Exploring the Future of Apple Vision Pro for Business Applications
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Apple Vision Pro
The Apple Vision Pro appears to hold significant potential for our products down the line. However, like many others, I have yet to experience it firsthand or explore the developer kit.
Welcome to the age of spatial computing, where Apple Vision Pro integrates digital experiences with our physical environment. Users can navigate using their eyes, hands, and voice, enabling them to engage in activities in ways previously unimaginable. The marketing buzz from Apple, combined with impressive videos from WWDC, has sparked widespread speculation about whether Vision Pro will be the next technological breakthrough, even before anyone has laid eyes on the device.
As an entrepreneur in the B2B SaaS sector and a collaborator with Apple, I frequently receive inquiries about the compatibility of our product with Vision Pro. Before addressing this question, let me provide a brief overview of our industry and offerings.
We operate in the often-overlooked yet essential field of electronic documentation. You might think this isn't thrilling, but consider the implications for professionals like firefighters who need immediate access to critical information while on the job. In essence, electronic documentation can be quite exhilarating, especially when it aids pilots, entrepreneurs, and emergency responders by ensuring they have the most relevant information at their fingertips.
Currently, we utilize iPads and iPhones as the primary devices for our product. With the potential of Vision Pro, I see an exciting future, though, like many, I have not yet had direct experience with it or seen the developer tools. Nevertheless, I would like to outline my perspective on how to bring our product into the Vision Pro ecosystem.
Section 1.1: Industry Compatibility
It's crucial to remember that Apple primarily serves the consumer market. They generate demand by crafting outstanding products that consumers yearn for. Once these products gain popularity, Apple then encourages businesses to adopt them. I recall intense debates from my airline days in the early 2010s. Crews returning from the U.S. showcased their new iPads before they were launched in Europe, and just three years later, they sought to use these devices as their Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs), even though EFBs were predominantly Windows-based at that time. Fast forward ten years, and finding an airline still relying on Windows devices as EFBs is increasingly rare.
It's vital to apply this lesson when considering Vision Pro. I anticipate it will take time before we see it in aviation. A gradual approach is essential, so I would focus on industries such as manufacturing first. The ability to access work instructions and processes based on factors like location and equipment status could significantly enhance adherence to processes, aligning with ISO 9001 principles. Transitioning from iPhones and iPads to a hands-free device with spatial context could make a substantial difference.
Subsection 1.1.1: Adapting Application Features
Reflecting on the early days of the iPad, many applications were not optimized for the larger screen, leading to a subpar experience. It took several years for Apple to introduce iPadOS, which utilized features like split view that were impractical for iPhone users.
For Vision Pro, developers must adapt their applications from the outset. Porting an iPad app without modification will not work effectively, given the differing control mechanisms. This challenge explains why iPad apps did not gain traction on Macs—touch-focused apps do not translate well to mouse-and-keyboard interfaces.
Returning to our electronic documentation solution, we must consider what adaptations for Vision Pro might entail. Navigation will be primarily through eye movement, hand gestures, and voice commands. Implementing voice-activated search functions and utilizing hand gestures for filtering information will be essential. Eye-tracking could provide insights into user engagement with specific content.
As the software development kit becomes available, numerous other adaptations will be necessary.
Section 1.2: Reimagining Information Presentation
The most significant challenge lies in how we present information. Just as a PDF layout on an iPad does not represent a true digital document, a straightforward digital document on an iPad will not meet user expectations on Vision Pro.
Apple Vision Pro integrates digital content within the user's physical space. For us, this means moving beyond traditional document formats to present relevant information in a modular format. While we currently employ a modular information architecture, many of our clients still operate within a document-centric framework.
Finally, we will need to refine the metadata associated with our information modules. Currently, we use tags for filtering; on Vision Pro, we must expand this to include information based on factors like location, gaze direction, and machine status.
Conclusion: A Gradual Transition
There is much to accomplish to adapt our app for Vision Pro. However, widespread availability of the device is a prerequisite. While developing an app for Vision Pro may become crucial down the road, it is not an immediate priority.
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In this video, "Using Apple Vision Pro: What It's Actually Like!", viewers can get a firsthand look at the features and functionalities of the device, providing insights into its potential applications.
In "I Tried The Apple Vision Pro - Here's What I REALLY Think!", the creator shares an honest review of their experience using the device, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses.