Right now, it doesn't mean much. The WebXR implementation is disabled by default and turning it on requires digging deep into system settings... and when enabled, it's very buggy, incomplete, and annoying (you have to respond to 2-4 consent popups every time it activates, and it won't save or remember your prior approvals).
Sure, WebXR has stagnated for the last few years, but the Vision Pro absolutely demonstrates the necessity of a mature web-based XR ecosystem... especially given how aggressive Apple is at maintaining their app distribution monopoly.
Both straps are horrible for anything but short-term use (under 1hr). I wore mine for almost every waking hour this weekend, and it proved my fears were well-founded.
While the light seal and cushion ARE very comfy, there is still a significant amount of pressure on your face at all times, no matter which strap you use. The dual-loop strap helps prevent slippage, but it is NOT any more comfortable than the default strap... because both rely on facial pressure to keep the thing in place.
Secondly, because none of the straps have any kind of counterweight, there is the constant pull of gravity on the front of your head. Over time, this results in SIGNIFICANT neck strain. The back of my neck still aches.
I've since dug out my homemade battery pouch strap from the Quest days and attached that to the back of the dual loop. It originally held an Anker battery and the AVP battery fits perfectly. That makes a world of difference in comfort since you no longer have all this front weight forcing your neck muscles to hold it up.
It's obvious Apple chose aesthetics over comfort here. The "weight" of the headset is less important than it's distribution... and having all the weight on the front of your head was a huge mistake.
Considering every post making this point has said as much it doesn't seem that crazy. It's not the first time they've made you make appointments to shop. They did it during Covid for normal shopping, too. Considering the fact that this is more involved than just grabbing a box from the back, there's a finite number they can do in store in a day. You can still walk up and see if they have room for you. It worked during the pandemic.
It will only be a real limitation if demand is significantly larger than supply, which is possible, but far from a certainty with an expensive niche product that most people don't know enough to distinguish from the quest yet.
Hop on a treadmill/stationary bike/stair-stepper and you are now hiking in a scenic outdoor location, but still aware of the equipment.
Hop on a rowing machine and you are in a boat on a river.
Or just put your PC/PS5/etc screen on a wall above your equipment and do some gaming while you work out.
Productivity:
Infinite monitor space. You can place any window anywhere, not confined to a physical monitor.
The above, but you can do it anywhere at any time.
Privacy:
Nobody can see what you are doing. Get sensitive tasks done on the train, in a coffee shop, wherever without worrying about spying eyes.
Immersive Entertainment:
Desktop class real-time graphics in extremely high resolution running natively on-device.
3D movies, photos, and home videos.
Improved Reality:
Use environments to replace your physical surroundings with something more zen and conducive to productivity.
Overlay reality with whatever you want - replace ceilings, walls, anything with something virtual that is INDISTINGUISHABLE from reality. Cater your physical reality - no matter where you are - to your own tastes.
Mind you, Vision Pro is 100% a first-gen, early-access, janky product and nobody without long-term plans to invest in the technology should buy one (unless you are rich and just want it as a new pricey toy). But mark my words, in 5-7 years this tech is going to be every bit as ubiquitous as smart phones are right now. Apple just happened to be the first to put the pieces together into something useful and meaningful... and even this version barely scratches the surface of what is possible.
The article itself is a pretty reasonable summary of the headset’s capabilities, but that headline is bollocks.
If Vision is post anything then it’s post Mac. It’s a destination device, it’s something you’ll use when you get to a place. No one is going to wear a headset in the queue for the bus, you’ll still have a phone for mobile computing.
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