Dive into the nuanced discussion between Ed Zitron and Joanna Stern on Better Offline as they dissect the Vision Pro’s performance and implications for the future of AR/VR technologies. They navigate the rocky terrain of this ambitious device, laying bare the reality behind its alluring promise: when Vision Pro works as intended, it immerses users in a customizable digital world, yet a gap between expectation and delivery is evident, marked by fitment woes, unreliable tracking, and interface hiccups.
The conversation covers more than just the product's performance; it delves into the larger conversation about the industry's readiness for such high-stakes innovation. With a price tag that poses significant pause, the episode leaves listeners pondering whether the Vision Pro's advanced features justify its cost in light of missing mainstream support and essential applications. The technological landscape is on the cusp of a revolution, and as Google and other major players invest in AR/VR, this episode of Better Offline captures the current standoff between potential and practicality in the realm of wearable computing.
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Vision Pro has been criticized for a poor fit that leads to tracking issues and an inconsistent user experience. Reports suggest the device frequently malfunctions, failing to display menus or recognize eye-tracking selections. This problem appears to connect directly to issues with the product's fit and interface, often requiring hard restarts. The ordering process is flawed, offering expensive sizing adjustments that fail to provide a comfortable fit for most users, resulting in a red mark on the forehead for some. The lack of effective customer support exacerbates these problems, leaving users to seek solutions on forums like Reddit. The rushed-to-market feeling of Vision Pro, indicated by its beta status and unpolished features, reinforces the impression that it was released without thorough testing.
Ed Zitron and Joanna Stern have heavily criticized the Vision Pro keyboard for its failure in functionality, difficult text entry, and drastic departure from Apple’s historical keyboard design. The virtual keyboard’s cumbersome interface hampers workflow, with unexpected pop-ups even while using a physical keyboard, and demonstrates a lack of real-world workflow testing. Users experience erratic text selection and disruption when typing, signaling that real-world usage scenarios were not adequately assessed. This poor experience starkly contrasts with the high-quality standards expected from Apple products.
Despite its issues, Vision Pro can offer an immersive and customizable experience when it operates smoothly. Users can create a virtual multi-monitor workspace in any physical setting, which enhances productivity and creativity. Eye and finger controls provide intuitive navigation through apps and documents, giving users a more integrated experience with their environment. The advanced pass-through video technology enables users to remain aware of their surroundings, although it's not typically suggested for use in public settings.
The Vision Pro's high cost, which starts at $3,500, is not considered justifiable given its numerous limitations. Significant issues such as a lack of mainstream developer support and the absence of key applications greatly reduce the device's value. The presence of software bugs and the need for expensive additional accessories suggest that the Vision Pro's current utility and reliability do not match its high price tag. Compared to traditional hardware, which offers greater functionality at a lower price, Vision Pro presents a less economically rational option for consumers.
Despite current shortcomings, there is potential for AR/VR technologies like Vision Pro to revolutionize the future of computing. Encouraging productivity use cases, such as Stern's cooking scenario, reveal how these technologies may enhance everyday tasks. As major developers like Google engage more with AR/VR, the computing landscape could be transformed with innovative applications. However, before this transformation can reach the mainstream, significant bugs and user experience issues will need to be resolved to make these devices accessible and friendly to the average consumer.
1-Page Summary
Concerns have been raised about the functionality and user experience of Vision Pro, with numerous reports suggesting that the product suffers from significant issues related to fit, tracking, and customer support, hinting at a hasty release.
Ed Zitron describes various problems with the device, ranging from the inability to display menus or projected elements to malfunctions in eye-tracking capabilities. These issues imply that the hardware or software may frequently bug out. Zitron had observed the product failing to recognize selections in documents, an issue seemingly related to the fit and eye-tracking functionality. He also reported instances where the Vision Pro did not properly load the user interface, calling for hard restarts. Additionally, when picking up the device, it would sometimes not accept where he was looking, leading to a disconcerting experience.
Zitron criticizes the sizing and ordering process, explaining that obtaining a different sized light seal is expensive and the device feels wrong when worn. Moreover, the cushions that line the light seals cost extra. This suggests that most users are not properly accommodated by the current sizing options, which appear to be nonsensical. Stern reinforces this point by discussing how the Vision Pro did not fit her colleagues well and often left them with a red mark on their foreheads. She added that the supply chain and infrastructure for getting the Vision Pro accurately fitted are inadequate, creating a highly variable experience among users.
Zitron and Stern express frustration at the lack of support offered by Apple for the Vision Pro. They share experiences of having to rely on Reddit posts for help, problematic support calls that were brief and unhelply, and being left on hold without resolution. Zitron had expected warnings for poor fit or eye-tracking issues, but they failed ...
Vision Pro's poor fit leads to inconsistent experience and tracking issues
Ed Zitron and Joanna Stern unleash scathing reviews of the Vision Pro's keyboard, describing it as an embodiment of failure in functionality that also strays far from Apple’s historical standard of keyboard design.
Zitron characterizes the Vision Pro keyboard as the worst he has encountered on any modern consumer device. Typing is awkward, cumbersome, and feels more like a physical exertion of pecking or poking at the air, which is both ill-suited for tasks requiring precision and nonfunctional for practical use. Not only is text entry difficult, but the virtual keyboard also interferes with workflows, especially when it pops up unexpectedly even while using a physical keyboard.
Both Zitron and Stern point out the stark contrast between the Vision Pro keyboard and the level of excellence ordinarily associated with Apple products. Stern expresses her disbelief and disappointment, noting that the experience feels uncharacteristic for the brand known for its intuitive and high-quality hardware. She illustrates the disjointed nature of looking down to type only to have to look up to see the entered text. The reviewers concur that the keyboard feels like an incomplete product without the addition of a physical keyboard.
Zitron sheds light on the troubl ...
Vision Pro keyboard is astonishingly bad
The Vision Pro, when functioning correctly, offers an engaging and adaptable experience that blends the virtual and actual worlds, providing users with an innovative way to interact with their digital environment.
Users of the Vision Pro are provided with the ability to transform any space into a dynamic workspace, complete with the ability to move and resize windows using hand and eye controls. Joanna Stern and Zitron attest to the productivity and convenience offered by the device, as Stern described setting multiple timers virtually above a pot while cooking, and Zitron shared his experience of writing a lengthy script in a comfortable setting, which showcases the creative possibilities that come with having multiple monitors available anywhere.
Stern illustrates how the digital interface of the Vision Pro can be overlaid onto physical objects, offering an experience that seamlessly integrates virtual and real elements. The controls of the device are designed to be intuitive; users ...
When Vision Pro works well, the experience is immersive and customizable
The Vision Pro's steep price and performance issues have sparked debate among tech commentators, with many concluding that its cost is not yet justified given its current limitations.
Starting at $3,500 and reaching nearly $4,000 for models with more storage, the Vision Pro's cost is a significant financial investment, comparable to or even exceeding the monthly rent for many people. Critics like Zitron and Stern point to the device's lack of mainstream developer support and the absence of key applications as major setbacks.
Compatibility with essential iPhone and iPad apps is paltry, with notable omissions like YouTube and Netflix. Furthermore, while platforms like Slack are available, they're not optimized for the Vision Pro, leading to a frustrating user experience. While YouTube has announced plans for more apps, the current deficit hampers the device’s utility, especially in professional contexts.
Stern highlights the presence of major applications such as Microsoft 365, yet Google services have not been adapted for the device, revealing a gap in critical developer engagement. The sparse developer community calls into question the device's readiness for the consumer market.
Beyond developer support, the Vision Pro suffers from numerous software problems. Zitron had to seek community-led solutions on Reddit, revealing a void of official guidance. Selecting text in Google Docs, as an example, is reported to be 'extremely broken,' illustrating software issues unsuitable for a consumer device.
Moreover, bugs are described as profoundly affecting the user experience, raising concern about the device's reliability. An additional jest from Stern is that to unlock the full potential of Vision Pro, one mus ...
Vision Pro’s high price of entry cannot currently be justified
Stern offers a glimpse into how augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies, such as Vision Pro, could redefine the computing experience, marking a potential shift in how we engage with digital and real-world tasks.
Using an innovative scenario for cooking, Stern illustrates the productive capabilities of the Vision Pro, highlighting its utility in improving everyday activities. This instance supports the broader potential for AR/VR technology to benefit productivity. Stern also notes the inclusion of Microsoft 365 apps within the device, hinting at further productivity applications and suggesting that once developers like Google notice users interacting with the product, they may invest more, forging a path for a transformation in computing.
Further, Stern underscores that devices like the Vision Pro could revolutionize how we view computing, the environments we work in, and our approaches to work, setting the stage for a seamless blend between virtual assistance and physical t ...
Potential exists for future AR/VR to transform computing
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