Will the Vision Pro headset disrupt the high-end TV market?
Apple is hoping its new Apple Vision Pro headset will shepherd in the era of "spatial computing," but apparently the company's aspirations might include replacing TVs, too.
Apple TV+ series "Foundation" with Vision Pro
Which, if you watched Apple's demonstrations for the VR headset, makes sense. The company leaned on the ways people can enjoy a range of media, from movies and TV shows to games, while wearing the hardware on their face.
And the company certainly has an argument to make, especially for the folks who might not have a way to equip their home with a big TV or an assortment of house-shaking speakers. Indeed, Apple showcased an individual in an apartment that otherwise might not be able to really enjoy a TV show like Apple TV+'s "Foundation" if it weren't for the headset on their face.
Another example-- say you've got a covered balcony with a swing out there, and you wouldn't mind sitting out there during a stretch of nice weather to watch a movie or show. What might require a lot of rewiring, installation, and so much more isn't necessary if you have a Vision Pro. And you don't even need to worry about interfering with the neighbors.
Or on an airplane for that matter, one of the situations Apple showcased at the Vision Pro unveiling. Though, future users can't forget that the portable battery pack will only power the Vision Pro for a couple of hours. Not quite enough time to watch a lot of movies out there.
There are use cases for this, and most of them make sense. Maybe you're traveling and the hotel room you're staying in doesn't have a great TV, and obviously no surround sound or subwoofer. Strap on the Vision Pro headset and you're suddenly ensconced in a personal movie theater, with a screen as big as you want, and spatial audio pumped into your skull.
Apple's Vision Pro on an airplane
The fact that Vision Pro can do so much, all in a single package, is a major boon for the headset. Yes, it can help you enjoy a movie or show or sports match in a whole new way. It can also help you send a message without leaving that experience, or check your email and so on.
But, it's a lonely endeavor. Even a quick scan of Apple's showcase for Vision Pro presents a lot of individuals using the headset. Having a whole room of headset-equipped people wandering around might be too "Black Mirror" for Apple, but that is the future Apple envisions and is trying to kick-start.
So much so that this is probably the reason why, even with so many rumors hovering around for so long, Apple didn't actually make a TV. They've been working on Vision Pro for almost a decade now, and if at any point they had the collective realization that the headset makes for a better TV, that would be the end of those plans.
So is the TV market just one more area Apple is looking to "disrupt?"
I certainly hope not, but I'm a purist when it comes to movies, but less so for TV shows. I want the TV with Filmmaker Mode and the ability to tweak settings to present the best possible picture. I want the subwoofer that shakes the couch at all the right times.
Even more than that, I don't want to lose watching those films or TV shows or whatever else with the other person or people in the room with me at the time.
Technically speaking, even if the other people in the room are watching the same movie with their own headsets, they are still there. Still present, still watching the same thing. But it does still feel isolating, a bunch of people on their own personal islands.
It may not be something the TV manufacturers are concerned about right now, considering the headset retails for $3,499. That $3,499 will buy a large, nice television that multiple people can watch at the same time.
But that price tag will go down and the features will keep improving. Maybe it's more about reading the tea leaves and preparing for what's coming.
There are times where the Vision Pro makes sense, as mentioned above. The idea of having a personal movie theater always with me is pretty awesome.
But I'm not sure I'm ready for a VR headset to replace my home theater setup -- or even just my TV. At least today.
Read on AppleInsider
Apple TV+ series "Foundation" with Vision Pro
Which, if you watched Apple's demonstrations for the VR headset, makes sense. The company leaned on the ways people can enjoy a range of media, from movies and TV shows to games, while wearing the hardware on their face.
And the company certainly has an argument to make, especially for the folks who might not have a way to equip their home with a big TV or an assortment of house-shaking speakers. Indeed, Apple showcased an individual in an apartment that otherwise might not be able to really enjoy a TV show like Apple TV+'s "Foundation" if it weren't for the headset on their face.
Another example-- say you've got a covered balcony with a swing out there, and you wouldn't mind sitting out there during a stretch of nice weather to watch a movie or show. What might require a lot of rewiring, installation, and so much more isn't necessary if you have a Vision Pro. And you don't even need to worry about interfering with the neighbors.
Or on an airplane for that matter, one of the situations Apple showcased at the Vision Pro unveiling. Though, future users can't forget that the portable battery pack will only power the Vision Pro for a couple of hours. Not quite enough time to watch a lot of movies out there.
There are use cases for this, and most of them make sense. Maybe you're traveling and the hotel room you're staying in doesn't have a great TV, and obviously no surround sound or subwoofer. Strap on the Vision Pro headset and you're suddenly ensconced in a personal movie theater, with a screen as big as you want, and spatial audio pumped into your skull.
Apple's Vision Pro on an airplane
The fact that Vision Pro can do so much, all in a single package, is a major boon for the headset. Yes, it can help you enjoy a movie or show or sports match in a whole new way. It can also help you send a message without leaving that experience, or check your email and so on.
But, it's a lonely endeavor. Even a quick scan of Apple's showcase for Vision Pro presents a lot of individuals using the headset. Having a whole room of headset-equipped people wandering around might be too "Black Mirror" for Apple, but that is the future Apple envisions and is trying to kick-start.
So much so that this is probably the reason why, even with so many rumors hovering around for so long, Apple didn't actually make a TV. They've been working on Vision Pro for almost a decade now, and if at any point they had the collective realization that the headset makes for a better TV, that would be the end of those plans.
So is the TV market just one more area Apple is looking to "disrupt?"
Is the TV market sweating yet?
The question at hand is if the Vision Pro can make a dent in the TV market, like the iPhone did to the digital camera market. Could Apple's headset, and future versions of it, usher in the quiet death of the TV?I certainly hope not, but I'm a purist when it comes to movies, but less so for TV shows. I want the TV with Filmmaker Mode and the ability to tweak settings to present the best possible picture. I want the subwoofer that shakes the couch at all the right times.
Even more than that, I don't want to lose watching those films or TV shows or whatever else with the other person or people in the room with me at the time.
Technically speaking, even if the other people in the room are watching the same movie with their own headsets, they are still there. Still present, still watching the same thing. But it does still feel isolating, a bunch of people on their own personal islands.
It may not be something the TV manufacturers are concerned about right now, considering the headset retails for $3,499. That $3,499 will buy a large, nice television that multiple people can watch at the same time.
But that price tag will go down and the features will keep improving. Maybe it's more about reading the tea leaves and preparing for what's coming.
There are times where the Vision Pro makes sense, as mentioned above. The idea of having a personal movie theater always with me is pretty awesome.
But I'm not sure I'm ready for a VR headset to replace my home theater setup -- or even just my TV. At least today.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
Not having to mess w/screens, projectors and x.1 sound systems could be huge.
I am very excited for its potential, but I really think this is a supplemental device in its current state. I use VR headsets, you will hit a limit on how long you can comfortably wear this headset, even as light as it is. It is going to squeeze your head to stay in place, you would not want to work all day wearing this headset. Based on the hands on I am reading, this is a device that blows away prior AR/VR experiences, but it still has some of the same shortfalls of other headsets.
Unrelated. Why have no outlets said a word about the top strap head accessory for the Vision Pro? I'm guessing it's there to relieve fatigue after long viewing sessions. idk. I do know it looks like an afterthought. For anyone not familiar with what I'm referencing, look at Apple's video where the dad is filming his kids wearing the VP. It sports an inelegant top strap.
No. Nobody wants to watch movies or sports with friends/ family and everybody wearing scuba gear.
However the 'social in a virtual world' angle has been available for years. You choose your avatar, pick your film and time, and off you go. You are in the 'cinema' with your friends right there 'with' you. They could be on the sofa right next to you or halfway across the world but you turn your head and see them in the next seat.
The big question is if that habit could displace the real experience and if it is worthwhile in a family setting where multiple headsets would be needed.
Another reason is that if you have enough money for one or more headsets, you probably have more than enough for a high end TV too because I can't imagine anyone wanting to wear a big head mounted device for regular viewing.
Agreed. Two different experiences that can co-exist.
...perhaps redefining 'immersion' if the UWA image quality is sharp enough... <hint>