The conversation around Apple Vision Pro is extensive. Is it a dud? A revolutionary tool? Somewhere in the middle? Most discussions seem disconnected from the actual user experience. After hesitating over Vision Pro’s steep price for nearly a year, I recently took the plunge and would like to share three remarkable experiences I’ve had in visionOS that have brought me immense joy.
Exploring a new neighborhood with Apple Maps
Recently, I discussed a new feature in Apple Maps that has greatly enhanced my experience: the ability to search for places within the visible area of the map.
This feature is particularly valuable as I often use Maps to discover new locations. Whether planning vacations or simply exploring my everyday surroundings, I find joy in uncovering hidden gems in my home city, New York, through Apple Maps.
When my family recently relocated, I utilized my Vision Pro to get a head start on exploring our new neighborhood.
Using Vision Pro to familiarize myself with the area was an absolute game-changer. I experienced immense delight browsing through Look Around in visionOS with a sizeable app interface.
As I navigated, I saved various restaurants, cafés, and other intriguing places to check out once we settled in. This method of preparation made the transition much smoother, and I see this becoming a regular part of my routine going forward.
Interestingly, Apple Maps in visionOS isn’t even a dedicated application. It operates as an iPad app in compatibility mode, but the immersive quality that Vision Pro offers still makes it feel unique.
Enjoying a 3D film
There seems to be a broad agreement that Vision Pro excels in the entertainment department, although its effectiveness for productivity remains under debate. One standout feature of visionOS is the support for Immersive Video, a unique 180-degree video format that Apple has developed.
My opinions on Immersive Video are still evolving, but one of the most delightful entertainment experiences I’ve enjoyed with Vision Pro was watching a 3D animated movie.
I’ve experienced 3D live-action films, which are passable, especially CG-heavy titles like Avatar. However, my top choice thus far has been Disney’s Moana in 3D.
The animation is stunning, and the 3D effects are captivating, making my viewing of Moana feel uniquely special compared to traditional options.
Voice-driven computing with Siri
I realize it may not be the most opportune moment to speak positively about Siri, as Apple’s assistant has its fair share of challenges that need addressing, and I genuinely hope the Vision Pro team can enhance them.
Nonetheless, my experience using Siri on Vision Pro, despite its limitations, has been quite fulfilling.
On Apple’s other devices, I typically rely on Siri for tasks like setting timers, creating reminders, or answering trivia questions. However, in Vision Pro, the voice-first approach adds a much more appealing layer to interaction.
Since I don’t always have access to a keyboard and trackpad while using Vision Pro, voice commands become the most efficient means of accomplishing tasks. Although the eye and hand tracking in visionOS is impressive, simply speaking to Siri and having it handle requests proves to be very satisfying.
Siri still has a long journey ahead, but a truly intelligent version of Siri could revolutionize the spatial computing landscape.
Conclusion of my Vision Pro diary
My initial experiences with the Vision Pro have been far from flawless. I continue to face challenges in finding the right fit for the device, and I acknowledge the weight can be an issue. I also haven’t yet explored ‘real work’ in visionOS thoroughly. However, today, I wanted to highlight the delightful moments I’ve encountered that make Vision Pro feel unique. I anticipate sharing more insights about my visionOS journey in the coming weeks.
What delightful experiences have you had with Vision Pro? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
