Apple Vision Pro’s latest update optimises the device’s persona remote immersive communication feature, further boosting the device’s potential of bringing immersive conferencing features to the productivity-focused device.
Since the Vision Pro’s debut, Apple’s Persona system has faced some ridicule over its uncanny qualities – although despite this reception, the device generally garnered positive feedback for its design, and less so its price.
The new Persona system allows users to place a caller’s digital avatar anywhere in their spatial environment. In the past, the persona display was locked in place and had less visual integration within a real-world environment.
The “Spatial Personas” is ready for various Vision Pro applications under the Shareplay banner, allowing up to five Personas for entertainment and collaboration via services such as FaceTime.
Apple’s Persona system is still in its Beta stage; however, it is working to integrate the service further into its device – showing that the firm sees value in immersive collaboration tools on its emerging MR device.
Apple first noted the Avatar system would upgrade during its Vision Pro 1.1 update.
Set up an Apple Persona
Getting started with the updated Persona system is relatively simple – a user must select the Persona tab to get started.
When booting up the new Persona avatar system, users can customise their digital self by taking a photo of themselves, with records of their facial expressions.
The Vision Pro will then digitise this video/image into a Persona Avatar. Users can edit their persona with additional accessories like glasses for further customisation.
Moreover, during the set-up process, Vision Pro users can customise “EyeSight,” the device’s eye-tracking system, showing what applications a caller uses during a remote collaboration session.
Vision Pro Version 1.1
The updated Persona Beta comes following Apple’s first device update.
In version 1.1, Apple has notably improved performance, application usage, and initiated the latest version of the device’s new persona system.
For enterprises, Apple is improving enrollment for application access; supporting workers undergoing account-driven enrollment.
Workers can use new Vision Pro procedures such as installation, managing Apple IDs, networking, and providing support for services like Exchange and Google Workspace.
The latest update for Vision Pro users also provides more control over 3D asset interaction, allowing for easier manipulation of spatial objects and closer interaction with 3D assets – essential for small office/work-from-home environments and other on-the-go use cases.
The 1.1 update enhances this feature by introducing an updated near-user boundary for volumetric scenes. This update allows users to move the volumetric scenes much closer than in the previous version, enabling easier direct interaction with the volumetric scene content.
Lastly, new SwiftUI frameworks enable a coordinated spatial environment and placement of 360 immersive applications. The 1.1 update for Vision Pro improves application placement and tracking of environmental changes.
More on Vision Pro
The Apple Vision Pro is a high-end XR device equipped with impressive features such as 256GB/512GB/1TB storage, a 23 million pixel display, 90Hz/96Hz/100Hz refresh rate, spatial audio, 2 hours of battery life, Bluetooth, eye tracking, and hand tracking. However, its price point of $3,500 may make it less accessible to some consumers.
The Apple Vision Pro is expected to break this trend, unlike other XR devices that lack system-selling applications. Apple has prepared developers for this device, making more than 1,000 spatial applications available, including many enterprise services ready for frontline workers. Leading workplace applications on the Apple Vision Pro include SynergyXR, JigSpace, Omniplan, Zoom, Microsoft 365, and Teams.
The entry of Apple into the XR device market has made many industry leaders take note, and they express optimism towards the fresh perspective that Apple brings to the space.
At MWC last month, Shen Ye, Global Head of Product at HTC VIVE, explained that Apple “validated everything” HTC VIVE invested in, including the firm’s hardware, platform, and infrastructure.
Ye added, “we’ve seen a lot more interest in this space and even this show (MDC 2024). We’ve had a tonne of people come through and do demos, and it’s been really rewarding to see people actually getting into the VR space because of someone as big as Apple getting into the game.”
Furthermore, one of Apple’s leading competitors in the field of virtual reality, Meta, has taken notice of Apple’s latest product. Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has also acknowledged that different companies make different design decisions for the headsets they create.
However, he believes that the Quest headset is better for most things people use mixed reality for. With the extensive application options available for Apple’s products and the devices being used in new and exciting ways, such as in-flight entertainment, it seems Apple is moving towards mainstreaming XR. However, the success of the hardware is crucial for a positive user experience and adoption.
