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Apple cropped Vision Pro photos to remove key part

  • Apple cropped photos of the Vision Pro headset to remove the battery pack, making it look less cumbersome.
  • Journalists were not allowed to take photos or videos of the Vision Pro's hardware during a press briefing.
  • Apple sees the cord from the battery pack as getting in the way of making the headset more mobile.

Archive link: https://archive.ph/GYPuS

https://programming.dev/pictrs/image/8b06d450-c30a-4a02-a532-2093a18575f8.jpeg

LemmyIsFantastic ,

Big nothing burger.

phoneymouse ,

Clickbait… the launch video definitely discusses the battery

realharo ,

This is another "use a black wallpaper to hide the notch" situation. Kinda funny, but ultimately meaningless.

Eggyhead ,

Some sites are just desperate for traffic, it seems.

phoneymouse ,

Right? The launch video shows the battery.

JCreazy ,

I don't think the people that they are marketing to (people who buy Apple products) care. They will buy it just because it's Apple.

geogle ,
@geogle@lemmy.world avatar

There are many, okay dozens, of us that buy what best suits our needs. Mac laptop for work management and interface, Android phone for self, Windows PC for son, and a few linux boxes for number crunching.

SPRUNT ,

Is the Mac laptop so you aren't tempted to touch it unless you have to work?

geogle ,
@geogle@lemmy.world avatar

Well made, dependable, fast, and similar enough to linux that I can do a lot of cross platform development between the two without much issue.

GigglyBobble ,

that I can do a lot of cross platform development

I'd never have thought that to be the strength of an Apple device.

lepinkainen ,

"Best cross-platform support" wasn't in my bingo cards 10 years ago for Apple definitely =)

bamboo ,

A Mac has the unique capability of running fully licensed and supported macOS and iOS. Plus it can run Window, Linux, and Android, just like everything else.

webghost0101 ,

I have multiple co-workers who daily drive linux distros as virtual machines on a macbook.

The one i am most friends with already had a perfectly good desktop that he now keep around so his children can game.

Or actually job can only be done from a work approved windows dell but we have opportunities and ambitions to learn more advanced skills beyond our current scope.

ABoxOfPhotons ,

They'l buy it because if they don't, they won't be admitted into apple heaven.

ABCDE ,

Pointless article when the battery pack is in the main picture they've included! Bizarre stuff.

mihies ,

Read the article, they talk about photos of journalists using it.

ABCDE ,

I did, hence why I mentioned it?

webghost0101 ,

Its clearly visible in official pictures from apple.

Sadly i cant say the same of hyprX with the wires on their Alpha clouds.

https://sopuli.xyz/pictrs/image/e0ead75e-8435-4b19-a387-43af13a97093.webp

https://sopuli.xyz/pictrs/image/88d85d52-d83e-487a-adeb-f9f07df6a22c.webp

Semi-Hemi-Demigod ,
@Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social avatar

This is why VR will not be a thing yet again. Last time the problem was displays weren't compact enough and the computers weren't powerful enough. Now the problem is that batteries are too heavy and it's basically a smartphone strapped to your face.

Get back to me when you have something like a chunky pair of glasses that can overlay a 3D world onto the real one, or even replace it entirely, and last for hours and hours and hours.

Which will be never, because that much energy density would probably explode.

FaceDeer ,
@FaceDeer@kbin.social avatar

Or stop whinging about how the hardware isn't the perfect platonic ideal that you imagined and use it when it's good enough.

Seriously, what's the big deal about a battery pack?

Semi-Hemi-Demigod ,
@Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social avatar

Because it's not useful to me if I can't wear it for a long time, both ergonomically and electrically. What I really, really want from VR is an infinite desktop, but not if I need to strap a pound of weight to my face and be plugged in constantly. I can buy a lot of monitor square footage for $3,500 and I don't need to wear them on my face.

TheDarkKnight ,

Lift.

maniacal_gaff ,

They went with a battery pack to keep the headset light, so ergonomically what you're saying you want.

Semi-Hemi-Demigod ,
@Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social avatar

And even without the battery pack it weighs almost a pound and a half. That's like a 20oz bottle of water strapped to my face. No way I can use that for hours.

FaceDeer ,
@FaceDeer@kbin.social avatar

So complain about that, the thing that is actually a problem for you.

Semi-Hemi-Demigod ,
@Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social avatar

It's a symptom of a larger problem, which is that electronics are no where miniature enough to make VR widespread. It's like trying to make a desktop computer out of vacuum tubes.

pupbiru ,

for YOUR use case… which is using it for extended periods as a massive desktop

i’d say that’s pretty niche actually… most people aren’t using technology for hours at a time

Semi-Hemi-Demigod ,
@Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social avatar

i’d say that’s pretty niche actually… most people aren’t using technology for hours at a time

People spend 4.5 hours a day on average on their phone. People work in front of screens for eight or more hours a day. People - not naming names - have upwards of 1500 hours of play time in Factorio.

You're just wrong here.

maniacal_gaff ,

I have the PS5 VR and it's totally fine to use for long periods of time.

Traister101 ,

Plus nobody would actually want to live in the metaverse we see in media; Snowcrash, Ready Player One ect. The metaverse that's being advertised is a dystopia just like the ones we've had in media. Not to mention all the practical problems of like needing to virtually walk to the virtual store to buy shit, no way in hell is that catching on.

KairuByte ,
@KairuByte@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Battery is weight. Putting that weight off the head and into a back pocket is imho a very acceptable solution to the weight problem.

And for the record, VR is already “a thing”. Has been for years now. It’s mainstream, it’s on multiple platforms, and even has standalone offerings.

“Chunky pair of glasses” already exists as a VR device, but they are highly personalized and prohibitively expensive.

As for “it’s basically a smartphone strapped to your face” I’m not sure how you’d break away from that? A smartphone is just an ultra compact PC with a screen. A VR device like you’re talking about is… just an ultra compact PC with 2 screens and some lenses. The reason they are so similar in your mind is because they are essentially the same thing, just in a different form factor.

Semi-Hemi-Demigod ,
@Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social avatar

Battery is weight. Putting that weight off the head and into a back pocket is imho a very acceptable solution to the weight problem.

The screen is also a huge part of the weight issue, because it is literally a smartphone strapped to your head, plus some extra bits so your eyes can focus. It's heavy, and it's located on the front of your head. There's big foam bits touching your face all over. I could definitely not wear this for as long as I'm usually working at my desktop.

Yes, putting the battery somewhere else is a good solution, one I've used with my Quest a bunch of times. But if I need to be plugged into a wall to do long stints with a smartphone strapped to my face, what's the advantage of that over a normal screen?

Then again, I'm a boring old man who just wants more space for text editors and terminal windows. Maybe you kids have found something fun to do with VR.

And for the record, VR is already “a thing”. Has been for years now. It’s mainstream, it’s on multiple platforms, and even has standalone offerings.

VR is a "thing," yes. It is a thing gathering dust on my shelf. It's fun like Wii Sports is fun, but without the audience. It's a neat experience but the only truly useful thing I've found to do with it is to walk around the streets of a city I'm going to visit so I can orient myself. But that's hardly something I'd spend $3,500 to do.

Hopefully Apple will find a "killer app" for VR. If I could use this thing to quickly and easily sketch out a remodeling project, I'd love it. But I haven't found anything on my Quest that can do that, but Apple knows a thing or two about killer apps. Or they did, anyway.

“Chunky pair of glasses” already exists as a VR device, but they are highly personalized and prohibitively expensive.

All the ones I've seen look like really ridiculously oversized ski goggles. Please link to something like this and I may change my mind.

As for “it’s basically a smartphone strapped to your face” I’m not sure how you’d break away from that?

Have a super miniature, high-intensity display somewhere near the front of the glasses and use mirrors to reflect it into the user's eye. It would involve incredibly complex eye tracking algorithms to prevent nausea, and that's going to cost in computing power and energy.

Or use lasers projected onto the lenses at some kind of polarization, which might do a better job of overlaying on bright backgrounds, but suffer the same eye tracking limitation.

Don't get me wrong, I really want VR. But I want to be in VR for hours at a time, not minutes. And that's about as long as I can stand to have a cell phone strapped to my face.

Plopp ,

This comment is like bitchig and moaning about cars, saying they're useless because they can't teleport you.

Semi-Hemi-Demigod ,
@Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social avatar

If VR had some kind of application beyond games the form factor would be less of a problem. But if cars were cumbersome and expensive and only drove to casinos they wouldn't be useful either.

Plopp ,

If VR had some kind of application beyond games...

See, you failed right there. I'll let you ponder the following fact. Most companies that hire VR devs right now are not in the gaming business.

lepinkainen ,

Game consoles have no applications beyond games and they are expensive. People still buy them.

KairuByte ,
@KairuByte@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

The screen is only a real factor as weight when the devices are trying to cut costs. The Quest for example, isn’t marketed as a high end product, and even the Quest Pro is cutting corners. One of those corners is the screen.

Take a look at Bigscreen Beyond. They are about the size of swim goggles with the middle filled in. But as I said, they are highly personalized. You likely can’t share them, even with someone who has a similar face shape and eye position. Though they are PCVR and tethered, but as a first iteration by the company it’s pretty decent. They do have a price tag of $1k though.

And I find it odd that you can’t stand VR for more than minutes at a time. I was an early adopter, and while the Oculus DKs were harsh, the CV1 was comfortable enough for me to play for hours on end. The Rift S is still my go to. Though I’m likely going to be snagging a Beyond when I have the cash to spare.

Semi-Hemi-Demigod ,
@Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social avatar

And I find it odd that you can’t stand VR for more than minutes at a time.

I sweat a lot more than most people and the face mask gets uncomfortably slippery. Plus I don't like being disconnected from the rest of the world for that long.

fishos ,
@fishos@lemmy.world avatar

So really, this isn't a "VR is bad" but a "I hate his thing and you should too" rant, huh?

Semi-Hemi-Demigod ,
@Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social avatar

No, more of a “VR would be great but the tech isn’t ready for prime time.”

sverit ,

True, but having a cable attached to a headset feels pretty un-free.

lepinkainen ,

Would a big battery attached to the back of the headset be more free?

Attaching the same battery to your belt is only an issue if you're playing nude. Even then you can wear it like a crossbody bag in a pinch =)

ABCDE ,

Eh? The Quest has the battery built-in to the headset and lasts for hours. They could increase the battery side on that because it's pretty light as it is. Why would a battery explode because of density?

AnonTwo ,

I mean, VR is a thing still. It's just still niche at the moment. I don't think it has to be the main way to enjoy entertainment.

That said, I'm pretty sure the glasses you want are AR, not VR (Augmented reality)

MudMan ,
@MudMan@kbin.social avatar

Honestly, we talk about this thing way too much for how irrelevant it is (or should be, anyway).

It's a ridiculously high end HMV that fixes none of the key issues and is absurdly overpriced. I don't understand why we're entertaining the issue at all.

I mean, I understand it, it's Apple and people somehow suspend reason when it comes to them, but... well, we shouldn't. And that's all the time and thought I'm willing to spend on this dumb thing.

Kbobabob ,

I am starting to see more like this one. Big screen beyond

MeatsOfRage ,

Of course you can't see it, if it's in their back pocket they're going to be sitting on it. Is the photographer supposed to get up their ass to get the battery pack in frame. If you uncropped the photo you would just see more of their bodies and that's completely unnecessary for something you wear on your face. Don't get me wrong I think everything about the Vision Pro is nonsense but this article is some clickbatey horse-shit.

MeepMorp ,

They showed and talked about it in the keynote too. It's not like this is some last minute surprise.

I can't do timestamped links on mobile, but it's at 6:27: https://youtu.be/TX9qSaGXFyg

veeesix ,
@veeesix@lemmy.ca avatar

Show the cable, don’t show the cable; no matter the outcome people are out for blood when Apple is involved.

yesdogishere ,

long past time for the shit company that is apple to die. just manufacture cheap workable alternatives.

phoneymouse ,

Don’t buy it… go use your spyware infested Google or Microsoft devices instead.

520 ,

Lol like Apple's devices don't have their own spyware?

lepinkainen ,

Cheap like the $2k Samsung Galaxy Fold?

GigglyBobble ,

Samsung is crap too. They just saw there are enough idiots paying horrendous prices and matched Apple's. I'd never pay even 1k for a phone.

GigglyBobble ,

Show the cable, don’t show the cable; no matter the outcome people will defend the design decisions when Apple is involved.

femboy_bird ,
@femboy_bird@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

apple trying to be honest challenge (impossible)

SnotFlickerman ,
@SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

apple Corporations trying to be honest challenge (impossible)

Fixed that for you. I mean, that's literally all advertising is: rebranded corporate propaganda. Just because it's called an "advertisement" doesn't make it not "propaganda."

corsicanguppy ,

literally

Seems sus.

loobkoob ,

I don't think all adverts are propaganda. For instance, someone in my village has a sign outside their house that says "EGGS FOR SALE" - that is 100% an advert, but I'm not sure you could convince me it's propaganda.

I agree that there's a lot of overlap between advertising and corporate propaganda, but they're definitely different things.

tsonfeir ,
@tsonfeir@lemm.ee avatar

Well, if they had a 10 foot egg in their yard I’d be skeptical. ;)

thefactremains ,

When they get down to a single egg and don't take down the sign, it becomes propaganda.

webghost0101 ,

A small local may do that but it is indeed an important detail.

otter ,
@otter@lemmy.ca avatar

Still, we have guidelines on false advertising for a reason. Some companies "advertise" their products in a more truthful and good faith way, and others don't. There's value in calling specific incidents out

This isn't to bash Apple or defend one of its competitors, I just think it's unproductive when we have this set of comments:

  • "x did something bad"
  • "yea well they all do it"
SnotFlickerman ,
@SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

Dude we're in a class war and our class is losing. Can you name a single major corporation who has the future of working class genuinely in mind? We literally just went through "inflation" half of which was just a corporate money grab.

Know your enemy.

otter ,
@otter@lemmy.ca avatar

My point is that we should be specific about problems, or else they get ignored

I find that saying "oh well, they all do it" is indirectly defending the company that did something wrong

SnotFlickerman ,
@SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

If you read it that way, that's on you for deciding it must mean that excuses the behavior. Pointing out that it is everywhere isn't the same as saying that means it's okay or we shouldn't be upset about it.

A lot of fluff about how it isn't propaganda sounds a lot more defensive of these people than I am being, so whatever.

Literally you're the one actually defending the behavior here, so I really don't understand what you're angling for.

lepinkainen ,

Please show me a honest ad. I'll wait.

Maybe it's the Samsung moon shot that'll fill a complete perfectly in focus moon even if you take a picture of a blurry picture of the moon?

Or the Nokia "actually shot with phone" ads that were shot with professional cameras.

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