Apple Vision Pro
So many thoughts.
Device
The device looks and probably feels very valuable, expensive and high-quality. I mean it is very expensive, so it should look and feel that way, but Apple devices usually are high-quality and feel like jewelry and that’s one reason people love them.
Usability
After the mouse for the Mac, the finger for the iPhone, the new pointing device is your eye. Using this device must feel like magic.
It was extremely magical to use a finger on an iPhone and just scroll though a long list of songs.
This must the same thing, but even more radical, since nothing is touching the interface. You simply look at it and it is highlighted.
Then you use your fingers to initiate a selection, similar to a tab in the iPhone world.
Use cases
People were mostly using the device alone, which is great. I can’t imagine people using headsets to be in a virtual reality while sitting next to each other. That just sounds and looks ridiculous. However, being alone and using the device seems to me the perfect use case. Watch a movie on a gigantic screen with headphones when the family is sleeping. This is the big difference to the other headsets out there.
The next iPhone?
No. I don’t think so. At least it doesn’t feel like it, right now.
When the iPhone was announced, it fealed extremely special and a decade ahead of all of the competition. Arguably, it was. I wanted it so badly, because I was sick of all the bad phones at that time. I purchased the original iPhone day one in Germany and it was a very special day. A true revolution for the whole phone and smart device industry.
Apple Vision Pro does feel special and also ahead of its competition, but it is doesn’t feel like a revolution.
As a Developer
I think, and I heard this multiple times, that this platform could be bigger for developers than for instance Apple Watch or Apple TV. Only a few Apps work really well on the watch and on the TV, but the majority of Apps on both plaforms are more or less companian Apps of an iPhone app.
That might not be the case for VisionOS. This device is a standalone computer with a giant screen, therefore, more Apps can have their chance to shine.
There will also not be many users in the beginning. The device is fairly pricey and might also be limited in production. Developers might be able to charge much higher prices compared to the iOS and iPadOS App Stores.
WWDC 2023
A little late, but here are my thoughts about WWDC 2023.
MacBook Air 15”
To me, this device could have been released via a Press Release. Basically, it is just a bigger size MacBook Air 13”. That’s it. And that is also what Apple is trying to sell. Apple is not saying anything else. People should know that this device is just as amazing as the smaller Air, but bigger. Nothing more, nothing less.
The reason they might have added it to the Keynote is probably for its upcoming impact. This device will sell, a lot, like a shit ton. Maybe even more than the already outperforming 13” Air.
Mac Studio and Mac Pro
Great updates. The Mac Pro is now such a niche device. To me, it is now obvious that Apple wanted to put a M2 Extrem (two M2 Ultras combined), but couldn’t for some reason. Could be feasibility, could be costs, could yield rate, only Apple knows.
However, now, compared to the Mac Studio, the only reason to buy the Mac Pro is for PCI cards. Makes me think if Apple regrets announcing the Mac Pro early in a previous Keynote. If they wouldn’t have announced it early, they could’ve just said the Mac Studio is the replacement.
On the other hand, Apple doesn’t have to ship if it thinks it’s not worth it. They still could have simply said, we’re killing the Mac Pro, the Mac Studio is the future.
I think, Apple is still bringing a M3 or M4 Extreme and the Mac Pro will be the only device with that chip. They simply released the current Mac Pro to finally kill Intel Macs and be done with the ARM transition.
iOS / iPadOS 17
All OS updates were filled with quality of life improvements. iOS 17 looks really great with improved Messages (FINALLY improved Search) and Phone app. NameDrop is so simple with awesome UX. The naming is just perfect.
StandBy mode is also great and I will use that a lot. Same for Interactive Widgets. Can’t wait to implement some.
I am most excited about the improvements for Autocorrect. For me, my Family and many Friends, Autocorrect is just broken. At least in German. It is simply not working for most of the time. Really really bad. It can only get better now and I hope it will.
WatchOS 10
WatchOS 10 is the real star here.
Finally, Apple is refreshing the System and introducing widgets on the clockface is the right call. I can’t wait to try it out and update my WatchOS apps.
Apple Vision Pro
The presentation was really well made. If you missed it, Apple uploaded the introduction separately, as well. I will share more about the Vision Pro in a later Blog post.
Overall, the keynote was great.
Apples short summary Video about WWDC23 gives a good overview.
Here is my recommended configuration if you are planning to purchase a new MacBook Air 15”
