Does Apple’s Vision Need Revision?

Apple Inc.’s recent expedition into the world of augmented reality (AR) has sent shockwaves through the technology industry with the release of their new product, the Apple Vision Pro. This headset promises a glimpse into the future where the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds seamlessly merge and computing transcends the limitations of screens (Apple). However, beyond the initial excitement, a crucial question arises: is the Vision Pro truly revolutionary, or merely an expensive gimmick?

      On one hand, the Vision Pro boasts impressive technological advancements with its newly developed operating system and controls. The Vision Pro is not just an AR headset, and is instead described as a “spatial computer” (Apple). Unlike traditional AR glasses that overlay digital elements onto the real world, the Vision Pro completely transports users into a blended reality. Its high resolution displays create an immersive experience, while its intuitive hand tracking controls offer a natural way to interact with the digital world. The VisionOS, the operating system powering the Vision Pro, leverages the user’s gaze as a virtual mouse pointer, allowing for precise selection of user interface elements simply by looking at them. This gaze-based selection acts as the initial step, followed by specific hand gestures to trigger actions. For example, a double tap with fingers stimulates a click, while flicking a wrist enables smooth scrolling. The combination between eye tracking and hand gestures represents a significant shift from traditional input methods like keyboards and touchscreens to a more perceptive and captivating user experience (Encora). However, early buyers have raised concerns about the balance between novelty and practicality. While the Vision Pro’s technical aspects are undeniably impressive, its weight and battery life have been reported as obstacles. These impractical limitations cast doubt on whether the current iteration of the headset can move beyond its initial novelty and establish itself as a component of everyday life (Upload VR).

Despite these slight drawbacks, early reviews have been largely positive, praising the Vision Pro’s visuals, intuitive controls and groundbreaking applications. The Vision Pro also represents an innovative breakthrough for industries all over the world. Artists are exploring new forms of interactive art, while architects are envisioning collaborative design sessions in virtual environments. From enhancing on-site construction precision to “gamifying” urban landscapes, AR empowers experimentation with complex designs that were once cost prohibitive or impractical. The Vision Pro represents a re-evaluation in the way architects envision, create and interact with their designs (Arch Daily). Furthermore, the gaming industry also faces transformative developments. Slicing apples mid-air in the living room with “Super Fruit Ninja” or exploring fantastical landscapes from the comfort of home are now possible with the Vision Pro (Apple). This device promises to redefine the concept of immersion by blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. Sneha Ramanujaand, sophomore and VEX 3050W robotics student, shares her excitement about the possibilities of AR technology to create and enhance experiences.

“Something that excites me about the possibilities of [the] Apple Vision Pro and [its] AR [technologies] are the new possibilities of expressing art without limitations,” Ramanuja said. “[Other benefits would be] traveling, seeing and creating different new environments that people [typically would not] be able to see if they face [issues of cost] or physical ability. Especially for people who are stuck in hospitals, [AR] could be a great way for them to experience the world in 3D, eliminating travel barriers.”    

However, the Vision Pro’s high cost, starting at $3,499, creates significant barriers to accessibility, threatening its potential to become a truly inclusive technology. When a powerful tool like the Vision Pro is out of reach for a significant portion of the population, its potential impact is severely limited. This hinders not only individual opportunity but also innovation, collaboration and the collective benefits that could be achieved if the technology were more widely accessible (Forbes). This parallels existing inequalities in access to technology, where low-income communities often struggle with limited internet access and outdated devices. Among adults with annual household incomes below $30,000, 24% lack smartphones, 43% lack high-speed internet access at home and 41% lack desktops and laptops. Conversely, ownership of these technologies is nearly universal in households earning $100,000 or more (Pew Research Center). Therefore, the high cost of the Vision Pro risks further widening this gap and exacerbating disadvantages in low-income communities. Drawing on her experience in Model United Nations debates, sophomore Audrey Chu voices concerns about the equity of the new Vision Pro.

“There [is] already going to be a large amount of ethical implications,” Chu said. “Now that [we are] eliminating the [lower income] demographic and only focusing on the upper-class citizens, I think these biases will just grow, [which] is a scary thought.” 

Additionally, privacy issues are growing, with many users skeptical about data collection in such an online environment. The Vision Pro collects more data than any device utilized before due to its numerous censors, cameras and microphones. This has sparked a multitude of ethical concerns. Questions of who will own the data generated within this augmented world and how it will be used remain unanswered, leaving a cloud of uncertainty over the device’s long-term implications (The Washington Post). Furthermore, the potential impact on mental health and social interaction requires careful consideration. Spending excessive time in an immersive AR world could lead to social isolation and a disconnect from reality. Maintaining a healthy balance between the physical and digital spheres is crucial in the age of AR. However, only time will tell whether the Vision Pro paves the way for an ideal blend between physical and digital worlds, or becomes a disastrous tale of technology outpacing ethical concerns. Roman Munro, a junior who experienced using the product firsthand, shares his concerns about potential downsides. “[There is] a [high] possibility that AR could be the next phone addiction,” Munro said. “After I was done demoing [a Vision Pro] at the Apple Store and took it off, I saw five other people who were completely zoned out of the physical world, staring blankly into the digital world. That really scared me because I saw right there what the future of humanity could be: [one] where [we are] not looking down at our phones with the world in our peripheral vision, but staring into these glasses where we cannot see anything around us, lost inside a place that is not even real.”