582: Can't Render, Fog It

Immersive Play

Casey Liss shares his immersive experience with the Vision Pro, highlighting its ability to create a shared virtual space. He describes playing a game of Battleship with a friend across the ocean, where the virtual environment made it feel as if they were physically together 1. John Siracusa adds that the Vision Pro's spatial persona feature enhances this experience by allowing users to perceive each other's movements in real-time, creating a sense of presence that surpasses traditional video calls 2.

It's such a silly thing to play battleship with somebody, but he is across a freaking ocean, and it feels like we're there together playing battleship. It was unreal.

--- Casey Liss

This technology, while still in its early stages, shows promise in transforming how we interact in virtual spaces 3.

   

Content Needs

Marco Arment discusses the potential for the Vision Pro to revolutionize content consumption, emphasizing the need for compelling content to drive adoption. He argues that while the technology offers impressive experiences, like playing games in 3D, it requires a robust content ecosystem to become a staple in users' lives 4. John Siracusa suggests that Apple should invest in exclusive 3D content to showcase the device's capabilities, as this would differentiate it from other platforms 5.

It's the easiest sale is you can see 3d video like you've never seen it before. And how about you make some of that, Apple?

--- John Siracusa

The challenge lies in creating a sustainable ecosystem that encourages regular use and attracts a broader audience 6.

   

Technical Hurdles

John Siracusa explains the technical limitations of the Vision Pro, particularly its spatial personas, which only render the front and sides of a user's avatar. This approach, while creating a realistic front-facing experience, leaves the back of the avatar blurred, reminiscent of older gaming graphics where unrendered areas were masked with fog 7. He notes that this limitation is noticeable during collaborative activities where users might view each other from the side 8.

They're like, oh, your head kind of fades into a mist as you go back in your way, and it's fine because mostly you're looking at people from the front.

--- John Siracusa

Despite these challenges, the Vision Pro's ability to create a sense of presence remains a significant achievement 8.