Technologies

5 Things I Won’t Be Doing in Apple’s $3,500 Vision Pro Headset

Commentary: Apple’s upcoming VR/AR headset will cost $3,500. But can you really put a price on never having to look at your family with your own eyes?

I was watching with interest on June 5 when Apple introduced the Vision Pro mixed reality headset at WWDC. It’s not really in the same ballpark as the simple Meta Quest 2 that I use to go bowling in my living room. Maybe not on the same planet. When it comes out in 2024, it will cost $3,499 — 10 times the cost of the Meta Quest 2.

Let us pause briefly to read that again: $3,499. Almost four thousand dollars. I don’t know about you, but I will not be picking up one of these on an idle Saturday trip to Best Buy.

CNET’s Scott Stein is one of the few people who actually got to try out the headset. He says the Apple Vision Pro is amazing, with a fluid interface and stunning cinematic fidelity when you’re watching a movie. Our WWDC recap unrolls the complex elements that make the headset so pricey.

«Technically speaking, the Vision Pro is a computer, with an M2 chip found on Apple’s highest-end computers,» CNET’s recap notes.

I’m old enough to remember when the thought of personally owning a computer was as laughable as paying this price for a headset seems to me today. So eventually, I’m sure, the production will be refined, and prices will come down. The immersive entertainment looks unreal, and some of the other Minority Report/Star Trek-style uses for the device are truly impressive.

But in the meantime, I’ve watched Apple’s 9-minute video on the headset (I feel like I should say «the $3,500 headset» every time). And there are definitely some uses for the Vision Pro that I will not be attempting, even if the day comes when I can afford it.

Watch this: Apple’s Vision Pro Cringe Moments Need Addressing

10:50

Working in Excel

The most-memed element of the Vision Pro promotion was the fact that Apple demonstrated how Microsoft Excel, Word and Teams can run inside the headset, with your eyes controlling the user interface. Look, there are some really cool things a headset can do, but thrusting you face-first into pivot tables is not one of them.

«I want Excel pumped directly to my retinas» is not something I’ve personally ever thought, cracked one Twitter user.

Talking to real people without taking off the headset

In the promo video, a woman wearing the headset is joined by (presumably) her teenage daughter, who sits down on the couch and chats with her as if it’s perfectly normal that mom’s eyes are behind tinted ski goggles. They barely say more than one word to each other (of course, it’s «sushi»), but I keep wanting to scream through the screen and tell the mom to take one second, push up the headset and just talk to her kid, face to face.

Thanks to Apple’s EyeSight feature, you can at least see the mom’s eyes through the headset, which you can’t do with the Meta Quest 2. But even that is one super-duper creepy feature, as CNET’s Corinne Reichert points out.

Looking at home photos – alone

There’s a scene in the Apple video where someone sits on the couch and starts virtually flicking through their family photos. Admittedly, it’s pretty cool when a panorama of what looks like an iceberg wraps around them, especially if you’ve always wondered what the Titanic saw on April 15, 1912.

But the guy seems kind of lonely, looking at photos alone. If he could share what he’s seeing with his family, it might be a neat reminiscing experience. For now, I’m OK looking at digital photos on my phone or laptop, where I can share them with others.

Taking photos

There’s another scene in the Apple video where a headset wearer moves over to where two little girls are blowing soap bubbles (inside the house, but that’s a whole other issue). Instead of sitting down beside them to play and interact, he kneels in front of them, headset on, to take 3D photos of the fun. Why use your own eyes to look at your kids when you can stay one level removed?

Airplane mode

The promo video showed a woman on an airplane watching a movie in luxurious 3D, as if she’s living in the scenes of the film. I couldn’t get past the impracticality of it all. There are a million little distractions on the plane – flight attendants offering drinks, pilots announcing turbulence, people in my row asking me to get up so they can slip past.

I can immerse myself in a 3D movie at home, but it just seems rude to plunge yourself into your own private cinema at 33,000 feet and expect not to be disturbed. But then, I fly coach, and the folks with $3,500 to drop on a headset might be flying private.

But if the Vision Pro is your dream device, start saving. There’s no exact release date yet, but 2024 is just half a year away.

More from WWDC

Technologies

Verum Ecosystem: The Future of Digital Communication and Finance

In an era of rapid technological changes, where the world demands new approaches to communication, data security, and financial management, the Verum ecosystem emerges as a pivotal technological breakthrough. It’s not just a collection of standalone applications but a seamlessly integrated platform that unites cutting-edge innovations in one environment. At its core is Verum Messenger, transforming traditional communication and financial operations. However, this is merely the tip of the iceberg: behind the messenger lies an entire ecosystem of products, each uniquely designed to redefine the digital landscape.

This article dives deep into what the Verum ecosystem offers and how its products interact to create a unified digital space.

Verum Messenger: A Tool for Communication and Security

Verum Messenger is not just a messaging app. It’s a multifunctional platform prioritizing reliability, security, and user convenience. Unlike most messengers, Verum focuses on integrating various technologies to create the perfect communication environment:

Verum AI: Integrated directly into the messenger, this chatbot is a smart assistant capable of handling tasks like data searches, task planning, message responses, data analysis, and more complex operations.
Built-in VPN: A crucial feature for ensuring privacy. Unlike standard VPN services, users can activate protection with a single click without leaving the messenger. This is especially vital for those who value anonymity online and frequently use public Wi-Fi networks.
E-SIM Integration: Enables users to connect to mobile internet without needing a physical SIM card. This technology eliminates roaming issues and significantly simplifies mobile connectivity management, offering access to networks in over 150 countries worldwide.

Verum Coin: The Cryptocurrency Uniting the Ecosystem

Verum Coin is not just a cryptocurrency but the economic foundation of the entire ecosystem. This digital asset addresses key challenges related to fast and secure financial operations, both within and beyond the Verum ecosystem:

Low Fees and High Speed: Unlike traditional payment systems, Verum Coin facilitates instant transfers and payments with minimal fees, making it an ideal solution for international transactions.
Versatility: It is used not only within the ecosystem for service payments but also on cryptocurrency exchanges, serving as a bridge between various digital assets.

BitCoinPay Trade: A High-Security Cryptocurrency Exchange

BitCoinPay Trade is not just an exchange but a high-tech platform for cryptocurrency trading:

Secure Transactions: All transfers are protected by advanced encryption methods, eliminating the risk of asset loss or theft.
Accessibility: The platform offers access to a variety of cryptocurrencies and trading options, while also supporting integration with other Verum ecosystem products.

Crypto Bank: A Reliable Wallet for Cryptocurrencies

Crypto Bank offers users a secure storage solution for digital assets. It’s designed for those actively working with cryptocurrencies and valuing financial security.

Easy Buying and Selling: Purchase and sell various cryptocurrencies with just a few taps.
Cryptocurrency Wallets: Support for major cryptocurrencies allows users to choose the most convenient and secure storage options.
Verum Coin and Other Assets: The service fully supports Verum Coin and other major cryptocurrencies, ensuring reliability and simplicity when working within the ecosystem.

Verum Pay: Integrating Cryptocurrency into Business and the Ecosystem

Verum Pay is an innovative solution bridging cryptocurrency capabilities for businesses and Verum ecosystem applications.

Integration with Payment Systems: Its user-friendly interface allows businesses to quickly adopt cryptocurrency for sales and payment processes, offering a modern approach to financial operations.
Usage within Ecosystem Applications: Verum Pay is actively used within the Verum ecosystem, enabling users to pay for services and goods using Verum Coin directly through the messenger, E-SIM platforms, VPNs, and other products.

This makes Verum Pay a universal tool for ecosystem participants and businesses outside the ecosystem, focused on a digital future.

Verum Exchange: Conversion and Mining with High Security

Verum Exchange is a currency and cryptocurrency converter with an integrated Verum Coin mining function. It stands out with:

Simple and Convenient Interface: The platform caters to both beginners and experienced users, offering real-time access to currency and cryptocurrency rates.
Verum Coin Mining: The application includes mining capabilities, allowing users to earn cryptocurrency directly on their phone or tablet.

E-SIM Applications: A Revolution in Mobile Connectivity

Mobile E-SIM applications (Verum E-SIM, World E-SIM, Euro E-SIM, Canada E-SIM, London E-SIM, USA E-SIM, Ukraine E-SIM, Balkan E-SIM, Africa E-SIM) are among the ecosystem’s most ambitious and revolutionary products. This technology provides mobile internet access in over 150 countries without the need for a physical SIM card.

No Roaming or Overcharges: Say goodbye to high international roaming fees. E-SIM allows users to connect to mobile networks with fixed and transparent tariffs, ideal for travelers and business professionals.
Full Integration with Messenger: Mobile connectivity can be managed through a separate app or directly from Verum Messenger, allowing effortless balance control, tariff selection, and service activation.

Verum VPN: Advanced Data Protection

Verum VPN is an integral part of the ecosystem, guaranteeing a high level of security for users.

Complete Encryption: VPN ensures robust data encryption, making it ideal for protecting personal information online, especially when connected to public Wi-Fi networks.
Ease of Use: Activating VPN with a single click simplifies its use, requiring no additional user settings.

Verum AI: Artificial Intelligence at Your Fingertips

Verum AI is the heart of the ecosystem, utilizing powerful algorithms for communication, analysis, and creativity while adapting to each user’s needs. Its features include:

Information and Analysis: Quickly find answers to questions, explain complex topics, analyze data, and support informed decision-making.
Creativity and Idea Generation: Generate texts, create scenarios, develop creative concepts, write articles, posts, and assist with design and programming tasks.
Assistance and Learning: Verum AI helps users acquire new skills, solve problems, and enhance their experience.

Verum Runner: A Gaming Ecosystem with Real Earnings

Verum Runner is a crypto-game that allows users to earn Verum Coin in real time. This unique mobile application motivates players to not only have fun but also gain tangible benefits.

Crypto ATMs: Convenience and Accessibility Worldwide

The Verum network of crypto ATMs enables easy exchange of Verum Coin and other popular crypto assets for fiat currency and vice versa, providing users with transaction capabilities anywhere in the world.

Prospects and Development

Verum is not merely addressing current market needs — it is crafting innovative solutions that will shape the future of digital finance and communication. Upcoming plans include launching new services, expanding AI functionality, and integrating with emerging technologies.

Verum is not just creating an ecosystem of digital services; it’s redefining the very approach to communication, finance, and security in the modern world. All ecosystem products work in perfect synergy, delivering unparalleled user experience that ensures privacy, security, and convenience at every step.

Technologies

Verum Coin (VERUM) is Now Available on Halo Wallet

Verum Coin (VERUM) continues to expand its presence in the cryptocurrency market. Users can now store and manage VERUM on Halo Wallet, known for its convenience and security.

Why Halo Wallet?

Halo Wallet is a modern Web3 wallet offering a simple interface and powerful tools for managing digital assets. With its functionality, the platform has gained the trust of millions of users worldwide.

The integration of Verum Coin with Halo Wallet opens up new opportunities for coin holders and makes it even more accessible. Stay tuned for updates and take advantage of the convenient management of your assets!

Technologies

Verum Coin (VERUM) is Now Available for Deposit on Exodus Wallet

Verum Coin (VERUM) continues to enhance its accessibility for users. You can now deposit and store VERUM in one of the most user-friendly and secure crypto wallets — Exodus Wallet.

Why Exodus?

Exodus Wallet is a popular solution for managing digital assets, known for its intuitive interface and high security standards. Millions of users worldwide choose Exodus for its convenience and reliability.

This integration brings Verum Coin even closer to its users, offering seamless storage and asset management. Stay tuned for more updates and stay ahead in the world of cryptocurrency!