In the continually evolving world of technology, Apple took a momentous stride with the release of its innovative Apple Vision Pro on 5 June.
This device, which seamlessly bridges the gap between digital and physical realms, is designed to keep users grounded in the present while fostering connection and engagement.
The Vision Pro broadens the scope for apps, surpassing the limitations of traditional display borders and fostering a fully three-dimensional user interface.
It integrates Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) capabilities, flaunting a 4K display for each eye, a suite of 12 cameras, five sensors, and operates on Apple’s advanced M2 and R1 chips.
The world’s first spatial operating system, visionOS, is the lifeblood of Vision Pro. It facilitates user interaction with digital content as if it were physically present, a feat accomplished through a cutting-edge design featuring an ultra-high-resolution display system with 23 million pixels across two displays. Apple’s custom silicon in a unique dual-chip design powers this innovative technology.
Despite the impressive specs, the Vision Pro’s potential adoption across various industries might be hindered due to its high price of US$3,500.
However, the device’s powerful specifications, which enable real-time display of the outside world through video feeds inside the headset, distinguish it as the first gadget capable of delivering high-quality VR and augmented reality experiences.
Apple’s emphasis on security is evident in the Vision Pro. Optic ID uses the uniqueness of your iris to authorize purchases and unlock passwords, with the data being encrypted and stored only on your device.
Furthermore, data from cameras and sensors is processed at the system level, negating the need for individual apps to access the device’s surroundings for spatial experiences.
However, experts from MacPaw, a Kyiv-based software development company with nearly 15 years of experience that brought Apple users with products such as CleanMyMac and ClearVPN, have expressed concerns about the potential implications of the Vision Pro.
Anastasiia Satarenko, a Senior Product Designer at MacPaw, raised concerns about the Digital persona and Optic ID, citing potential privacy issues.
“I’m worried about the Digital persona and Optic ID because they raise privacy issues. It seems like something from a TV show like Black Mirror. There could have been other choices, like using a Fingerprint ID to unlock the device, which is commonly used by other companies. Additionally, having a digital persona that looks almost human but not quite could make things feel strange and take away from the social aspects that Apple has been building all this time.”
In a similar vein, Oleksandr Pronsky, Design Manager at CleanMyMac by MacPaw, pointed out societal implications of immersive technology, suggesting that it could negatively impact social interactions and overall mental well-being.
“Besides the expensive cost, there are some flaws with the Vision Pro. It still appears creepy, don’t you think? A video demonstrates children competing for their father’s attention while he is completely absorbed in virtual reality.”
Senior Software Engineer at MacPaw, Ivan Petrukha, assured that Apple had designed the Vision Pro with a strong emphasis on privacy and security.
He explained that the device’s cameras and sensors will not be accessible to third-party developers, and your eye focus will not be accessible to anyone, including Apple. In addition, the Optic ID biometric authentication feature stores your biometric data locally and exclusively in the Secure Enclave subsystem.
Addressing potential security threats, Viktor Kubashok, a Senior Malware Research Engineer at MacPaw, shares how Optic ID, a new feature that protects Apple Vision Pro, analyzes your eye retina.
“This data is kept safe by Secure Enclave, fully encrypted, and inaccessible to other programs. The processed data stays on your device and is not sent to Apple, third-party apps, or websites.”
Apple states that only final selections are transmitted, which occurs when you tap your fingers together.
He, however, noted the potential for hackers to attempt to bypass the Optic ID authentication system. Still, he noted that the ability to predict such threats remains challenging due to Apple’s robust security precautions.
For instance, the possibility of privacy invasions through zero-day exploits remains a concern. QuaDream, an Israeli advanced spyware firm, allegedly used a suspected zero-day to spy on journalists, political opposition figures, and an NGO worker across multiple continents, according to researchers from the Citizen Lab and Microsoft.
Nevertheless, the Apple Vision Pro is undeniably a significant advancement in spatial computing. As we move forward, the tech community will keenly observe how these initial concerns are addressed and how this device may redefine our digital interactions.
