What Apple's New Vision Pro Headset Could Mean For Retail Leaders Of The Future

This was like watching the future being unwrapped — Chris Richardson

Apple never used the terms augment or virtual reality. For over thirty minutes, they discussed a product that most people would have initially said was for augmented or virtual reality purposes. Yet, there was not a whisper of those words during the presentation. Instead, Apple introduced us to spacial computing. That is aptly named and, yes, the future of computer-based technology.

The Apple Vision Pro has elements of both augmented and virtual reality. You can see your desktop spaces in your current environment. It allows you to choose what you see in your present physical place. It also allows you to transport yourself to a fully immersive world away from your physical location. If you want to see your desktop and applications while feeling like you are at the beach, on top of the Alps, or just in the woods, you can.

For me, the most prominent call out when they introduced this product was that they never mentioned virtual or even augmented reality. Apple has positioned this as “spatial computing”. It is an accurate, unique, and innovative way of thinking about a product that seems familiar but will be so different. The Vision Pro is more than just a new product with “gee-whiz” technology. It is a brand new way of working and thinking about how technology and your life can blend. There are productivity elements as well as entertainment.

It will be interesting to see how developers and users adapt to this new concept of spatial computing. For developers, it opens an entirely new landscape (literally and figuratively) to create for users. Conversely, it will be a new way of engaging with something we have most recently done with our hands and eyes only.

For anyone over the age of, let's say, thirty, you remember a time when phones and hand-held devices were not with you at all times. Most of what we think of as smartphones didn't become ubiquitous until about 2007 (when the iPhone launched). It is hard to imagine no longer having so much power and information at your fingertips. Now, seeing how we embrace something that can transport spaces and make you feel like you're somewhere else will be fascinating.

Apple appears to be trying to avoid altogether closing off the outside world. How they are incorporating some of the transparency of your space with the headset allows for people around you to be seen (if you choose). You can still hear the surrounding things, and they have even built in a way to make it appear that you are looking through the lenses at other people. (Which still seems weird to think about the idea of a digital representation of your eyes projecting on the outside of the headset.)

The future is yet to be written for this technology's possibilities. For retailers, this can open up entirely new options for customer experiences, customer support, and employee training. Creating life-like scenarios that will feel real to associates for practice and skill-building could entirely change onboarding dynamics and set people up for success. The tired and often eye-roll-inducing mention of role plays will be a thing of the past. Instead, leaders will set up virtual (yet natural feeling) practice sessions to hone skills in areas employees or leaders need most.

It will be an exciting time to watch this unfold. It will take time, and I suspect several branches will try to take hold using this technology. Some will fail, trying to use something new to do old things. Others will blossom by taking an innovative approach to solving old problems in unthought-of ways. Embracing this path and fostering the opportunities it holds will eventually bring success to those who engage early and iterate along the way. I, for one, cannot wait.

What are your initial thoughts on what Apple’s new Vision Pro will bring to the world of retail?

What Is Apple’s Vision Pro Really For?

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