An Early Adopter’s Reflections on the Apple Vision Pro
When I secured my Apple Vision Pro on its launch day, it was less an act of fandom and more a continuation of a tradition. Though I hesitate to label myself an Apple Fanboy, I am deeply ingrained in the Apple ecosystem. From the first iPhone in 2007 to the Apple Watch, I am an early adopter, particularly to the allure of simplicity and innovation that Apple products promise.
My Apple journey began in college with an iPod (it seemed like a prerequisite for college) and a MacBook Pro. I wasn’t bought into Apple at this stage; I just really enjoyed a MacBook over a Dell. The iPhone bought me in. Watching Steve Jobs unveil the iPhone in January 2007 was a moment of intrigue for me. Until then, I had been rocking a flip phone despite many friends adopting Blackberry. Don’t get me wrong, I thought the Blackberry was cool with BBM and the scroll wheel on the side, but it wasn’t pulling me in the way the iPhone did. The touch screen approach, three devices in one (iPod, phone, and internet), and the dynamic keyboard were the innovations I wanted without realizing what exactly they were until that moment. The leap for me wasn’t just about adopting new technology but embracing a vision for a simplified yet profoundly more capable digital lifestyle.
A much younger me taking an embarrassing mirror selfie with the original iPhone
The iPad’s arrival further solidified my belief in Apple’s vision. The decision to purchase wasn’t immediate; I was skeptical about its utility beyond being a larger iPhone. However, that month, a compelling story unfolded across the Atlantic, which changed my perspective entirely. If you don't recall, one of Iceland’s volcanos completely wrecked European flight travel for a good week in April 2010. The Prime Minister of Norway, stranded in New York due to the volcanic ash cloud, was running his country from his iPad. This wasn’t just a device for consuming media or playing games (while it is certainly great at both of those things); it was being used as a tool for governance, capable of managing a country’s affairs from thousands of miles away. If a nation could be governed through an iPad, surely my personal and professional needs could be easily met.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg running Norway from his iPad while stranded in New York. Source: CBS NEWS
The Apple Watch was a no-brainer for me. I’ve always worn a watch, but I’m not a fancy-watch guy. The Apple Watch’s health and fitness features didn’t resonate; I never owned a Fitbit. What pulled me in was the notifications without having to pull out my phone and the ability not to be physically tethered to my phone at all times. Let’s chalk this up to another ‘take my money, Apple’ moment.
This long-winded preamble brings us to the Apple Vision Pro. My anticipation was not driven by a desire to own the latest Apple device but by understanding its potential to redefine my interaction with technology. The Vision Pro is undeniably a marvel; its immersive experience is unlike anything on the market. Yet, integrating it into my daily life has been challenging, especially with the demands of a busy household.
Something only my wife knows about me is that I read “Ready Player One” almost annually. In many ways, the Apple Vision Pro feels like a stride towards that future - offering a glimpse into immersive technology without the dystopian strings attached. Each reading session is a spark for my imagination, fueling my daydreams of what’s to come. When I first tried on the Apple Vision Pro, it felt like a piece of that future. Here is a device that could potentially bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds in ways we’ve only begun to explore. This intersection of reality and virtual possibility interests me the most. The Vision Pro, despite its current limitations, is a beacon of what’s possible.
Surprisingly, the weight of the Vision Pro, a consistent concern among other reviews, hasn’t been an issue for me. The device’s heft is a small price to pay for the overall experience it provides. The solo knit band, in particular, has been perfect for me over the dual loop band alternative.
Mirroring my laptop screen into a vast, virtual expanse is a feature that epitomizes the Vision Pro’s allure. It promises a seamless blend of our digital and physical lives, though not without its caveats. Relying on a physical keyboard due to the virtual keyboard’s less-than-optimal functionality is a pain.
Where the Vision Pro shines is in content consumption and travel. Watching movies or revisiting photos and videos of my family becomes an immersive experience that’s hard to step away from. The ability to work on sensitive product strategies or presentations in my virtual environment's privacy, undisturbed by a seatmate's curious eyes, is unmatched. This benefit alone underscores the transformative potential of the Vision Pro for professionals on the go, offering a blend of privacy and convenience. Add on the capability of making a movie the size of a theater screen on an airplane; why wouldn’t you want this on a plane?! I’ll tell you why. It takes up 10x the amount of room compared to my iPad.
When it comes to listening to music or podcasts, the Apple Vision Pro hasn’t replaced my AirPods. The simplicity and convenience of my iPhone and earbuds, without the need for a bulky headset, remain unmatched. Similarly, managing emails on the Vision Pro, while feasible, hasn’t proven essential. It’s an interesting feature, indicative of the device’s potential, but it feels more like a novelty rather than a necessity.
However, this brings me to the concept of the S-curve in innovation. The Apple Vision Pro, like many first-generation products, sits at the initial phase of this curve - introducing groundbreaking technology with room for refinement. The S-curve illustrates the lifecycle of innovation: a slow start, rapid acceleration as adoption grows, and eventual leveling off as the market saturates. The Vision Pro’s current limitations are characteristic of this early phase, with significant potential for growth and improvement in future iterations.
Reflecting on my time with Apple’s products, from the iPhone to the Vision Pro, it’s clear that my commitment stems from a belief in technology’s power to transform our lives. While the Vision Pro may not fully integrate into my daily routine, its potential for reshaping personal and professional landscapes is clear. I was speaking with a friend last week about a different scenario - one where if I lived alone without a TV or computer - Apple Vision Pro would be the perfect device. It encapsulates entertainment, productivity, and connectivity in a single package. Yet, my reality is different. I share my life with my wonderful wife and son, and our digital experiences are communal, tethered to devices like the TV and computer that accommodate shared moments.
The Apple Vision Pro, while a significant leap toward the future of personal technology, illuminates a crucial aspect of our digital journey. It’s not just about the individual experience but how these technologies fit into the tapestry of our lives, enriching our connections with others and the world around us. As we edge closer to the visions of the future painted in novels like “Ready Player One,” the challenge remains to integrate these advancements in ways that enhance, rather than encroach upon, our connections with those in our lives.