-up shots with depth elements in the foreground can enhance the 3D effect, regular 2D videos shot in 4K at higher frame rates still offer a more immersive visual experience. The current limitations of spatial videos in terms of quality and depth capture may hinder their widespread use.
Vision Pro and its Impressive Technology
The Vision Pro is an impressive piece of technology with advanced features that surpass other headsets on the market. However, without a clear use case, its success remains uncertain. The software and developer APIs are commendable, but building complex 3D apps without access to a Vision Pro developer kit can be challenging. The simulator doesn't fully capture the immersive experience, and developers are waiting to see the killer app that will define the Vision Pro's appeal.
Future Prospects of the Vision Pro
While the Vision Pro boasts cutting-edge technology, its potential success relies on the emergence of compelling apps and experiences. Developers are eager to see how the platform evolves and what applications gain traction. The future of the Vision Pro will depend on the availability of exciting and innovative uses for the headset.
James Thomson joins Jason to celebrate Cyber Monday, generate an Apple Buying Guide, grapple with subscription (and human) burnout, and explore spatial videos and the current state of visionOS development.
This episode of Upgrade is sponsored by:
Memberful: Best-in-class membership software for independent creators, publishers, educators, podcasters, and more. Get started now, no credit card required.