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Apple’s much anticipated AR/VR headset was released on Monday and everyone lost their minds over two things:
The fact that it costs a whopping $3,500 💸
That it looks and feels like magic. 🪄
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Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, presented the device as “the first product you look through, not at.” 👀
If you have been too busy this week (like Jay, who minted a baby. WOHOOO 🥳), let me explain how Apple’s Vision PRO works.
These are a pair of multi-advanced goggles that bring the digital world to the physical world. 🥽
Essentially, when you wear this device on your head (eyes), you’ll have a bunch of applications and cool immersive experiences pop up around you, in your physical environment.
And tech experts like Marques Brownlee compare the experience of the Vision PRO to magic.
Here’s how it works:
Put the goggles on your head. This will make a bunch of your apps (from your phone or Mac) appear around you. 🥽
Look at any application and put your thumb and index finger together to open the app. 🤯
Basically, you can control your surroundings solely with your hands and eyes. It’s what we’ve all dreamed of as aspiring magicians when we were kids.
I’ll be honest. This device sounds pretty awesome and I can’t wait to get to use it (it’ll be up for grabs in early 2024). ⏳
However, everybody’s acting like this is the first AR/VR device on the market. It’s not. Meta and Google have also developed their versions of this.
But, this is way more advanced and usable than the other products out there.
Particularly, because there’s no need for additional hardware. All you need is YOU, your hands, and your eyes.
So… Is this everything that the metaverse hoped for in order to go mainstream? Or will we use this device to scroll on social media, watch movies and check our investments to see our shitcoins go to 0?
We’ll explore how the device will be used in just a second. However, let’s first talk about AR vs VR because a lot of us don’t know the difference between the two. ⏬
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Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) both alter our perception of the world, but in different ways. AR adds digital elements to a live view, often by using the camera on a smartphone.
Examples of AR include Snapchat lenses and the game Pokemon Go where digital content is layered over real-world elements.
On the other hand, VR implies a complete immersion experience that shuts out the physical world.
Using VR devices such as HTC Vive or Oculus Rift, users can be transported into a number of real-world and imagined environments such as the middle of a squawking penguin colony or even the back of a dragon.
Because the Apple Vision PRO is providing a mix of IRL and digital experiences, it falls under the AR category – and I believe that’s the correct move!
Why?
Well, most of us think of the metaverse as this place where we teleport (VR) and completely detach ourselves from the real world.
But I believe that we’re not even close to being ready for that shift. Therefore, AR is the way to go for now.
The Vision PRO (and other similar AR devices) are for now (and will be for a long time) tools for making you and me more productive.
By putting on these goggles, I can work on 3 or 4 screens from ANYWHERE! A plane, a beach, a coffee shop, it’s all going to feel almost the same as my home office or co-working space.
So, for starters, this will be a high-end product for professionals looking to be more productive.
I can’t see a regular gamer splash thousands of dollars on this device when a very powerful gaming computer costs the same.
Another thing to add is the fact that there aren’t any good apps built on this device yet. The reason Apple announced this so early, is to give developers enough time to come and build enjoyable apps.
Therefore, I don’t expect billions or millions of people owning an Apple AR device for the time being.
But the trend will move in this direction as Apple figures out how to cut production costs and sell this thing for less.
Now, with all of that said… Let’s tackle the main question… (keep scrolling)
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The answer is yes! But the impact won’t be immediate, because of the cost issues and limited functionality mentioned above.
However, Disney already partnered with Apple to create immersive Disney-related experiences.
They plan to create a Disney World that is brought to your own home. Imagine kids being able to interact and play with Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters in their living room.
The possibilities are endless. But again, this will take a long time to come to fruition.
So let’s focus on the more timely things. Can you (or should you) capitalize on any opportunities today?
Well yes! But I think you shouldn’t. Here’s what’s going on:
People are registering a bunch of ENS (.eth handles) with the words apple, vision, and pro, hoping Apple would someday buy the name off of them.
People are looking to invest in metaverse coins, as these are expected to pump.
Now here’s the deal…
ENS domains are supposed to act as your ID online and onchain. They’re not supposed to be used for speculation. So expect to lose all the ETH that you use to mint these random .eth handles.
The threads on Crypto Twitter are saying you should buy Axie, Decentraland, Sandbox and more… But at the same time, the SEC listed a bunch of these tokens as securities this week and now they’re dumping.
The bottomline is: If you ever feel like ‘OMG, this is the new big thing’ just consider that you might be caught up in a hype cycle. 🚨
AR/VR devices have been around for a long time. Just because Apple launched its own device doesn’t mean every metaverse/gaming coin will go up in price.
So stay cautious.
Let’s head into our usual PRO-only advice and let us tell you what the main takeaways are from this entire story… Enjoy ⏬
What’s the key takeaway from all of this, for you, as a builder?
Let’s talk about tech stacks, because if you’re building and owning the deepest layer of the tech stack, you’ll win.
‘Tech stack’ simply refers to the different layers that make up the internet. It’s like when you build a house. You first build the foundation, then the frame, then the plumbing and electricity, then interior design and so on…
But the ‘tech stack’ of the house starts with the foundation, and everything else is built on top.
To further visualize this, think of a stack of pancakes. Everything is built on that 1st pancake, and if you were to remove it, you’d mess up the entire stack. So that 1st layer is vital.
In the tech world, if you succeed to build that foundation, you’re guaranteed to win. Because whatever’s being built upon it, will benefit you (assuming you’re building something that gains adoption).
So next time you're scrolling through your feed on Instagram, just know that you're interacting with a beautifully crafted application built on layers of different technologies.
By releasing the Vision PRO, Apple is essentially building a deep layer (not the deepest) of the tech stack.
From now on, everything that’s being built for this AR headset, including apps and new experiences, will benefit Apple big time.
If you’re a builder, you should strive to build as deep in the tech stack as possible. That’s how you build something that lasts for decades.
If you’re an investor, look to invest in companies and protocols that are deep in the tech stack.
Apple, for example, is always looking to build the foundation. Think about their M1 and M2 chips, the MacOS etc…
These are all technologies that others can build hardware and software and apps upon. But ultimately, it will benefit the stockholders of Apple.
Now… Buying Apple stock today might not be appealing (as it has a ~$3 Trillion market cap) but try to develop the mindset of spotting protocols and projects that are building that foundation.
Hint: $ETH is the deepest layer in the tech stack of crypto. Layer 2s, NFTs, DAOs are all built upon Ethereum. And as that ecosystem blooms, your holdings will flourish too.
That’s it for today, frens, and I hope to see you at our Eyes On Chain Discord Session next Tuesday at 12pm EST.
Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you soon ❤️
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not financial advice. Conduct your own research and consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions or taking any action based on the content.
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