Apple's Augmented Adventure: Unpacking the AppleVision Pro and the Future of the VR/AR Market

Circling back to the crux of today’s news - Apple's grand foray into the realm of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) with their freshly launched AppleVision Pro.

The unveiling of this device hasn't quite rocked the boat as we'd expect from Apple's usual high-impact launches. They’ve tossed their hat in the VR/AR ring alright, but the applause seemed a bit lukewarm, more polite clapping than thunderous ovation.

Not that the AppleVision Pro doesn't hold its own. It does, indeed, seem like an intriguing piece of tech. The issue here, my friends, is that we've seen much of it before. It brings to mind a familiar face in the game – Facebook's Oculus. I reckon Apple's headset feels like Oculus' long-lost cousin who came to town trying to best its kin.

But hold your horses, I’m not suggesting that Apple's just playing catch up here. The AppleVision Pro’s pass-through visuals are a standout feature – these babies are impressive. The manner in which the headset renders the real-world view in VR, with a crisp and clean quality, is downright exciting. And, let's not overlook how it syncs with Apple's existing suite of apps and APIs – that's the kind of cohesion we've come to expect from Apple, and they've delivered.

Now, moving on to the quirkier side of things. AppleVision Pro has this feature that’s part tech marvel, part sci-fi, and if I may add, a bit creepy. Picture this: you pop on the pink-hued goggles, it whirs into action, scanning your face and poof – out comes a virtual selfie, a digital doppelgänger if you will. This virtual avatar can then be manipulated in the VR space – think emojis, animations, and more. It’s fun, it’s playful, it’s ‘Apple-esque’, but it does have a touch of the uncanny valley to it.

But, hey, no one's complaining about a bit of experimentation. In fact, I had a hoot playing around with this feature using generative AI in Photoshop (Beta). The possibilities here are intriguing, to say the least.

Now, let's talk about the big picture – the VR/AR market. This is a domain that's been seeing a steady upward climb, with tech giants like Facebook, Google, and now Apple, stepping in with their respective offerings. The potential applications are vast, spanning gaming, entertainment, healthcare, education, training, and more.

Apple's entry into this space is significant. Even though their first offering might not be groundbreaking, they have a knack for refining technology, making it more user-friendly and desirable. And given their vast ecosystem of devices and apps, they can potentially leverage synergies to create a more integrated VR/AR experience.

However, this industry is not without its challenges. There are still hurdles related to user comfort, motion sickness, and hardware costs. The issue of privacy, especially with devices like the AppleVision Pro that can scan your face, is another point of contention.

The path ahead is thrilling, filled with challenges and opportunities. The question is, how will Apple and other players navigate this landscape? Will they pave the way for a VR/AR revolution or will these devices remain as niche products for tech enthusiasts? Only time will tell. For now, I’m just excited to see where this journey takes us.

the product tho is $3400 and not out until next year.

So apple stocks are tanking :(