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Update:My fullApple Vision Pro reviewis now complete and ready for you to read.
It was mostly smooth sailing with one early, albeit tiny, bump in the road.
Apple Vision Pro box
A package arrives
January 30th 4:30 PM:
The box arrives!
Inside is a tall white box that reminds me of oversized iPhone packaging.
I mean, it is different, but also oddly familiar at least on the outside.
Apple Vision Pro box
The carrying case looks like it might be more at home on the moon.
A covering I initially took for packaging is the case’s Apollo-mission space-suit-like material.
While it’s not remotely cramped, there is a lot in the Vision Pro box.
What comes in the box.
First is the spatial computer itself, nestled comfortably inside with its Solo Knit Band already attached.
Every accessory is wrapped in Apple-ly cardboard.
There’s an extra Light Seal Cushion.
(Image credit: Future)
There’s also a USB-C cable and power adapter to charge the battery.
Unboxing Vision Pro
5:00 PM ET
Iunbox the Vision Produring a TikTok live stream.
While doing so, I realized that Apple still has my Zeiss lens inserts.
(Image credit: Future)
Without them, the visuals in the headset will be blurry.
Things easily pop off.
Again, super easy to put back on.
(Image credit: Future)
The difference between the two is barely perceptible.
6:00 PM ET
Time to take some photos of the Vision Pro
7:15PM ET
My custom Zeiss lenses arrive.
Now the fun begins.
(Image credit: Future)
To get started, I connect the power to the side of the Vision Pro.
It’s a push-and-turn operation, similar to how you might mount a lens of a DSLR.
It’s easy (very little with the Vision Pro isn’t easy).
(Image credit: Future)
These lenses are not going anywhere.
It explains the eye tracking and subtle gestures you use to control the unit.
I think Apple did a good job here.
(Image credit: Future)
I start by using the Solo Knit Band, which means the headset is fairly tight on my face.
However, the back of the band is, at least initially, more comfortable than the Dual-Loop.
I decide to slide the battery pack into my front pocket.
(Image credit: Future)
You go through virtually all the same steps.
I make a FaceTime call to my wife in the other room.
Her reaction to my digital persona is not exactly enthusiastic.
(Image credit: Future)
She calls it disturbing.
I ask my wife to grab some screenshots and send them to me (see above).
7:35PM ET
The visuals are still pretty astounding.
(Image credit: Future)
I use Siri to openSafari.
The expert integration of Siri throughout the system is a nice revelation.
Imagine if it had worked this well when Apple launched it on theiPhone 4s.
(Image credit: Future)
7:50PM ET
Had to take a break because it was hurting my forehead.
The right fit and an endless desktop
8:10PM ET
Switched to Dual Loop Band.
Now that I got the adjustment right, I think it’s more comfortable.
(Image credit: Future)
It lets you throw in on an AR keyboard in the air using your fingers.
It’s pretty cool, though without tactile feedback, typos proliferate.
I never have to take off the headset to see my phone or anything else, for that matter.
(Image credit: Future)
The passthrough is good enough that I can always see whatever I need to see.
I’ve been typing on myMacBook Pro M3and get ready to expand my desktop into augmented reality.
Using the control panel, I enter the Mac Virtual Display.
(Image credit: Future)
No more looking down at a laptop screen!
Of course, I still have to occasionally look at my hands to pop in.
Later when I switch to my real desktop it feels incredibly cramped.
My Vision Pro Persona
I’m a bit torn about the control panel system.
You access it by looking up at a tiny green arrow near the top of your viewport.
Itching to have some more immersive fun.
The home screen that you reach by pressing the Digital Crown.
I try the moon environment, which virtually puts you on the surface of the moon.
I choosePrehistoric Planet: Immersive,which is just wild.
The visuals here are stunning.
Apple Vision Pro with the Dual Loop Band.
This is what I imagined when I first started thinking about virtual reality.
Having a realistic dinosaur just centimeters from your face changes you.
I’m enjoying moving things around my endless virtual desktop.
Adding Mac Virtual Desktop to my Vision Pro interface.
There is simply no better platform for viewing all these photos than the Vision Pro.
In a photo of a lovely rainbow cresting over my neighborhood, I spot colors I previously missed.
The spatial videography that I captured on myPhone 15 Pro Maxlooks great.
Vision Pro control panel.
I leave my home office and walk into the living room.
On her side, she can see my “eyes” in the Vision Pro’s front display.
I could almost hear the air quotes in her voice.
The view of my Vision Pro EyeSight in action.
There are, at the moment, about 20 such apps.
I install a half-dozen free ones.
I love how smoothly the different platforms work together.
(Image credit: Future)
It takes a beat to download an environment like the Avengers Tower.
9:30PM ET
The degree to which I enjoy watching 3D movies with the Vision Pro surprises me.
Even though the headset has some heft, I’m noticing it less and less.
(Image credit: Future)
I’m sure I can handle a two-hour movie in this thing.
Where is my popcorn?
As I punch in this, I realize that my pocket is warm.
(Image credit: Future)
The battery does generate some heat while in use.
Also, I see I’m down to 37% power.
Doubtful I’ll make it through this whole movie.
(Image credit: Future)
Battery life
9:45PM ET
Down to 20% battery life.
Movies seem to drain the battery fast.
Found a game called Loona.
(Image credit: Future)
There’s an adorable blue character.
When I look at her (it?)
and pinch my fingers she hiccups and giggles.
Using the Apple Vision Pro virtual keyboard.
Loona turns out to be a calming puzzle game that I manipulate by pinching and dragging pieces into place.
I switch back to the movie.
What a wonderful experience.
Asphalt 8 in Vision Pro.
10:05PM ET
Vision Pro ran out of power.
The battery is warm.
Time to recharge and catch some shuteye.
Wearing Apple Vision Pro.
Instead of running solely off battery power, I’m keeping the battery plugged into a wall outlet.
This has the unfortunate side effect of doubling the number of wires running near my body.
Not a big deal but I can’t just get up and walk away from my desk.
Just realized I never finished Wordle.
Oh well, there goes that streak.
The 3D spatial photo of my hand is so good it’s creepy.
The 3D spatial video, despite the somewhat annoying visual guidance, looks excellent.
Not sure if something has gone wrong with the calibration.
The system just asked me to move the Vision Pro slightly to the left on my head.
It’s constantly tracking my eyes, so perhaps it noticed the eye-tracking was slightly off.
That may have solved my little parallax issue.
Been experimenting with capture.
It works perfectly every time.
7:53AM ET
I experience my first app crash.
The App Store stopped responding and then it disappeared.
Can’t seem to get my virtual keyboard to appear at all in the App Store or Safari.
8:20AM ET
Back in it and the keyboard malfunction appears to have solved itself.
Someone asks me on Threads if there’s a lot of light leakage.
I tell them little, if any.
It’s quite something.
My wife asks me if I feel disoriented when I remove the headset.
Perhaps that’s because I’m often using it with the real-world view intact.
Still, I think it has a lot to do with the virtual quality and eye-tracking capabilities.
Heading into video meetings that my Vision Pro persona does not support.
Ready to game
10:00AM ET
I want to tie off this initial test run with a game.
Turns out there are a lot of simple mini-games designed explicitly for the Vision Pro.
I end up playingWhat the Golf, which takes me a little while to master.
Later I connect the controller and use it to playAsphalt 8: Airborne Plus.
I do think gamers who can afford it will come to love the Vision Pro.
10:45AM ET
I end up playing for just 15 minutes before getting back to work.
I launchPhotoshopon my MacBook Pro and try editing photos on the big screen.
As I’m working, an iMessage alert comes through.
I pinch on the floating iMessage icon and it launches iMessage where I can read it in the app.
Initial thoughts
What did I learn from the first two days with Apple Vision Pro?
It delivers on its promises.
It’s versatile and powerful.
The eye and gesture tracking is almost faultless.
I wore it for an hour or more at a time without any pain or discomfort.
It’s as good at fun and content consumption as it is at work.
I especially appreciated the Mac virtual display integration, something I now believe could transform my work life.
I’ve always wanted a bigger desktop and now I have an almost limitless one.
For all that, I still don’t know if I would spend $3,500 on it.
Is a rig that’s equal parts work machine and entertainment room worth those extra bucks?
