Day 4 experience with the Vision Pro in the UK

[josh bear]

Hi all,

I've had the Apple Vision Pro for four days now, and wanted to share my initial impressions which are mostly positive with a few areas of frustration. Starting with the displays, compared to the Pico 4 and the Pimax Crystal Headset, the clarity of the Vision Pro's displays is exceptional. Of course you would expect them to be and those headsets are not natural competitors and I use them for gaming. The inbuilt speakers deliver excellent sound quality, enhancing the immersive experience significantly. I also use AirPod Pro gen 2 (Lightning) with no issues and even better sound.

Using the headset has been a great experience so far. It's very intuitive and has worked seamlessly with my MacBook Pro. Viewing spatial videos and photos on this device is an out-of-this-world experience. For instance, I attended a Kylie concert in Hyde Park this weekend and captured spatial videos with my iPhone 15 Pro. When we watched them later, my daughter remarked that it was "like being there!"

Currently, my usage has been primarily focused on consuming media, especially movies and TV shows. Both the Apple TV and Disney+ apps are outstanding in terms of quality and the ability to tailor the viewing experience.

However, I do have some frustrations. The inability to reorganize the Home Screen is a letdown, although I understand this will be addressed in Vision OS 2. Guest mode is also quite fiddly and needs improvement. The headset's weight can be an issue, but adjusting the strap helps somewhat.

A key concern for me is whether my current usage justifies keeping the Vision Pro. While my iPad has become almost redundant, I still find myself reaching for my MacBook Pro as my primary device. Of course, it's only been four days, and I have another week or so to decide whether to return it. Lastly, there's a definite need for more apps. YouTube and Sky Go would be fantastic additions!

How are other new users getting on?

Josh

 

[shenfrey]

I agree with you, luckily vision os 2 we can move icons around on the Home Screen.

My biggest pet peeve bar none however is the FOV. Even with a 21w light seal, it’s just so tight and I envy the day where you can wear a Vision Pro and you get full visual clarity that takes up your entire peripheral vision.

 

[josh bear]

I agree with you, luckily vision os 2 we can move icons around on the Home Screen.

My biggest pet peeve bar none however is the FOV. Even with a 21w light seal, it’s just so tight and I envy the day where you can wear a Vision Pro and you get full visual clarity that takes up your entire peripheral vision.

Agree, that would be great on FOV. That said my current usage hasn't really provided me any issue with FOV, but more is always better. Last night I watched Infinity War in 3d, movie watching is a really epic experience. Going back to watch on a Mac or IPAD will be very hard if I decide to return the VP.

Becoming much more adept as navigation around the OS now and answering texts from my son whilst watching the movie in 3d highlighted the ability of the VP lenses. Also tried my first FaceTime call and I think I need to rescan my face as I was told I looked like an early Lord Voldemort! 🤣

Josh

 

[axantas]

I am not 20 anymore, I have seen a lot of novelties in my life, I tried all kind of 3D goggles and simulations, but THIS is the holodeck of the Enterprise in 2024. No plastic controller in my hands, just my hands and eyes. Unbelievable.

I own it just since Saturday, but already discovered incredible opportunities...
Did you try the "Planetarium" of the App "Night Sky"? Floating somewhere in Space, pinching at stars or planets and having them in front of you, playing with them? Incredible.

That thing costs a fortune, indeed, but I am just blown away...

 

[TLewis]

Also tried my first FaceTime call and I think I need to rescan my face as I was told I looked like an early Lord Voldemort! 🤣

Josh
View attachment 2397713

Good luck. I wish mine looked as good as Valdemort, and I've tried scanning several times.
😨

 

[axantas]

Good luck. I wish mine looked as good as Valdemort, and I've tried scanning several times.
😨

I am quite astonished about the quality - usually I do NOT like even photos of myself. I would try a different (monohrome) background.

Actually struggling with my very blond hair, which is disappearing in my persona. Not particularly Voldemort, but somewhat "skinheaded"... 🤣🤣

 

[josh bear]

I am quite astonished about the quality - usually I do NOT like even photos of myself. I would try a different (monohrome) background.

Actually struggling with my very blond hair, which is disappearing in my persona. Not particularly Voldemort, but somewhat "skinheaded"... 🤣🤣

Ha, I have no hair so no problem there for me!🙄🤪

 

[josh bear]

DAY 6 STRUGGLES

Ok. SO just passed day 6 and this is a low point of wanting to keep the AVP. I continue to watch media and as discussed movie watching is epic in terms of experience, (Clarity, 3d, sound). but I can't watch movies all day. I am now quite adept at the hand movements and eye tracking but using forums, discord etc is just much easier on an iPad or Mac.

Spatial videos continue to impress but sharing the experience with family members is very painful. In addition given my key hobbies are 3D printing and photography the apps involved for that are not available on the VP so don't see a use need there. if today was my last day to return I would be returning it with the feedback "This is really something special but for me, the price / use need ratio is off where it needs to be.

However as we head into day 7 I am going to focus on using it connected to my MBP and edit some photos with Lightroom. This will tell me if there is a good reason to keep.

Regards

Josh

 

[blocsapp]

DAY 6 STRUGGLES

Ok. SO just passed day 6 and this is a low point of wanting to keep the AVP. I continue to watch media and as discussed movie watching is epic in terms of experience, (Clarity, 3d, sound). but I can't watch movies all day. I am now quite adept at the hand movements and eye tracking but using forums, discord etc is just much easier on an iPad or Mac.

Spatial videos continue to impress but sharing the experience with family members is very painful. In addition given my key hobbies are 3D printing and photography the apps involved for that are not available on the VP so don't see a use need there. if today was my last day to return I would be returning it with the feedback "This is really something special but for me, the price / use need ratio is off where it needs to be.

However as we head into day 7 I am going to focus on using it connected to my MBP and edit some photos with Lightroom. This will tell me if there is a good reason to keep.

Regards

Josh

I connected a mouse and keyboard to mine, and found that improved the experience of writing in forums a lot.

I don’t keep it constantly connected to them, kind of like a game pad, I just switch them on and use them for key tasks.

I’m also on visionOS 2 and have to say converting old photos into spatial photos is incredible. I don’t think I’ve spent so much time just exploring my photos of family.

I’ve also spent some time using mine as a Mac display and found, switching into an environment really helped with focus when working from home.

 

[subjonas]

if today was my last day to return I would be returning it with the feedback "This is really something special but for me, the price / use need ratio is off where it needs to be.

Just in case you weren’t already going to, in your feedback I’d encourage you to also advise what the VP specifically needs in order to raise the use/price ratio for you (eg. 3D printing apps, etc.). If you do end up returning it. I’m sure Apple would find that invaluable.

 

[fatTribble]

I am not 20 anymore, I have seen a lot of novelties in my life, I tried all kind of 3D goggles and simulations, but THIS is the holodeck of the Enterprise in 2024. No plastic controller in my hands, just my hands and eyes. Unbelievable.

I own it just since Saturday, but already discovered incredible opportunities...
Did you try the "Planetarium" of the App "Night Sky"? Floating somewhere in Space, pinching at stars or planets and having them in front of you, playing with them? Incredible.

That thing costs a fortune, indeed, but I am just blown away...

Check out the app called The Archive. If you’re a Trek fan you will definitely like! 🖖

Glad to hear you’re enjoying the Vision Pro too!

 

[Macaholic868]

Hi all,

I've had the Apple Vision Pro for four days now, and wanted to share my initial impressions which are mostly positive with a few areas of frustration. Starting with the displays, compared to the Pico 4 and the Pimax Crystal Headset, the clarity of the Vision Pro's displays is exceptional. Of course you would expect them to be and those headsets are not natural competitors and I use them for gaming. The inbuilt speakers deliver excellent sound quality, enhancing the immersive experience significantly. I also use AirPod Pro gen 2 (Lightning) with no issues and even better sound.

Using the headset has been a great experience so far. It's very intuitive and has worked seamlessly with my MacBook Pro. Viewing spatial videos and photos on this device is an out-of-this-world experience. For instance, I attended a Kylie concert in Hyde Park this weekend and captured spatial videos with my iPhone 15 Pro. When we watched them later, my daughter remarked that it was "like being there!"

Currently, my usage has been primarily focused on consuming media, especially movies and TV shows. Both the Apple TV and Disney+ apps are outstanding in terms of quality and the ability to tailor the viewing experience.

However, I do have some frustrations. The inability to reorganize the Home Screen is a letdown, although I understand this will be addressed in Vision OS 2. Guest mode is also quite fiddly and needs improvement. The headset's weight can be an issue, but adjusting the strap helps somewhat.

A key concern for me is whether my current usage justifies keeping the Vision Pro. While my iPad has become almost redundant, I still find myself reaching for my MacBook Pro as my primary device. Of course, it's only been four days, and I have another week or so to decide whether to return it. Lastly, there's a definite need for more apps. YouTube and Sky Go would be fantastic additions!

How are other new users getting on?

Josh

There’s a great app that doesn’t cost much called Juno which lets you view YouTube content much like the YouTube app. Check it out! I’ve only used it in the US but I’d assume it works just fine in the UK.

The issue with reorganizing the Home Screen is fixed in visionOS 2.0. You can also move iPad compatible apps out of the Compatible Apps area and put them anywhere you want on the Home Screen.

They have also made Guest Mode a bit less cumbersome depending on your use case as well. It will remember the previous guest’s settings for 30 days so if you have a single user who is the primary guest user of the device they don’t have to go through the setup each time they want to use the device in Guest Mode. It’s a small improvement but very handy if it’s one other person who primarily uses the device when you put it in Guest Mode.

In terms of it being your primary computing device, at the end of the day I do still use my Mac and wouldn’t want to attempt to live in a world with just the iPhone, iPad (which I haven’t used outside of installing developer betas since I got the AVP) and the AVP. There are still some tasks that require a Mac and still enough apps that the developers have deliberately prevented from being loaded since almost any iPad app can run on the AVP unless the developers specifically disallow it but I’d say give it time.

If at the end of the return window you’re not sure you should keep it then take it back, give it another year for more apps to be put out there and for the visionOS 3.0 developer beta to be out there and try it again.

The resale values aren’t high enough that you can keep it, decide it was a bad idea then re-sell it on eBay and recoup most or all of your costs. At least here in the US that’s the case, so if you’re not sure don’t do it but don’t be surprised if you wind up like I was. I wound up much more sure at the end of my 14 day return window that I wanted to keep it than unsure. I wasn’t 100%, but I was easily 75% keep versus 25% take it back and made the right decision in keeping it.

Part of the appeal is that there is such a small user base at this point that your voice gets amplified in ways it wouldn’t be with a device that was selling millions or tens of millions of units. Your feedback during the beta process, on Apple’s forums, etc. is listened to in a way that other users feedback regarding their Apple devices simply isn’t. It reminds me of back in the day when I was a Windows 95/98 then Windows 2000 beta tester. There weren’t millions of us so Microsoft listened to what we had to say when we said it in a way that’s impossible now due to the sheer size of their user base. The AVP is still very much in it’s infancy at this point. Being a part of that is fun IMHO.

 

[axantas]

Check out the app called The Archive. If you’re a Trek fan you will definitely like! 🖖

Glad to hear you’re enjoying the Vision Pro too!

Just back from DS9 😎🖖

 

[geauxmac]

I’ve had mine since launch in the US. I use it weekly for entertainment, content consumption, checking out every interesting new apps that take advantage of the spatial effects, etc. VisionOS2’s ability to convert old photos to 3D is quite impressive, so something to look forward to.

I feel that to justify keeping it, you have to put all the value in the entertainment aspect of it, which it excels. If you’re trying to justify it for productivity, then it’s not quite there yet and you’re going to lower its perceived value and question yourself if it’s worth keeping.

I recommend that you enjoy it for what it’s good at, and if you’re enjoying that then keep it.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Re: "Keeping it"
The old saying applies... "if you have to ask"

(i.e. if you have to ask, the answer is no)

 

[axantas]

I know, i am exaggerating, but sitting at a beach at Bora Bora (it is in the Beta) with Safari in front of me, getting "Freeform" in reach and drawing something (I am bad in drawing...), having played with a dinosaur, I am somewhere into "explore strange new worlds and boldly go, where no one (man) has gone before"

I am aware, there is the garbage I have to take out - so not losing reality, but there is something new, I would like to discover. Apple is filling it with content (...slowly), but this is not "the next episode of season 4" relaeased at 7pm.

I am releasing it.

 

[josh bear]

Day 7 - Upward tick in use!

Hi all, First thanks for all the great suggestions on apps, comments on OS2 and the sage advice of "If you have to ask.." Much appreciated.

Day 7 was all about use with the Mac, using it with Bambu studio, Lightroom and the geanology website Ancestry. These are all applications that benefit from a big screen and my 49 inch Samsung monitor is my usual go to for these apps. However the VP was an excellent tool for them all.

Connection to the Mac was mostly flawless (It dropped once) and the ability to make the screen much larger was a huge help with all the above. The picture was very very sharp and I had no issues doing what I wanted to.

After the day 6 downer, day 7 ended with a much more positive feeling. Still having to adjust the strap a few times but if I keep it one of the aftermarket supports will help with that.

Day 8 focus is getting another opinion. My son (21) is home from Uni and is very excited to try it. I can expect him to pressure test both the device and my patience with his exuberance. 🙄😉

Regards

Josh

 

[blocsapp]

Was a nice warm night here in the UK last night, so I decided to get a lounger out and watch an episode of For All Mankind in the summer night sky. It was amazing!

I keep finding amazing new ways to use it all the time.

 

[triton100]

I connected a mouse and keyboard to mine, and found that improved the experience of writing in forums a lot.

I don’t keep it constantly connected to them, kind of like a game pad, I just switch them on and use them for key tasks.

I’m also on visionOS 2 and have to say converting old photos into spatial photos is incredible. I don’t think I’ve spent so much time just exploring my photos of family.

I’ve also spent some time using mine as a Mac display and found, switching into an environment really helped with focus when working from home.

Is vision OS2 available for public beta testing?

 

[triton100]

Day 7 - Upward tick in use!

Hi all, First thanks for all the great suggestions on apps, comments on OS2 and the sage advice of "If you have to ask.." Much appreciated.

Day 7 was all about use with the Mac, using it with Bambu studio, Lightroom and the geanology website Ancestry. These are all applications that benefit from a big screen and my 49 inch Samsung monitor is my usual go to for these apps. However the VP was an excellent tool for them all.

Connection to the Mac was mostly flawless (It dropped once) and the ability to make the screen much larger was a huge help with all the above. The picture was very very sharp and I had no issues doing what I wanted to.

After the day 6 downer, day 7 ended with a much more positive feeling. Still having to adjust the strap a few times but if I keep it one of the aftermarket supports will help with that.

Day 8 focus is getting another opinion. My son (21) is home from Uni and is very excited to try it. I can expect him to pressure test both the device and my patience with his exuberance. 🙄😉

Regards

Josh

Really enjoying your updates. Keen to find out what happens in the next episode 😊

 

[blocsapp]

Is vision OS2 available for public beta testing?

I’m afraid not.

 

[josh bear]

Days 8 and 9 - A second opinion and a new experience.

Hi all, My son came home from Uni and dominated use of the VP. As expected he was blown away with the clarity of the screens, the intuitive OS and the sound from the in built speakers. In fact it was this last part he noted with the most surprise. He had just assumed apple had got the clarity of the picture right so finding the sound to be so good was a point worth noting.

He went through to "Usual" steps of looking at all the show off experiences and was a lot less exuberant than I expected and the demo quickly moved to a question from him "Does it do anything else?". He quickly came to the conclusion that for him it was "Unbelievably exciting technology but without a standout use reason at the current price point". He is a medical student and he could see the benefits of certain apps for learning but of course the cost makes it a non option for him.

That all said, before he went back he did make a small case for taking it with him so he could test it properly. 🤣. Nice try but no cigar.

On Sunday PM I forced myself to use my iPad to watch a movie to see if it was a million times "Worse" than doing the same in the VP. Honestly it wasn't, the iPad is an amazing tool and it is not diminished by the arrival of the VP in the world.

After dinner I thought I would spend a few minutes in the garden with the VP. I fired up a couple of web pages and then started a movie. Within 5 mins I had closed safari and was in the Mount Hood Environment with the real UK summer breeze on my face, real life birds all around me (I was using the speakers not AirPods) and it all felt stunningly real. In fact when a bird rustled the bushes on my left I actually stood up thinking it was something in the Mount Hood tree line before remembering I was wearing the VP. This was a stark and positive reminder about the immersive power of this technology and I stayed outside for another hour and a half to finish the movie. I wish I could share this with someone else e.g. watch the same movie and see each other in the same environment. That would be a complete game changer for me.

Day 10 awaits and as of time of posting I don't really have a plan

Regards

Josh

 

[triton100]

Days 8 and 9 - A second opinion and a new experience.

Hi all, My son came home from Uni and dominated use of the VP. As expected he was blown away with the clarity of the screens, the intuitive OS and the sound from the in built speakers. In fact it was this last part he noted with the most surprise. He had just assumed apple had got the clarity of the picture right so finding the sound to be so good was a point worth noting.

He went through to "Usual" steps of looking at all the show off experiences and was a lot less exuberant than I expected and the demo quickly moved to a question from him "Does it do anything else?". He quickly came to the conclusion that for him it was "Unbelievably exciting technology but without a standout use reason at the current price point". He is a medical student and he could see the benefits of certain apps for learning but of course the cost makes it a non option for him.

That all said, before he went back he did make a small case for taking it with him so he could test it properly. 🤣. Nice try but no cigar.

On Sunday PM I forced myself to use my iPad to watch a movie to see if it was a million times "Worse" than doing the same in the VP. Honestly it wasn't, the iPad is an amazing tool and it is not diminished by the arrival of the VP in the world.

After dinner I thought I would spend a few minutes in the garden with the VP. I fired up a couple of web pages and then started a movie. Within 5 mins I had closed safari and was in the Mount Hood Environment with the real UK summer breeze on my face, real life birds all around me (I was using the speakers not AirPods) and it all felt stunningly real. In fact when a bird rustled the bushes on my left I actually stood up thinking it was something in the Mount Hood tree line before remembering I was wearing the VP. This was a stark and positive reminder about the immersive power of this technology and I stayed outside for another hour and a half to finish the movie. I wish I could share this with someone else e.g. watch the same movie and see each other in the same environment. That would be a complete game changer for me.

Day 10 awaits and as of time of posting I don't really have a plan

Regards

Josh

Isn’t part of the plan to continue virtual mirroring with the design apps? Is there no desire to use it more in that way over and above just content consumption?

 

[josh bear]

Isn’t part of the plan to continue virtual mirroring with the design apps? Is there no desire to use it more in that way over and above just content consumption?

Hi, Yes, productivity could be a real use for many people and lead them to "Better" usage than me. The reality for me is I retired at age 53 a few months ago after 32 years in the Biotech industry. If the VP had been available a year ago it would have been a game changer for me. To be able to stand in a room and surround myself with "Data" would have been exactly what I was looking for.

I have a samsung 49 inch monitor and used that with the MPB and loved having multiple windows open so the VP would have led to hyper excitement. That said I have spoken to a few friends about the VP and use for work and to a person they all said "Thank God it wasn't available as you would never have had it off your face!"🤣

My current productivity needs are limited as 3D printing, Photography and design are just hobbies and don't take up the bulk of my time. So I am taking that into account as I assess whether I will keep the VP or not.

That said, if photoshop or Lightroom were native apps and I could edit photos without using the Mac then that would be a real plus. The the ability the stand in a virtual room and edit photos would be incredibly useful.

None of the above changes just have amazing this device is though.

Regards

Josh

 

[blocsapp]

photoshop or Lightroom were native

I’ve not checked but are the iPad variants of the Adobe or Affinity design apps available on the VisionPro App Store?