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Here come the Vision Pro reviews

Here come the Vision Pro reviews

Apple's headset is magical, revolutionary ... and unfinished.

Leander Kahney
January 30, 2024

It’s expensive, it’s bulky, it’s dystopian and isolating — BUT HOLY FREAKIN’ COW THE VISION PRO IS AMAZEBALLS!!!!!!!!!!

This is basically the reaction to Apple Vision Pro from the first round of reviewers. Yes, they gripe about this or that, but Vision Pro is definitely a revolution, even if it’s one still in progress.

The headset launches to the public Friday, and we’ll be picking one up to review.

In preparation, I’ve been playing around with a Quest 3 headset, Meta’s $500 rival. It’s plasticky and the interface is horrible -- it’s not intuitive at all -- and you have to use dumb hand controllers.

However, media experiences are great. Watching a movie on the Quest 3 is wonderful and weirdly transportive. It puts you in a private movie theater, which is a very immersive experience. The screen is HUGE and the speakers are really good. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Immersive, 360-degree video looks jaw-dropping. But doing work with the Quest 3? Not so great. I could pull up my Mac Studio’s screen, but it was worse than looking at my physical screen. And the Meta headset is limited to a single screen, when I have three physical screens in front of me.

I’m continuing to experiment, though, and I can’t wait to see how Apple Vision Pro compares to the competition.

Also in today’s newsletter:

Without two key features found in rival smartphones, iPhone 16 might struggle as we enter a “new paradigm in high-end mobile phone design.” Or maybe not!
I’ve tried using my Apple watch as a timer at the gym: It’s hopeless — it’s just too hard to see. This freaky-looking timer looks much better, plus it’s great for Pomodoro.
Woot!’s got another big sale on Apple accessories, some up to 83% off.
Today’s the day in Apple history that brought the Newton MessagePad 120, the first Apple PDA to live up to its promise.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Vision Pro review roundup: 'magic' and 'a revolution,' but definitely unfinished

The first reviews of Apple's Vision Pro gush with compliments about the augmented-reality headset. But there's also plenty of criticism and questions.

Can iPhone compete in ‘new paradigm’ of high-end phone design?

An analyst predicts iPhone’s lack of generative AI and a foldable design will cause a decline in shipments. But there are reasons to doubt his opinion.

‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ earns spot as most popular film on streaming

Martin Scorsese’s historical crime drama "Killers of the Flower Moon" has been the most popular movie around since it hit Apple TV+.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

You'll flip for this magnetic digital timer

No matter your task, this combo kitchen timer/productivity timer/fitness timer lets you keep tabs on your … precious time.

Grab one of Laut's stunning iPhone 15 cases while you can

If you bought an iPhone 15 series handset, it's time to consider a supremely stylish and super-protective case from Laut.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

Through Wednesday only: Save up to 83% off Apple accessories

If you need any Apple accessories for iPhone, Apple Watch, Apple TV and more, follow our links to Woot!'s fabulous sale.

Simplify tax season with H&R Block tax software for Mac or PC

Take the stress out of tax prep. Get the H&R Block 2023 Tax Software Deluxe + State and file federal and state tax returns the easy way.

Turn iPad or iPhone into a full-featured laptop with NexDock [Review] ★★★★½

NexDock lets you easily add a 13-inch external screen, keyboard and trackpad to your iPad or iPhone 15 to make them even more useful.

Today in Apple history: Newton MessagePad 120 becomes Apple's first great mobile device

On January 30, 1995, Apple Computer launched the Newton MessagePad 120. The PDA's advanced features laid the foundation for the iPhone.

Tweetz o’ the day

I know as a journalist I am supposed to be skeptical, but after my Apple Vision Pro demo, I am kind of a believer. Like mind = blown. Got literal goosebumps about 30 minutes in. Real test will be how developers show up for the party. Excited to hear your thoughts on Friday!!
— Emily Chang (@emilychangtv)
Jan 29, 2024

Imagine spending $3499 on an Apple Vision Pro only for it to make you look like a video game character from a decade ago in FaceTime calls 😂
— sid (@immasiddtweets)
Jan 30, 2024

Apple Vision Pro EyeSight in reality 👀
via @verge
— Ben Geskin (@BenGeskin)
Jan 30, 2024

You won't find it in Apple's marketing but the Vision Pro is the ultimate cooking computer. Was one of the moments where I could really see the future...
— Joanna Stern (@JoannaStern)
Jan 30, 2024

An anonymous scam caller said, “I have all your passwords.”
I grabbed a pencil and paper and said, “Thank God! What are they?”
— RUTH BUZZI (@Ruth_A_Buzzi)
Jan 28, 2024

One more thing ...

❝

I always understood the beauty of things made by hand. I came to realize that what was really important was the care that was put into it.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

Is Ming-Chi Kuo right? Does Apple need a folding AI phone?

Results from yesterday’s poll: How excited are you about ‘Severance’ season 2?

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