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Vision Pro: 👍 or 👎 ?!?

Vision Pro: 👍 or 👎 ?!?

Apple's headset faces the ultimate test.

Lewis Wallace
February 17, 2024

With the 14-day return window closing for many Vision Pro owners, it’s time to answer the big question: Is Apple’s eye-dazzling headset worth its eye-watering $3,499 price?

Maybe you heard how lots of high-profile early adopters plan to return Vision Pro. Perhaps you even cast your own opinion in one of Cult of Mac’s (unapologetically unscientific) polls on the topic. (The results were pretty shocking.)

Now our how-to writer D. Griffin “Ghost Eyes” Jones is grappling with the ultimate test for any Vision Pro owner. Should it stay or should it go?

Also in this edition of The Weekender:

iPhone 16 might come with a beefier Neural Engine to tackle all those AI-powered features on Apple’s product roadmap. That sounds completely legit. The latest iPhone 16 Pro rumor, on the other hand, looks so wild that it’s hard to believe.
If you’re one of those early Vision Pro adopters, you probably want to know how to share what’s going on inside the headset. This proves especially helpful if you want to show a Vision Pro virgin the ropes.
Need to upgrade your printouts? Here’s our guide to the best laser printers for Mac.
Several of the sweet deals on Apple gear that we spotted earlier this week already evaporated, but you can still save on Mac mini (latest model, with M2 chip) and AirPods Pro (second-gen with USB-C case).
If you didn’t already dive into Masters of the Air, the new World War II drama from Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, we’ve got three reasons you should stream it on Apple TV+.

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

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Vision Pro’s ultimate test

Why I don’t want to return my Vision Pro

The two-week return window for my Vision Pro is fast approaching, so I have to make my keep it/toss it decision in a matter of days. And I desperately want to keep it.

Plus, more on Vision Pro returns:

How-tos

How to let other people see what you see in Vision Pro

It’s possible to share your screen in your Vision Pro so that other people can see what you’re seeing on an Apple TV, iPad, Mac or iPhone. Here’s how.

Customize Control Center on Vision Pro to be more useful and less irritating

The first few days after I got my Vision Pro, I found Control Center to be intensely irritating. With these few changes, you can make Control Center more useful and way less annoying.

How to fix eye- and hand-tracking on Vision Pro

Do this if your headset stops tracking your gaze and hand gestures accurately. It’s fast and easy!

How to charge the battery on your Vision Pro

If you get a Vision Pro, you’ll soon need to learn how to charge up that battery. If you want your spatial computing to be untethered, you’ll need to charge it up often.

How to update Vision Pro software (and try visionOS betas if you dare)

Installing Vision Pro updates is very similar to the process on an iPhone, iPad or Mac. Here’s how to get visionOS updates, including betas.

News

Typing on Vision Pro: A scientific test with surprising results

A universal line of criticism against the Vision Pro is typing using the virtual floating-in-the-air keyboard. To quantify exactly how bad the Vision Pro keyboard is, I took a bunch of different typing tests across a bunch of different keyboards. And the results I found were incredibly surprising.

Why you shouldn't care that Apple began phasing out web apps

Steve Jobs loved web apps, but Apple has started ending support for them. Here's why -- and why it doesn't matter.

Kiss productivity goodbye: TikTok just launched a Vision Pro app

The short video service that's become a global phenomena can now be enjoyed on Apple's AR headset, thanks to the new TikTok Vision Pro app.

Plus, more software news:

What it's really like to cook with Apple Vision Pro

Placing timers around your kitchen is an incredible convenience when cooking with Vision Pro. But the downsides will sneak up on you.

Woah! Is this the new iPhone 16 Pro camera?

Mockups based on the latest iPhone 16 Pro camera rumor show a radically redesigned lens module that looks like a fidget spinner.

Plus, more Apple rumors and AI news:

Mark Zuckerberg says Quest 3 is better than Vision Pro

Mark Zuckerberg says Meta's $499 Quest 3 is a better AR headset than Apple's $3,499 Vision Pro in almost every way.

Deals

Transmit any audio to AirPods for less than $40

Want to use your AirPods on a plane and perform other wireless feats? You need a Bluetooth transmitter and receiver like the Mymanu Link.

Plus, more hardware from Cult of Mac Deals:

Rip DVDs with this lightning-fast Mac app

With a license to MacX DVD Ripper Pro, you can convert DVDs to popular file formats like MPEG4, MP4 and MOV, and salvage damaged discs.

Get Speidel's soft silicone Scrub Band for Apple Watch for just $6

Speidel makes these colorful, inexpensive silicone Apple Watch bands specifically for medical workers, but anyone can enjoy the sweet price.

M2 Mac mini gets sweet $100 off

While Apple's cheapest Mac is already a great buy at its normal price, this M2 Mac mini deal makes it even more affordable.

Plus: AirPods Pro 2 price drops within $1 of Black Friday low [Still live!]

This ChatGPT training bundle reveals how to use AI the right way

Get lifetime access to the ChatGPT for Business Mastery Bundle. It offers seven ChatGPT courses to help you tap the potential of AI.

Reviews and recommendations

Find the best laser printer for your Mac

Printers can make you pull your hair out, so it helps to pick the best laser printer for Mac from the start.

3 reasons to watch ‘Masters of the Air,’ the bloody WWII aerial ballet on Apple TV+

Sometimes "Masters of the Air" seems like a B-17 crash-landing short of the runway. Will it blow up? Maybe. Is it worth watching? Hell yes.

Mechanical Mac keyboard packs useful features into small package [Review] ★★★★½

The Satechi SM1 Slim Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard has a 75% layout but isn't short on features for Mac or Windows users.

Bullet-dodging game ‘Void-X’ is a total blast on Vision Pro [Awesome Apps]

I’ve had a lot of fun playing "Void-X," a modern arcade shooter game. If you’ve ever emptied a whole pocket full of quarters into "Galaga" or "Zaxxon," you’ll love playing it, too -- especially in Vision Pro.

Take AirTag for a ride and track your bike with these Laut mounts

These brilliant AirTag bike mounts from Laut are well-designed and wonderfully affordable. Never lose your bike again.

Setups

Audio engineer touts Apple's 'most stylish computer' ever

Going by users' raves about the discontinued iMac Pro, the all-in-one could be a good buy on the used market.

These French studio-monitor speakers never surrender

You might think of the U.K., Denmark or Japan as the land of great audio, but Focal speakers from France might just compete.

Syncing audio and brightness with dual Studio Displays

This Mac Studio setup offers tips for managing synced dual Studio Displays displays for audio as well as brightness levels.