‘Already explored’ — Apple Vision Pro fails to impress Mark Zuckerberg

As Meta struggles to lead the way in virtual and augmented reality, Apple’s recent entry into the market has generated curiosity and apprehension. With the official announcement of its Vision Pro headset, speculations arose about Mark Zuckerberg’s viewpoint as Meta CEO on the competition posed by Apple’s mixed reality headset.

During an all-hands meeting observed by The Verge, Zuckerberg discussed his response to the technical features of the Vision Pro. Expressing his curiosity about Apple’s offering, Zuckerberg acknowledged that he had yet to experience the Vision Pro firsthand. He revealed that Meta’s teams had “already explored” and contemplated the constraints of laws and physics, implying that Apple’s solutions were not entirely groundbreaking.

He mentioned that the headset’s pricing resulted from a deliberate “design trade-off” aimed at emphasizing more expensive technology and demanding increased computational capabilities. Zuckerberg remarked that Apple opted for a higher resolution display, leading to a sevenfold increase in costs and energy consumption, ultimately necessitating a wired connection and battery.

Expanding on his comments, the Meta CEO delved into the divergent philosophical outlooks embraced by Apple and Meta, emphasizing the differences in their values and overarching goals. During this discussion, Zuckerberg naturally explored the concept of the metaverse, which notably did not receive any mention during Apple’s recent Worldwide Developers Conference.

Zuckerberg stated:

“Our vision for the metaverse and presence is fundamentally social. Our device also encourages active engagement and participation. In contrast, every demo they showcased featured an individual sitting alone on a couch.“

He highlighted that Meta Quest is designed to foster virtual communities and encourage interaction, emphasizing its role in promoting engagement. In contrast, Apple’s Vision Pro was characterized as a device primarily intended for solitary use.

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Unlike the Meta Quest and Meta Quest Pro, Apple’s Vision Pro introduces control through eye movements and hand gestures, eliminating the requirement for controllers. It also features a translucent display and a lighter design. However, these advanced technologies contribute to a higher price point, with the Vision Pro starting at $3,500. Meta’s most expensive headset, the Meta Quest Pro, starts at $1,000.

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