One thing is clear… Apple and Meta have very different visions for the future

Apple’s Vision Pro may not be perfect and has its own share of flaws, but Cupertino seemingly has a different answer for what a face computer should be.

Apple's Vision Pro, a headset costing $3500, is aimed at both consumers and enterprises. It will not be available until 2024. (Image credit: Apple)

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When Apple announced the Vision Pro during its WWDC conference last week, many jumped to the conclusion that Cupertino’s vision for a “spatial computer” was no different to Meta’s Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg’s push into the Metaverse but presented differently. In fact, a large section, including Zuckerberg himself, mocked the Vision Pro for being ‘expensive’ and not ‘magical’ and ‘antisocial.’ Apple fans may be fuming over Zuckerberg’s reaction to the Vision Pro, but if you read his statement closely, it becomes clear that both Apple and Meta have very different visions of what the future holds.

In many ways, not only do the two brands have different approaches but also different messages. While Meta completely pivoted its Metaverse strategy with a headset that will be essential to experience a singular experience (like gaming, for example), Apple took an alternate approach with the Vision Pro – it’s calling it a general computing platform that brings many experiences. The Vision Pro is a space where you experience the existing internet from a different lens. That’s where things get interesting because Apple, unlike Meta, isn’t trying to build Internet 2.0 or Metaverse which Zuckerberg describes as a fully realised digital space that exists beyond the one in which we live.

This could be the reason why Apple didn’t mention words like “headset”, “virtual reality” and “metaverse” while announcing the Vision Pro. Not only did the move allow Apple to separate the Vision Pro from the competition but Cupertino in a way proved how big a flop the Metaverse was both as a concept and the direction Meta went with.

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Also read | Vision Pro: Apple’s breakthrough AR headset, and why it is a big deal

Apple may not be calling the Vision Pro a headset and touting the device’s software tailored toward more immersive experiences. Cook’s choice of words: “So today, I’m excited to announce an entirely new AR platform with a revolutionary new product”. The Apple VisionPro is a mixed-reality headset (similar to Meta’s Quest Pro) that combines augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality, so you don’t block the real world the way you do with existing VR headsets. Many of the things the Vision Pro is capable of can be done on other headsets like experiencing movies in 3D. To be honest, the Vision Pro is a computer strapped onto your face like any other headset available on the market.

But then, there’s a whole other side to augmented realities that requires more than a headset. Apple’s idea of the Vision Pro is to place virtual computers into your actual world so that you can experience an app or a programme within the space around you. Meta, on the other hand, wants you to live in the computer that’s strapped onto your face and be a part of a whole new virtual world. This could perhaps be the biggest problem with Meta’s Metaverse and the reason why it didn’t take off as Zuckerberg hoped it would.

Just as the iPhone did, the Vision Pro introduces a new kind of user interface. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

The problem lies in the concept itself. Because nobody wants to strap a headset on their face all day and connect and hang out with people in virtual spaces. This is why Apple didn’t show equivalents to Meta’s Horizon World and Horizon Workrooms at WWDC.

As has been the case with most current headsets, people are only putting a face computer for shorter experiences like playing a round of a game or attending a virtual concert for a brief period of time, and switch to a smartphone or a laptop for a majority of tasks. The end experience, to say the least, has been underwhelming. Clunky interface, poor software experience, underwhelming hardware, and lack of must-have apps have all contributed to the lack of headsets over the years. On top of that, headsets, especially those heavily lean on VR, are designed to isolate you from the real world.

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Although the Vision Pro doesn’t launch until 2024 and there might be conflicting views on what is being shown in pre-approved footage and when the actual users can actually put on and try it out, Apple does seem to have avoided the pitfalls Meta and others have fallen into. That’s evidenced by the fact that Apple wants the Vision Pro to work and function just like a regular computer with a reimagined user that can be operated with a blink, gesture, or voice command.

During its WWDC keynote, Apple demoed its own apps that you may already use – such as FaceTime and Safari. Popular programmes such as Excel, Word and Teams will also be compatible with the new headset. Of course, Apple would want developers to develop new types of apps and experiences for Vision Pro. That’s important how developers leverage three-dimensional space in new ways. But the conversation is no more about “killer apps”, a thing that hampered the growth of the Extended Reality (XR) space for years. Rather, Apple seems more interested in how to bring your favourite iPhone or Mac app to the Vision Pro.

Also read | Apple Vision Pro Explained: All your questions and doubts answered

Apple’s Vision Pro may not be perfect and has its own share of flaws, but Cupertino seemingly has a different answer for what a face computer should be. Even if you may not fully agree with Apple’s vision for spatial computing or the $3499 asking price of the headset, the pitch for a general-purpose computing platform doesn’t seem like a sham. Rather, it seems believable to the extent that maybe one day face computers could be used as alternatives to smartphones and laptops.

Anuj Bhatia

Anuj Bhatia is a personal technology writer at indianexpress.com who has been covering smartphones, personal computers, gaming, apps, and lifestyle tech actively since 2011. He specialises in writing longer-form feature articles and explainers on trending tech topics. His unique interests encompass delving into vintage tech, retro gaming and composing in-depth narratives on the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture. He covers major international tech conferences and product launches from the world's biggest and most valuable tech brands including Apple, Google and others. At the same time, he also extensively covers indie, home-grown tech startups. Prior to joining The Indian Express in late 2016, he served as a senior tech writer at My Mobile magazine and previously held roles as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. Anuj holds a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University. You can find Anuj on Linkedin. Email: anuj.bhatia@indianexpress.com ... Read More