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Let’s start with the most basic and salient fact:Apple Vision Prois not wireless.
It has an external battery I have seen, touched, and sat beside.
We got close but could not put one on – at least not on that day.
It’s not a secret.
It should not be a surprise.
Somehow, though, it is generating more interestand controversythan almost any other component of the about-to-ship product.
We got close but could not put one on – at least not on that day.
I like it and wish it was a whole lot cheaper.
Later that same day, I took myfirst Vision Pro test drive.
My eyes traced that cable down to the battery brick that was sitting casually on the cushion beside me.
Yup, the cable and battery are hidden from view in this shot.
That in and of itself made the trip worthwhile.
As far as I know, none of the photos of journalists shared online were taken by them.
Apple did the photography, which meant it composed the shots.
Apple provided this press image back in June 2023.
Did Apple do this on purpose?
Is Apple trying to hide something?
I still don’t think so.
The cable was always on display. It had to be since Vision Pro won’t work without it.
The roughly 1 lb.
Vision Pro features all the earmarks of Apple’s iconic design prowess.
The battery is an appendage, a technical decision made with undeniable consequences.
The cable is a fact of life, whether Apple likes it or not.
Wearables demand not just pleasing aesthetics but comfort.
It, like most modern VR headsets I’ve used, integrates the battery.
Headsets like this are, perhaps, heavier and bulkier than you might want for this reason.
I bet there are early prototypes that feature this.
Apple, though did the least Apple thing and kept the battery separate.
But Apple can’t hide the battery.
No one is buying a Vision Pro because of the photo of me wearing it.
So, let me make this as clear as possible.
The Apple Vision Pro is a mixed-reality headset that requires an external battery and cable.
It won’t work without it.
None of this makes it a secret or a lie.
Apple’s choice becomes your choice.
