3 Apple design choices to mainstream XR
launching our product, Apple's launch, remote work sci-fi short, and solar sailing
I just got back a bit ago from AWE, it’s like an annual family reunion for the XR industry. We also officially launched our company and product at the show. Months of work culminating in coming together in person to launch our SDK for Unity.
🍎 3 Apple design choices to mainstream XR
If you missed it, Apple launched a new product, the Vision Pro, and while it’s a steep price tag for the average consumer, I’m really glad they’ve entered the fray. They were very careful to not mention VR or “metaverse”, instead focusing on terms like spatial computing. Make no mistake, this is one of the most powerful VR headsets built so far, but they don’t want the consumer to compare them to Meta, they want you to think about your Mac Book, then your iPhone, and now this new thing from them.
They’ve made some interesting design choices that will appeal to the masses I believe:
No controllers
Hand/eye is more intuitive for your mom, cousin, or boss. The controller learning curve is a huge friction point for people with no previous gaming experience.
Default real world
Being in your real environment is more natural for people, things that are more natural increases usage. This coupled with their external screen to show others your eyes further reduces a common pain point of normal people, they don't want to shut out the world.
2D content first
Meet people where they are and show them how they can do what they're already doing in a new way, not just entirely new things. Apple showcased watching movies, working on docs and spreadsheets with infinite monitors, and being in a group face time chat. All things people already do, but in an upgraded, spatial way.
I'm thankful they're here, as Apple will get the normies in XR for sure. Once there, we the developers, will have more people in VR headsets, regardless of what Apple calls it.
🥽 Remote work in VR
Apple showcased work in VR, I’ve written a little sci-fi short that may make that a little more real for you
"hey, you got a second?"
Slightly startled by the intrusion, I turned to see Jane, one of the team's designers. I'd been staring out the window at the planet's surface below and didn't notice her come up.
"Hey Jane, sure, what's up?" I say.
"We're done with the latest design of the new user note taking system, want to come take a look and sign off?" She asks.
I often come to this observation deck in my afternoons to think and brainstorm. I've told the team that unless I put on a 'Busy' status they can interrupt me during this time. Why she came in-person instead of pinging me, I don't know.
"Sure," I say as I get to my feet and throw my notepad over my shoulder into my inventory. "Shall we teleport there?" I ask as I pull up my wrist console to look where the other designers are.
"No, I thought we'd walk" she said a little hesitantly, "I'd like to talk about something else too".
Ahhh, so this is why she showed up in person. Looking at the map on my wrist, the team was about halfway across the ship. A 10 minute walk on foot at normal speed. Perfect amount of time for a little walk and talk.
Given we can teleport everywhere in VR I don't usually walk across the ship, I was looking forward to it.
I smile at her as we set off and ask, "what's on your mind?"
Remote work and VR are slowly intersecting in really interesting ways.
Almost all of the criticisms of remote work can be eliminated with advanced VR apps like the spaceship office of our protagonist and Jane.
As an early career employee Jane can work in a collaborative space and get in some solid face time with her boss in VR. They can even do a walk and talk, a favorite for me in real life when I used to work in an office.
In VR we can have every single upside of in-person with zero downsides, and now that Apple is in the fray, more people will have an opportunity to work in an environment like the above.
🚢 an electric solar cruise ship
You’ll probably never get me to step foot on a normal cruise ship, just not my thing.
But a company in Norway is desiging an all electric sailing cruise ship. Now that I would like to step aboard.
🌞 The US solar market to triple in 5 years
Getting energy from the sun just makes sense
Would you buy an Apple Vision Pro if the price were right? Drop a comment!