Apple Vision Pro Transforms Reality Overnight, Evoking ‘Black Mirror’ Vibes
The Vision Pro, Apple’s latest venture into the realms of VR and mixed reality, sparked a flurry of dystopian scenes as influencers showcased the premium device in the real world post-launch. Just picture this: YouTubers Isaac Mosna and Patrick Tomasso casually dining while donning the $3,499 goggles; Dante, a user, manipulating the headset in a self-driving Tesla, only to be caught in a parked car with police lights behind; a commuter gesturing at thin air on the subway with the Vision Pro, perplexing fellow travelers; Casey Neistat tentatively climbing stairs, responding to texts in the immersive headset; and a dinner party where guests clinked glasses while viewing each other through pass-through video feeds, orchestrated by YouTuber Victor Abarca.
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While many praised the Vision Pro, hailing it as the “single greatest piece of tech” by Neistat, others couldn’t shake off the eerie Black Mirror vibes. Tomasso, the YouTuber who went viral for dining with the headset, expressed the unease of having a technological buffer between people in his video titled “The Sad Reality of Apple Vision Pro.”
Thankfully, the likelihood of this sci-fi dystopia becoming a reality anytime soon is minimal. The viral content surrounding the Vision Pro is intentionally exaggerated and provocative, created by professionals aiming for reactions.
The response, however, mirrors the lukewarm reception Google Glass received a decade ago, labeling wearers as narcissistic “glassholes.” The Vision Pro, while an impressive engineering feat, remains clunky, socially isolating, and a potential target for opportunistic thieves.
The steep price tag of $3,499, coupled with a $199 optional battery pack for untethered use, puts it out of reach for most people. The Vision Pro’s entry into the realm of “spatial computing” may see a reduction in cost and improved form factor, but until it can be as inconspicuous as regular glasses, the real-life Black Mirror experience is likely confined to living rooms for the foreseeable future.
