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Opinion – Apple’s attempt to redefine ‘screen time’ is eerie

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The Apple Vision Pro has the ability to pin virtual screens and notices throughout your home and keep them there. Though the tech is far from mainstream, this could be a nod to the future – and it’s eerie as hell.

One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to be more present and significantly decrease the amount of time we spend staring at screens.

This is easier said than done, mind, considering any attempt to break the cycle of being harvested by data-collecting corporations is thwarted at every turn. Sorry to go all Bo Burnham, but it’s true.

Aside from a few fleeting anti-conformist trends, like Gen Z swapping their smartphones for the ‘dumb phone’ mobiles of decade’s past, surveys show that screen time remains on a constant upward trajectory for all demographics.

Offering up yet another pixel-rich experience to burn out our retinas, Apple has released its Vision Pro headset which it hopes will become the benchmark for VR, AR, and exploring the so-called metaverse.

https://youtu.be/IY4x85zqoJM

The cool price of $3,500 (spits coffee) is obviously a major sticking point for the vast majority of consumers, but the wearable device is causing a stir online regardless.

This is because, in terms of realising a true Augmented Reality experience akin to Tony Stark in his hologram workshop, Apple has nailed the proof of concept assignment more than any other to date.

If you search ‘Apple Vision Pro’ several dystopian video clips are currently gaining traction online. One features a man plucking invisible assets from thin air whilst driving Elon’s Cybertruck hands-free. Another shows a brave, gormless looking NYC commuter sporting their shiny new headset on the subway – of all places.

The visceral image of people staring, slack-jawed into space is obviously a little creepy, but one particular feature of the Apple Vision Pro is even more eerie. Though this is far from the first VR/AR headset to hit the market, its ability to pin a seemingly infinite number of screens of all sizes and shapes to physical spaces in any environment is nuts.

A demo shared by Twitter (X) user thekitze reveals their saved preset of phantom screens all over their home, with the humble fridge notice board even getting the digital treatment. Offering up a cyberspace buffet that would be seriously expensive and unfeasible to replicate with real hardware, it’s both impressive and alarming to watch play out.

In terms of gaming, it’s safe to assume that OLED TVs and top-spec monitors will not be replaced by VR anytime soon, considering the Apple device’s meagre 100Hz refresh rate. That aside, however, AR has the potential to provide a ludicrous level of convenience both workwise and for general entertainment.

General enthusiasm for the metaverse has undoubtedly waned in recent years, and it appears that Apple’s marketing drive is reflective of that. The primary focus now is instead on how we can transform our own living spaces using the smorgasbord of digital overlays available.

You may cry storm in a teacup, and fair enough, but I find the whole thing fairly unnerving. Though I’m yet to be convinced that VR headsets will become commonplace for years yet, I can foresee a future where our work hours and downtime are even more intrinsically linked to screens.

We’re becoming increasingly aware of the links between excessive screen time and negative mental health, sleep deprivation, and cognitive decline, and yet our already dwindling attention spans are being targeted with more artificial possibilities.

VR headsets remain a novelty, for now, but as they grow increasingly sophisticated, accessible, and intrusive – let’s be honest – is there the potential for new problems to arise?

Tech Editor London, UK

I’m Jamie (He/Him), the Deputy Editor and a Senior Writer at Thred. Keeping up with social media updates and revolutionary technology is my forte, but when away from my keyboard, you’ll probably find me wrapped around a large Tango ice blast at the latest mediocre horror flick. Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.

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