Looking At The World Through Vision Pro Tinted Glasses

Let’s talk about next-gen computing shall we? Apple recently announced the Vision Pro headset at WWDC 2023, one of the most highly anticipated products of the year and we can see why.

This sophisticated gadget has once again solidified Apple’s status as a transformative industry leader.

From the iPod to the Mac to the iPhone to the new Vision Pro, Apple is leading the charge in digitising society and with each release continues to push boundaries. Revolutionising the augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR) fields is just a casual Tuesday morning at Apple.

Their impact on the trajectory of human progress is undeniable.

Over the last 2 decades, they’ve spearheaded the pursuit of accessibility of information. The iPod made vinyl and CDs redundant, while the iPhone brought telephone books, encyclopaedias and libraries to our fingertips. The new Vision Pro headset could arguably serve as a turning point in the widespread adoption of VR, making it a mainstream technology.

Apple CEO, Tim Cook, described the Vision Pro as the “first Apple product you look through and not at” and suggested it was an innovation on par with the original iPhone or Mac computer.

As we look ahead, or rather “through”, we see humanity evolving in two ways: connected humans vs unconnected humans.

Imagine a world where digital objects seamlessly blend with reality, enhancing our everyday experiences. Just like wearing regular glasses, the Vision Pro glasses offer a futuristic upgrade. With these glasses, you’ll have access to a myriad of possibilities right in front of your eyes, including messages, Apple Maps directions, social media, shopping, and virtually anything you can imagine. It’s an immersive experience that brings the digital realm into our immediate surroundings

But what problem exactly is Vision Pro solving?

Father of the iPod, Tony Fadell, took to Twitter following Apple’s announcement and he certainly made his feelings known:

The phrase “jumped the shark” refers to the idea that a company or creative entity has resorted to shock value to lure an audience.

The phrase was originally linked to the sitcom “Happy Days,” which once featured a scene in which main character Fonzie, played by Henry Winkler, literally jumped over a shark on water skis.

Fadell replied to a tweet from supply chain consultant Jeff Lutz, who argued Apple has “more work to do on power consumption” and floated the possibility of the company selling a larger battery pack as a separate accessory for the Vision Pro.

“It’s [sic] has truly nothing to do with 2hr battery life,” Fadell added. “The apps & marketing pitch is awful even if it had a 24 HR battery life…This is not a painkiller. Platforms don’t become useful products. Useful products become platforms…”

As pioneers in high-end product development, we believe that every business is a software business and our mission is to create products that possess inherent value and purpose. Their mission goes beyond mere functionality; we endeavour to craft solutions that are truly worth the effort and resources invested in their development.

In the words of the legendary Tony Fadell, “We make things worth making.”

So how has Apple succeeded where others have not?

While Facebook aimed to shape a new reality with their Metaverse concept, it fell short in terms of providing the tangible experience that Apple’s augmented reality (AR) offers. Apple’s AR solutions provide a level of tangibility and immersion that surpasses their competition.

One key factor contributing to Apple’s triumph is their superior product design. Their devices are not only aesthetically pleasing but also intuitive, reflecting a deep understanding of user needs. Apple invests significant time and resources into extensive research and development (R&D), ensuring that their products are refined to perfection before launch.

They prioritise quality over rushing to market in response to competitor moves. This meticulous approach results in polished products, meeting high standards even for their first-generation releases.

Although Apple may not always be the first to introduce a particular technology, their ability to iterate quickly and effectively distinguishes them and their notoriously polished products.

They continuously refine their products through a rapid iteration cycle, incorporating user feedback and addressing any shortcomings. This iterative process is deeply ingrained in Apple’s business model and contributes to their ability to capture and retain a large, dedicated audience.

What are the data implications here?

The data implications are vast and significant. The advancements in image recognition technology have reached a point where products and brands can be identified from an image alone.

With the introduction of the Vision Pro device, Apple gains access to a wealth of information that was previously out of reach. By analysing factors such as your location and the individuals you communicate with, Vision Pro has the ability to observe and comprehend everything you engage with.

This extends beyond personal information, exposing your daily activities outside of the Apple ecosystem. Remarkably, Vision Pro can achieve this without physically accessing the data; it simply reads the data you are viewing.

For Apple, this wealth of information presents a goldmine for analysing user trends, providing the ultimate tool to enhance their target marketing efforts.

As with any new technological innovation, there will inevitably be individuals who are eager to embrace and participate in it, while others may prioritise their privacy and become increasingly conscious of potential privacy risks and issues.

Ed Lyell, professor of business and economics at Adams State University, said, “I believe many more people will choose to disconnect from the increasingly interconnected world. Yet the majority of people will accept and even embrace the Internet of Things since it will make their lives easier and more comfortable, perhaps even saving money. Yet criminals will also do well and hacks will occur. People are like water or electrical circuits and follow the path of least resistance. Thus, going along with industry-designed changes will be acceptable to most.”

This pattern resembles the ideal example of the snowball effect, where technological innovation continuously gains momentum and shapes our lives.

As leaders in the premium tech space, we firmly believe that innovation will persist, driving further advancements and reshaping the way we live and interact with technology.

Platform45 Founder and CEO, Shaun Richards, perfectly encapsulates this sentiment: “Computing used to occupy a large space, then it became portable, then it became handheld, now it will simply become part of everyday reality.”

The future lies before us, simultaneously opaque yet in ultra high definition. With eager anticipation, we don our glasses, ready to embrace and witness the multitude of transformative possibilities that await us.