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Apple Says Vision Pro Could Be Used for Surgeries, Technical Training and More
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People here - and most other online places - seemingly have an expert opinion about everything and are convinced their point of view is superior to, well you know, actual experts.
How would you even know that? It’s not even released yet (just). Just because it’s not for you, it doesn’t mean it won’t be a game changer. Everyone… I’ll repeat that… EVERYONE who has actually used it says it’s a game changer. But you’d know better, right?
Wow. I used it daily when I was working as a crime scene investigator for the last 8 years in the job. And then I retired, and used it daily as a real estate photographer. Now I have finished doing that, I use it daily to… um…. Be productive on Macrumors! 😃
Stagnant growth? Hmmm. Okay. The only innovation coming from other companies is AI, and none in hardware whatsoever. Apple are at least trying to innovate in this space. And we are actually yet to find out how this will end.
Can you imagine this being integrated into remote piloting as another example. Probably years away, but we know Apple. They always have years of development ready on the white board.
Watching and viewing content is its main advertised purpose, yes. As well as the reason most normal people would ever buy this thing
Like many, I’m skeptical about the product as a commercial success in the consumer space, largely because of the price. But I think people who are already writing it off completely as a solution waiting for a problem should remember that whilst this is basically just another headset, it is a much more capable one than anything else currently available in the market. Maybe the reason other headsets have failed to find significant use is because of their limitations. Time will tell. Apple doesn’t burn billions on development and waste time that could have been used on other projects without good reason. They believe it’s going to be huge enough to make a return on their investment. Looking at their balance sheet, I’d say they get that right more than they get it wrong.
However successful AVP could (possibly) become, it won't be this AVP. It will be AVP 2, or 3, or 15...
With hospital budgets and educational budgets constrained, it is going to be a hard sell to get them to use expensive Apple hardware and expensive devices. The qualities of the screens may give for a more clear and defined picture/image BUT if it comes with an expensive price tag it will be overlooked for cheaper alternatives.
An example of this is computer monitors and graphic cards that produce 1080p and 4K. Video and images coming out of a 4K graphics card onto a 4K monitor are very clear, sharp and extremely good colour definition. Whilst it would be nice to afford such hardware to get the much better quality in visuals, a 1080p graphics card and monitor whilst no where near as good as 4K is still good enough to display good visuals and the hardware comes at a much much cheaper price than those of 4K. Therefore do I need 4K in my life? it would certainly be nice but 1080p is more than capable for my needs. This will be the same principle for hospitals and educational establishments, do they need the better visuals of a Vison Pro or can they make do with the current visual qualities of current VR devices.
Just because Apple say their VP maybe/could be used in the areas they suggested, it does not mean that people in those areas are going to jump at the chance of getting a VP.
An example of this is computer monitors and graphic cards that produce 1080p and 4K. Video and images coming out of a 4K graphics card onto a 4K monitor are very clear, sharp and extremely good colour definition. Whilst it would be nice to afford such hardware to get the much better quality in visuals, a 1080p graphics card and monitor whilst no where near as good as 4K is still good enough to display good visuals and the hardware comes at a much much cheaper price than those of 4K. Therefore do I need 4K in my life? it would certainly be nice but 1080p is more than capable for my needs. This will be the same principle for hospitals and educational establishments, do they need the better visuals of a Vison Pro or can they make do with the current visual qualities of current VR devices.
Just because Apple say their VP maybe/could be used in the areas they suggested, it does not mean that people in those areas are going to jump at the chance of getting a VP.
Yet this entire thread is about something different. And they mention watching (3D) content once on their entire page devoted to it. https://www.apple.com/apple-vision-pro/
Like I said. Entirely missing the point of it. Almost all of their advertising is devoted to spatial use of Apps.
The reality is we all have differing opinions. We shall see, when we see.
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Not only that. Most of those enterprises already would have been able to use something like Microsoft HoloLens if they had a need. Which would have come from an ecosystem they are most likely already invested in.
So yeah, I'm skeptical. But we'll see.
One more time, as I've said many times here, being able to simply create multiple virtual large displays in your living room for computing is NOT AR. AR is not limited to solving problems in the computing world, or to provide entertainment. It's a tool.
An example of AR, as I've said in the past here, would be a home/building architect being able to take a client on a walkthrough of home design he/she created for the purpose of securing their approval. The client and architect would be able to go through the home "walking" into each room, looking around (and up and down) while sitting in the architect's office.
The same could apply to a couple reviewing and approving a landscape design with a landscape architect. And also apply to an interior decorator with clients checking out and approving furniture/carpet/lighting/paint choices with a client, and making on the spot changes, as needed.
AR can and is used for industrial plant inspections, being able to call up documents and operating instructions while doing the inspection.
I've also mentioned that AR is used, in general (not suggesting that will be the case with AVP), in multiple types of surgical procedures, such as cardiothroracic surgery. But from a recent story in MR, apparently that's something Apple may be thinking about.
Auto insurance adjusters can used AR for quickly and accurately accessing auto damage for the purpose of producing a repair estimate.
The possibilities go on and on. The above is a small sample of how AR can be used.
Over the last 2-3 years I've listed a dozen or two other examples of how AR can help solve problems in multiple disciplines. If you care to take the time of doing a little of your own research you will be able to come up with your own. Go for it!
You're going to get a couple of paragraphs of text of how to do it, not an augmented video of where to cut. AI has trouble identifying street signs/stairs in video/pictures.
And to add to that. Being able to make active changes to Landscaping, or architecture.
And going further than surgery, It could further be used in repairs on things like the ISS where it’s super dangerous to do it by hand. And as you said, the list goes on and on.
I think the "problem" here is many people invest a huge chunk of their time trying to come up with reasons why a new Apple product (iPod, iPhone, iPad, Watch, AirPods, etc) will flop. Instead of letting their imaginations and creativity wander a bit, doing a little research, and coming up with ideas about how new tech from Apple can be beneficially used in one's life.
That's really sad, imo.
Totally agree. To me it doesn’t take a lot to listen to those who have actually used it like MKBHD on 3 separate occasions who talks about the negatives and the positives and he is anything but a fanboy. The potential for this device (it’s only in Version 1.0) is ground breaking.
The Watch is the number 1 selling watch in the world, and it’s driving iPhone sales now. Do any phones other than iPhones have Satellite SOS? AirPods completely altered the earbud market. CarPlay, iTunes…. When Apple go bold, they continually change the market, and I have no doubt the Vision Pro will do the same.
If I were a hiring manager at Apple... one of the interview steps in assessing potential engineering new-hires would be to give them a sheet of paper and a pencil. And then ask them to come up with as many uses for AVP in the context of AR possibilities, within a 20 minute period.
If they could come up with at least eight or ten (that at least somewhat made sense) they get to go on to the next stage of the interviewing process. I realize that's a bit of a low bar, but I'm taking into account being nervous, etc.
I have seen devices much less sophisticated than this used successfully for AR training of engine maintenance of mining excavators (just one example). Anyone who can’t see the commercial applications of this product clearly needs to turn off League of Legends and come up from their mom’s basement.
I work in a medical setting (academic medical center). VR and AR are already being used for training purposes at the medical center I'm affiliated with. There are a lot of researchers and clinicians who are excited about the possibilities this will offer for training purposes. Use during medical procedures will quickly follow.
Trials at institutions during surgeries withing AR have already been done with other devices: https://bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-021-04339-w
Johns Hopkins Performs Its First Augmented Reality Surgeries in Patients
The technology used by the physicians for the augmented reality surgeries consisted of a headset with a see-through eye display that projects images of the patient’s internal anatomy such as bones and other tissue based on CT scans — essentially giving the surgeons X-ray vision.
The potential benefits of the AVP for training and surgery isn't just hypothetical or just seeing what sticks. Being involved in healthcare is a major interest to Apple.
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I hope Tim Apple realizes that with such a small install base the key to its success in these grand new areas will be the software existing, being profitable for developers, and being affordable for users.
Apple MUST take an active role in midwifery to ensure as many great apps as possible are successfully released, and more than any other platform before- Apple MUST themselves release new killer apps galore.
Not just gimmick content; making Vision Pro ubiquitous and long-tailed means they have to do for VR/AR what they have failed to do for gaming on the Mac. It is not enough to build the best CPU/GPU- they have to pretend they are a first party console maker/developer and release and coordinate the release of a prolific amount of AAA content.
If it’s coming out and it’s hype and it’s missing from your device- it better be because it’s XBOX/PS5/ETC exclusive! And they have to prove it on all fronts. The amount and quality of apps needs to prove the concept in every area- but especially productivity and gaming.
It’s going to sell out no matter what. But I don’t want to see them repeat their favorite missteps along the way and leave this thing a novelty.
Apple MUST take an active role in midwifery to ensure as many great apps as possible are successfully released, and more than any other platform before- Apple MUST themselves release new killer apps galore.
Not just gimmick content; making Vision Pro ubiquitous and long-tailed means they have to do for VR/AR what they have failed to do for gaming on the Mac. It is not enough to build the best CPU/GPU- they have to pretend they are a first party console maker/developer and release and coordinate the release of a prolific amount of AAA content.
If it’s coming out and it’s hype and it’s missing from your device- it better be because it’s XBOX/PS5/ETC exclusive! And they have to prove it on all fronts. The amount and quality of apps needs to prove the concept in every area- but especially productivity and gaming.
It’s going to sell out no matter what. But I don’t want to see them repeat their favorite missteps along the way and leave this thing a novelty.
Yeah I should have added about two zeroes to that. That’s why I say minimum, and just the per user licensing cost. No doubt the cost will be eye watering for the first software that actually does this. Of course, the cost of surgery is eye watering in the first place.
Definitely training though. I can see that being something that does happen. I don’t think anyone wants to be the first one to take the chance of wearing this thing while cutting into an actual human being.
Well sure. They knew what they wanted it to do. And it still does most of those things. But the iPhone was successful because of the software applications. It wasn’t even supposed to have those, so their original concept changed quite quickly.
I don’t think it’s fair to say that Apple doesn’t know how it will be used. But if they really intend it to be as successful as the iPhone or the Mac, I don’t think they know what that’s really going to look like once it’s out there and matured. And smartphones were more mature even then than VR is today.
I suppose you do make a good point, that doesn’t directly address what you said, I think we just disagree. Apple does seem to be making a good use case for high-end business productivity and entertainment. It’s not a broad use case, but it is a specific use case. They know what it will be used for on launch day, but they also better be ready to be wrong about some things they thought they knew.
The original iPhone was iterated on very quickly. The iPhone 4 was miles ahead of the original iPhone even though in concept it was not that different. I expect the same here. As long as they have a solid foundation, which we don’t know quite yet, I think they are fine starting off with a limited use case and letting the market tell them what they want from there.
If only those companies didn’t waste time and resources disabling the apps that were already compatible to spite Apple and antagonize subscribers.
Now you’ll just have to use Safari to watch Netflix, YouTube, and listen to Spotify.
Perhaps you misinterpreted the phrase "stagnant growth," by which I mean "stagnant EARNINGS growth." That is a demonstrable metric, not an opinion. There's no question that Apple has many initiatives in white papers, and on lab desks. Most will never see the light of day. That means the few that do have to be home runs. Folding phones, tablets and laptops are not going to generate growth. Gigapixel cameras with 300X telephoto lenses won't either. EARNINGS growth will come from either expansion of high margin services, AI integration with non-Apple hardware, or something no one has brought to market before, something we don't know we need until we try it.
It’s not just floating 2D windows. How many $50 projectors will it take to accomplish something like this:
JigSpace is in the driver’s seat - Discover - Apple Developer
The company is leaning on the new platform to create avenues of creativity and collaboration never before possible.
As a daily iPad Pro user for very productive workflows (no longer using my iMac for daily use), I agree wholeheartedly.
Apple computers anre also growing YoY every year while the rest of the PC market shrinks every single year, while also becoming the #1 phone manufacturer globally (by both volume and profit). I don’t think these people know what “growth” is.
The above image is ridiculous.
Apple executives believe the Vision Pro has a number of enterprise applications, from advanced technical training to use in operating rooms, according to a video sent out to employees.
The video, which features Apple's Mike Rockwell and Alan Dye, both of whom are involved in the development of the device, discusses the development of the Vision Pro and what it might be used for in the future. Bloomberg received a transcript of the video, and shared details on the information included.
"Oftentimes, surgeons struggle to look at displays during procedures, where information is spread out," Rockwell said. "Apple Vision Pro could bring all of that together and hopefully improve patient outcomes."
Rockwell said that technicians or aircraft mechanics could use the Vision Pro for "high-quality training" that hasn't been possible before, and he said that Apple is "excited" about the opportunities in learning and education. "We strived to make a product that was a tool, not a toy," said Rockwell.
According to Bloomberg, two employees under Rockwell are responsible for discovering new applications for the Vision Pro. One is exploring enterprise uses for the device, while the other is looking into potential education opportunities.
Finding enterprise uses for the headset could be key to its success, given the high price of the device. The Vision Pro starts at $3,500, which puts it out of the reach of some consumers.
Article Link: Apple Says Vision Pro Could Be Used for Surgeries, Technical Training and More
