Apple Vision Pro's ultra-wide Mac display mirroring is the killer app spatial computing ne...

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in Apple Vision Pro

With the release of visionOS 2.2, Apple will add support for ultra-wide displays when mirroring a Mac's display. And it might just be the Apple Vision Pro killer app I've been waiting for.

A sleek, reflective virtual reality headset on a white surface with a softly blurred, colorful background.
Apple Vision Pro needed a killer app and it's finally getting one



At the time of writing the visionOS 2.2 update is only available to developers willing to install it on the headset they use for app development. But it'll soon be made available to everyone who wants it. And while there are a few new improvements for Apple Vision Pro owners to look forward to, there's one that's particularly exciting -- big Mac display mirroring upgrades.

The Mac mirroring isn't new of course, but the addition of new wide and ultra-wide options most definitely is. And it makes for a huge improvement for those who want to use their fancy spatial computer as a display for their Mac.



Ultra-wide monitors have always been of interest to me. I'm someone who normally uses a 28-inch widescreen 4K monitor as a main display while my 16-inch MacBook Pro's display acts as a secondary monitor. The idea of using one huge display appeals, and I've been someone who likes to multitask with multiple apps on-screen at once. What better way to do that than with an ultra-wide monitor?

The problem? They're huge. Really huge. But that's where the Apple Vision Pro comes in with its support for creating virtual displays in the real world in a way that could be a real game-changer. What's more, it could even be enough to make Apple's headset less of a tech demo and more of a real tool.


Making Apple Vision Pro a viable purchase



I've always been torn by the Apple Vision Pro. It feels similar to the Apple Watch back in 2014 in a lot of ways; it's futuristic and there's little doubt that it could be the future. But in its current incarnation, it just isn't there yet and in the case of the headset, it's way too costly.

But all of that melts away when you have a real use case for it. A killer app, if you will. The Apple Vision Pro's been crying out for a reason to buy it beyond cool tech demos and watching a 3D movie once every three months. At $3,499, I want a reason to put the thing on my head daily, not quarterly.

With wide and ultra-wide display support I think I might actually have that. Fitting a massive monitor on your desk is already starting to be cumbersome and in the case of displays, bigger is always better. Spatial computing can offer that in a way that doesn't require a monitor that dominates the room 24/7, and I'm absolutely here for it.

If I can then watch that 3D movie and play the odd spatial game when I want, all the better. But the proposition for buying something like the Apple Vision Pro has to be that way around -- a real, daily-use feature backed up by nice-to-haves. And visionOS 2.2 might actually make the Apple Vision Pro a viable option for those of us who can never quite fit enough on our Mac's display at any one time.

Already own your Apple Vision Pro? We expect visionOS 2.2 to ship in early December, so you shouldn't have to wait too much longer to take upgraded Mac display mirroring for a spin.



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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 10
    PenziPenzi Posts: 24member
    I’m inclined to agree, to the extent that this is a need to have, not a want to have for myself to purchase the product. Once it’s available, I’ll go in for a demo. I still doubt it will have sufficient use cases for myself to plunk out for it, but most of my doubts will be confirmed or debunked on use.

    I do look forward to the release of a version that fits my needs, whatever those may be in relation to a paradigm I have not worked in before… ;)
    forgot usernamessfe11CurtisHightForumPostwatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 10
    thttht Posts: 5,756member
    The speculation is that the foveation is done differently now. What you guys know about that?

    That is, more of your Mac display field of view is clearer than fuzzed than before. So, it can look clearer. Is the foveation now done on the Mac? Was it always done on the Mac in the first place?

    visionOS also needs an iPhone virtual display feature just like it is on the Mac now. 
    dewmeappleinsideruserwatto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 10
    apple4thewinapple4thewin Posts: 335member
    So the vision pro may be the killer monitor for personal use only (since you can’t easily show someone want you are doing) minus the fact you can’t display non Apple products like gaming consoles. (Windows mirroring is available via different apps)
    williamlondonwatto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 10
    igerardigerard Posts: 19member
    I am using almost every day my AVP, and yes, this new Ultra Wide Display is a game changer as a developer and also to use some complex application on my MBP like Blender or FCP … Great addition to the product value !

    When working stand up, with the Max resolution, it is a realy impressive stuff.
    ForumPostAlex_Vwatto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 10
    9secondkox29secondkox2 Posts: 3,196member
    Cool. Now bring on the ultrawide iMac. 
    kurai_kagewatto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 10
    CurtisHightCurtisHight Posts: 66member
    Now engineer the M5 Vision Pro to run macOS applications.
    ForumPostapple4thewinwilliamlondonwatto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 10
    DeedInDeedIn Posts: 2member
    I can never understand how, if you already have put out the huge amount of money on the Vision Pro, you are looking for reasons to use it. I've had it since day one and I use it almost every day. I look for reasons NOT to use it! From everyday surfing around to watching all of my TV, sports or movies regardless of 3D content, to reading books/comics, this device is just simply my go to device for about everything if I'm home (and of course not watching something with family/friends). The addition of the wide-screen has made it even that much more of a great experience. 
    kurai_kagewatto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 10
    PemaPema Posts: 181member
    The killer feature that I am looking for: 
    1) entry level price point of sub-2000
    0r
    2) buy a Vision Pro for $3500 get a $1500 credit towards anything in the Apple Store. 

    Just because Apple has opted to plough tons of money into the device doesn't meant that I have to as well. 
  • Reply 9 of 10
    jgreg728jgreg728 Posts: 113member
    I have to disagree here because this turns the AVP into a $3500 monitor for a Mac that you’re probably spending just as much money for. Apple still needs to make a case for AVP’s NATIVE APPS to make it a successful product. Show what they can do with the rest of their apps they have yet to bring to visionOS. Much like how they said years ago that iPad apps shouldn’t be expanded iPhone apps and instead do more within the extra real estate, that same notion now needs to be made from the iPad to the AVP. Apple hasn’t even cracked the surface yet for what their own apps are capable of in spatial computing, so it’s no wonder why the “killer app” has yet to really materialize. But a tethered feature for the Mac is not it. 
  • Reply 10 of 10
    Fidonet127Fidonet127 Posts: 606member
    jgreg728 said:
    I have to disagree here because this turns the AVP into a $3500 monitor for a Mac that you’re probably spending just as much money for. Apple still needs to make a case for AVP’s NATIVE APPS to make it a successful product. Show what they can do with the rest of their apps they have yet to bring to visionOS. Much like how they said years ago that iPad apps shouldn’t be expanded iPhone apps and instead do more within the extra real estate, that same notion now needs to be made from the iPad to the AVP. Apple hasn’t even cracked the surface yet for what their own apps are capable of in spatial computing, so it’s no wonder why the “killer app” has yet to really materialize. But a tethered feature for the Mac is not it. 
    This monitor use case is only one option, and this is portable. You are not taking your $3500 monitor setup on a train, or in a car. You still have your other use cases and this is a private viewing. 
    thtwatto_cobra
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