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5 facts about Vision Pro Apple doesn’t want you to know yet

tigaman webdesign — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 02:37:46 +0000

For a product that isn’t debuting until 2024, Apple has said a lot about the Vision Pro, its mixed reality headset. Apple spent nearly an hour in the WWDC keynote discussing it. It has rolled out developer tools for visionOS, which has given us even more clarity about what visionOS can and can’t do.

And yet I remain firmly convinced that Apple hasn’t told us the whole story. The WWDC keynote was the time to make a first impression–but there’s half a year to go before the final story is told. As a result, Apple emphasized the features of the device that it felt would best represent the device. It emphasized the fact that it’s an augmented-reality product that keeps you connected with people around you as a way to blunt criticism that Apple’s trying to use its technology to wall people off from each other.

With the Vision Pro, there’s more to come. Here’s where I think Apple will have a much larger story to tell.

Yes, it’s really a VR headset

By defaulting to a view of the world around you and requiring that the user dial reality out via the Digital Crown, Apple sends the signal that the Vision Pro is an augmented-reality headset. But the truth is, it’s a VR headset that emulates AR, and that emulation can be dropped easily. If you don’t want to work in the very spacious rooms on display in Apple’s demo video, you can just as easily work in a virtual-reality environment.

Apple touted the Vision Pro’s functionality with augmented reality, but

that AR is emulated.

Foundry

But even more than that, app developers can create entire VR experiences within their apps. While Apple will strongly encourage apps to work in augmented reality–and if you want to walk around objects, it’s required–that won’t stop the ability for apps that do what we think of as “traditional” VR experiences.

In other words, Apple didn’t talk about VR games, the most popular category of software in existing VR hardware, but VR games will absolutely be a part of the Vision Pro experience. No, we don’t know how good Apple’s hand- and eye-tracking technology will be when it comes to the needs of various VR games. But we will certainly find out.

Yes, there will be fitness apps

Apple didn’t announce any Vision Pro integration with its Fitness+ service, which I admit was a bit of a surprise. On Meta’s headsets, apps like Supernatural and Beat Saber have gained huge followings as ways to spice up the drudgery of regular workouts.

I can’t say whether Fitness+ will appear on Vision Pro at launch–Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests it won’t–but if Apple doesn’t fill the gap, someone else will. Savvy app developers will try to be the next Beat Saber. And no matter how heavy or awkward the Vision Pro might be, no matter how much sweat the Vision Pro’s 3-D-knit headband might soak in, people will try to use VR for workouts. It’s going to happen.

Apple Fitness+ seems like a natural fit for the Apple Vision Pro, but the company has yet to reveal any plans for the service.

Apple

Yes, there will be Memoji

Apple wanted to impress everyone with the Digital Persona, a replica of your face created via an in-depth initial scan that’s animated by Vision Pro sensors looking at your eye, face, and body gestures. I found them creepy, and I definitely wasn’t the only person who used the Vision Pro at WWDC who thought so.

I’m pretty sure Apple has never intended the Digital Persona to be the only option for users who need a proxy for interaction with other people when wearing the Vision Pro. It’s technology Apple was proud of, so it showed it off as a way to boast–as well as a way of explaining how the EyeSight feature was created.

But it can’t be the only option. Let’s start with the fact that not everyone will feel comfortable using a representation of themselves as they are if they can help it. There’s a good reason why Apple’s Memoji creation interface lets you choose a wide range of characteristics, including many that don’t even exist in human beings! Or you can choose to be an animated emoji character.

And really, if we’re being honest, it’s highly likely that the entire Memoji project was an early move in the direction of avatars for the Vision Pro. Do we really think Apple’s going to insist on Digital Personas for everyone, even if they’d rather just be an elephant? Not gonna happen.

Memojis seem like a natural fit with the VIsion Pro.

Foundry

Yes, Siri will be involved

Apple’s film about the Vision Pro shows a user reading out a website address via voice at one point. It’s pretty much the only example of Apple’s voice assistant being shown with the headset. But it’s almost inconceivable that voice control won’t be a major portion of the device’s interface.

When I used the Vision Pro, there were numerous moments when I realized that rather than manipulating a virtual interface via hand gesture, I’d probably be better off just issuing a voice command. But Siri wasn’t active on our demo headsets, probably because it’s just not good enough–and because if Apple leaned into it too much, it would make the rest of the Vision Pro interface work the company has done look a little less special.

A reliance on voice control by all of those people in solitary environments, sprawled on couches or sitting in chairs, might also reinforce the antisocial nature of these devices–if you’re comfortable constantly interjecting to Siri, that implies that nobody else is within earshot–and that’s very much not the impression Apple wants to give right now.

But there’s just no way that visionOS is a platform that isn’t strongly linked to voice commands. It just makes too much sense.

Yes your other Apple devices will play a role

The Vision Pro appears to be a peer to the iPad and iPhone, capable of running iOS apps itself without any connection to those devices. Still, we didn’t see much direct integration between Apple’s most popular product and the Vision Pro.

Perhaps it won’t be there on day one, but I have a hard time believing that the iPhone won’t work tightly with Vision Pro. In macOS Sonoma, Apple’s introducing the concept of iPhone widgets that are projected right onto your Mac desktop. Why not extend that to Vision Pro? What about launching apps on your iPhone and viewing them right within Vision Pro? Maybe even more than one at a time?

Sure, you can look down and use your iPhone while using Vision Pro, but that’s always going to be a pretty limited experience. I have to think that Apple is working hard to figure out the best ways to use Continuity features to attach all of its devices to the Vision Pro–but most especially the iPhone.

The Vision Pro won’t be here for some time yet. We’ve heard Apple’s opening sales pitch, but it isn’t nearly time for the company to close the deal. There’s more to this story than we’ve heard so far. Stay tuned.

Virtual Reality

5 Vision Pro features Apple doesn’t want to talk about

tigaman webdesign — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 10:30:00 +0000

Macworld

With the Vision Pro, there’s more to come. Here’s where I think Apple will have a much larger story to tell.

Yes, it’s really a VR headset

Apple touted the Vision Pro’s functionality with augmented reality, but

that AR is emulated.

Foundry

Yes, there will be fitness apps

Apple Fitness+ seems like a natural fit for the Apple Vision Pro, but the company has yet to reveal any plans for the service.

Apple

Yes, there will be Memoji

Memojis seem like a natural fit with the VIsion Pro.

Foundry

Yes, Siri will be involved

But there’s just no way that visionOS is a platform that isn’t strongly linked to voice commands. It just makes too much sense.

Your other Apple devices will probably be more involved

Virtual Reality

Apple is changing the charging port with iPhone 15, and it won’t be like the last time

tigaman webdesign — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 21:22:07 +0000

When Apple unveils the iPhone 15 line in two months, it will also announce the first charging port change since the iPhone 5. For a lot of iPhone users, however, nothing will change with how the iPhone is charged.

more…

The post Apple is changing the charging port with iPhone 15, and it won’t be like the last time appeared first on 9to5Mac.

Apple may be planning a new, more independent Mac display

tigaman webdesign — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 16:23:40 +0000

Photo by Becca Farsace / The Verge

Apple may be planning a new display with a custom Apple silicon chip — similar to the A13-powered Studio Display — that would allow it to be gain behavior that’s completely independent of the Mac, such as the ability to act as a smart display when not in use, said Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in the subscriber-only version of his Power On newsletter today.

Rumors have swirled about Apple’s display plans for a little while. For instance, the company may be working on a 27-inch mini-LED display and a follow-up to the pricey Apple Pro Display XDR, with the ability to summon Siri built into the displays themselves, possibly.

The new smart display capability sounds a lot like the StandBy feature coming in iOS 17 later this year. StandBy lets iPhones serve as smart displays when they’re plugged into power and turned horizontally. The feature is partially reminiscent of an alarm clock, and dimming the screen to a dull red at night when you’re sleeping, while also adding glanceable widgets and smart home control right from StandBy.

Interestingly, the feature, or something very like it, was first rumored for the iPad late last year, but Apple didn’t announce it for its tablets at WWDC 2023. Whether it will come in future versions of iPadOS 17 remains to be seen.

Casetify reveals lineup of Apple Vision Pro accessories

tigaman webdesign — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 09:00:47 +0000

Apple Vision Pro won’t release until early 2024, but that hasn’t stopped Casetify from showing off a preview of its accessory lineup for Apple’s headset.

Apple Vision Pro x Casetify

Apple revealed Apple Vision Pro, its first Spatial Computing device, during WWDC 2023. The company shared that there would be ample options for accessories at launch, and Casetify is among the first to announce its lineup.

Casetify reveals lineup of Apple Vision Pro accessories

tigaman webdesign — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 09:00:47 +0000

Apple Vision Pro won’t release until early 2024, but that hasn’t stopped Casetify from showing off a preview of its accessory lineup for Apple’s headset.

Apple Vision Pro x Casetify

Beats Studio Pro spec sheet appears to leak in full

tigaman webdesign — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 11:01:21 +0000

The existing Beats Solo Pro, which were released in 2019. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

Weeks after 9to5Mac revealed some initial details of Beats unannounced Studio Pro headphones, the publication has followed up with what appears to be a complete list of specs for the over-ears. They’re expected to have a premium price tag of $349 and the Apple-owned audio brand could announce them as soon as next month.

Headline specs include a battery life that extends up to 40 hours with active noise cancellation and transparency mode turned off, or 24 hours with either feature turned on. There’s support for Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking when used with compatible Apple devices as well as personalized spatial audio, two features that have previously been available with the true wireless Beats Fit Pro.

Image: 9to5Mac

Images of the Beats Studio Pro that leaked last month.

And yes, the Beats Studio Pro are also reportedly going to include a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack for wired listening. 9to5Mac reports that buyers will get both a 3.5mm cable, as well as a USB-C-to-USB-C charging cable in the box. It’s a welcome inclusion after the AirPods Max went Lightning-only.

If priced at $349, the Beats Studio Pro would cost the same as the aging Beats Studio 3, which were first released back in 2017. A Studio 3 replacement would be long overdue — they are so old that they use a Micro USB connector for charging, for example. Several of the specs listed by 9to5Mac compare the Studio Pro directly to the Studio 3, like a claim that the new headphones will offer 80 percent “increased audio fidelity,” and 27 percent better voice isolation for calls. The Studio 3 also don’t include a transparency mode.

Rounding out the features, there’ll reportedly be three sound modes available: a balanced “Signature” profile, an “Entertainment” profile that tries to liven things up for games and movies, and a “Conversation” profile for calls and podcasts. 9to5Mac says these will be available when listening via a USB-C cable, but you have to imagine they’ll also be available when listening wirelessly or via the 3.5mm cable.

Although Beats is owned by Apple, 9to5Mac reports that the Studio Pro will also be compatible with various Google technologies including Fast Pair, Audio Switch, and Find My Device. Apple users will reportedly get one-touch pairing, over-the-air updates, and support for “Hey Siri” and Find My.

Apple’s New Beats Studio Pro Expected to Launch in July With USB-C, Improved Sound, and More

tigaman webdesign — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 15:16:37 +0000

Apple is planning to release new Beats Studio Pro wireless over-ear headphones on July 19, according to details shared by Myke Hurley on the Apple-related podcast “Connected” last week (via Reddit). Hurley said he obtained the details from an anonymous source who previously shared accurate details about the Beats Studio Buds+ earbuds.

Hurley’s source claimed that the Studio Pro will be available in four colors, including Black, Navy, Sandstone, and Deep Brown, and leaked images from @aaronp613 show the headphones will have a very similar design as the Beats Studio3. The headphones are said to feature a USB-C port for charging instead of micro-USB, upgraded microphones, optimized sound profiles, a new carrying case, and support for Android features such as Fast Pair and Find My Device. The headphones will retain a 3.5mm headphone jack, the source added.

Like the Studio Buds+, it is likely that the Studio Pro will also feature improved active noise cancellation and longer battery life.

An early reseller listing indicates that the Studio Pro will retail for around €399 in Europe, which would be the same price as the Studio3. This suggests the headphones will likely cost around $349.95 in the U.S. at launch. The Studio3 are equipped with Apple’s W1 chip, but it’s unclear which chip the Studio Pro will use.

Evidence of the Studio Pro already emerged in macOS 13.4 code and in an FCC filing in recent weeks, but Beats has yet to officially announce them. The headphones would serve as a long-overdue update to the Studio3, released in 2017. More information should become available closer to the rumored July 19 launch date.

Tags: Beats, Beats Studio Pro

This article, "Apple's New Beats Studio Pro Expected to Launch in July With USB-C, Improved Sound, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Vision Pro Features ‘Left Out’ For Now Include Fitness Apps, Full-Body Tracking, and More

tigaman webdesign — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 14:09:41 +0000

The Information‘s Wayne Ma today reiterated several features that Apple apparently developed but did not announce for the Vision Pro at WWDC earlier this month, including various fitness and wellness apps, full-body tracking, and more.

Ma said some of the features could remain in development, while others may have been abandoned. Apple is not releasing the Vision Pro until early 2024, and has yet to reveal complete details about the device, so there may be additional features that will be available at launch. Apple can also add features with visionOS software updates.

On fitness and wellness apps:

At one point, though, Apple planned many more fitness and wellness applications for the headset, according to former employees who worked on the device. Some employees discussed collaborations with brands such as Nike for working out with the headset, while others investigated face cushions that were better suited for sweaty, high-intensity workouts, said one of the people. One proposal even involved wearing and interacting with content on the Vision Pro while on a stationary bike, a former employee said.

On full-body tracking:

Apple has yet to complete full-body tracking, which it had planned for the device, according to multiple people who worked on it. That feature is among the reasons the device has two cameras that point downward and can see the wearer’s body and hands. Apple representatives told developers earlier this month that full-body tracking wouldn’t be available when the device ships next year, according to screenshots of an Apple-hosted Slack conversation following the Vision Pro launch event.

The report added that Apple had planned to make 3D content available on Apple TV+, but that could be announced later. Apple also apparently did not emphasize gaming on the Vision Pro as much as it was planning to at an earlier stage, and the ability to use the headset as an external display for a Mac is apparently not as advanced as once planned.

The full article at The Information offers more details. Over the coming months, the Vision Pro’s full feature set should become clearer.

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro

Tag: The Information

Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

This article, "Vision Pro Features 'Left Out' For Now Include Fitness Apps, Full-Body Tracking, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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When to Expect the Next iMac to Launch

tigaman webdesign — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 13:44:11 +0000

Apple released the 24-inch iMac in April 2021 with the M1 chip and an ultra-thin design available in seven colors, including green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver. This is currently the only iMac in Apple’s lineup, as the Intel-based 27-inch iMac and iMac Pro models were both discontinued over the past few years.

In his Power On newsletter last week, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman reiterated that Apple has no plans to release an iMac with the M2 chip and will instead wait to update the computer with the M3 chip, which the company has yet to announce. Gurman expects the M3 chip to have similar CPU and GPU core counts as the M2 chip, but it is expected to use TSMC’s 3nm process for significant performance and power efficiency improvements. All existing Apple silicon chips for Macs are manufactured based on TSMC’s 5nm process.

Gurman expects the next iMac to launch by early 2024, and believes the computer will have a similar design as the current model, which starts at $1,299. This means the iMac will likely go around three years between hardware updates.

Other Macs expected to be updated with the M3 chip in the future include the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini.

Related Roundup: iMac

Buyer’s Guide: iMac (Don’t Buy)

Related Forum: iMac

This article, "When to Expect the Next iMac to Launch" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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