Apple Vision Pro: Luxury Headset Sees Updates Amidst Competition from Affordable Meta Quest 3
December 20, 2024The Apple Vision Pro mixed reality headset, first announced in mid-2023, has been available for purchase since January 2024.
With a price tag of $3,500, the Vision Pro is positioned as a luxury gadget, and no immediate price drop is anticipated.
Despite its high cost, the Vision Pro faces competition from the more affordable Meta Quest 3, which offers a more appealing alternative for consumers.
Nevertheless, the Vision Pro shows signs of progress in usability and fit, raising questions about future iterations and potential compatibility with other Apple devices.
Recent updates, including a wide and ultra-wide monitor mode with MacOS Sequoia 15.2 and Vision OS 2.2, have significantly improved the headset's functionality.
The Vision Pro can now serve as a viable monitor alternative for smaller computers, although connection stability still requires enhancement.
The curved-screen Virtual Display enhances the user experience, creating a personal workspace that allows for a more immersive computing environment.
While the headset's display quality and audio are exceptional, it does have drawbacks, including an awkward fit and basic Mac mirroring features.
Audio playback has improved, with sound now coming through the Vision Pro's superior speakers, enhancing the experience for games and movies.
The headset has also become better at recognizing keyboards, providing a semi-transparent view while typing, although some latency issues persist.
To improve comfort during extended use, a more affordable Belkin strap offers a good balance of support.
Optional head straps, such as a CPAP-like dual loop strap and a $120 ResMed Kontor strap, enhance comfort for longer wear, despite some being heavy or cumbersome.
An accessory by AnnaPro allows the Vision Pro to float off the face, reducing pressure and potentially increasing the perceived field of view.
Summary based on 1 source
Get a daily email with more Tech stories
Source
CNET • Dec 20, 2024
Apple Vision Pro Finally Gets Better Fit, Improved Mac Modes At Year's End