An Apple employee ushered me past a manicured lawn and down a flight of stairs into the Steve Jobs Theater to get a preview of the company’s new Vision Pro headset. I spent about 45 minutes wearing the device under the supervision of two Apple employees, who guided me through a demo while I sat on a sofa. I wasn’t allowed to take any photos or video of the device or bring one home for further testing.
Given how limited my trial was, I can’t tell you if the Vision Pro is worth the $3,500 cost. I also can’t say if it solves the “six-month problem.” I was skeptical going into my demo, but I felt genuine wonder at several moments while wearing the Vision Pro.
However, even after trying it, I still have no idea who or what this thing is supposed to be for. At $3,500, it’s not for the masses.
The displays are impressive; crisp, bright, and detailed. The Vision Pro’s immersion toggle allows you to see more of the room around you. To navigate, you just look at an icon. Then, you pinch your thumb and a finger together to select it.
Wearing the Vision Pro is comfortable-ish, and after putting it on and taking it off, I felt some slight discomfort. I found Apple’s spatial photos and videos alongside work-related tasks rather underwhelming.
Apple is also trying to make the Vision Pro appeal to fans of immersive movies and games. My demo included several movie clips and trailers for immersive films.
