512 Pixels

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Apple just blew CES out of the water:

Apple today announced Apple Vision Pro will be available beginning Friday, February 2, at all U.S. Apple Store locations and the U.S. Apple Store online. Vision Pro is a revolutionary spatial computer that transforms how people work, collaborate, connect, relive memories, and enjoy entertainment. Vision Pro seamlessly blends digital content with the physical world and unlocks powerful spatial experiences in visionOS, controlled by the most natural and intuitive inputs possible — a user’s eyes, hands, and voice. An all-new App Store provides users with access to more than 1 million compatible apps across iOS and iPadOS, as well as new experiences that take advantage of the unique capabilities of Vision Pro. Pre-orders for Apple Vision Pro begin Friday, January 19, at 5 a.m. PST.

“The era of spatial computing has arrived,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Apple Vision Pro is the most advanced consumer electronics device ever created. Its revolutionary and magical user interface will redefine how we connect, create, and explore.”

Beyond the dates — which are a little earlier than I assumed they would be — there’s not a lot of new information in this press release in terms of specs or features, but we now know more about the straps and what will come in the box:

Apple Vision Pro comes with a Solo Knit Band and Dual Loop Band — giving users two options for the fit that works best for them. Apple Vision Pro also includes a Light Seal, two Light Seal Cushions, an Apple Vision Pro Cover for the front of the device, Polishing Cloth, Battery, USB-C Charge Cable, and USB-C Power Adapter.

That Dual Loop Band includes a strap that goes over the user’s head:

The $3,499 models comes with 256 GB of storage. It’s unknown what models may exist above the base, but I’m a little disappointed that 256 GB is the entry point. I think people are going to want a lot of local media on these things.

Apple has also provided details concerning prescription lenses. Reading lenses will be will be $99 and prescription lenses will be $149. The optical inserts are only online, so have your prescription handy, I suppose.

While I have been a bit on the fence about this product for myself personally, I am excited to get my hands (eyes?) on one.

This week on MPU, David and I explore Apple’s new Journal app and discuss the technology that powers it, which is being leveraged by other journaling apps, including Day One. We also retell the history of Sherlocking.

It’s a new year, and Connected is back:

Federico is stuck in 2023, so Stephen and Myke discuss another dead AirPod Pro, even-bigger iPhones and what 2024 could bring.

Federico, over on Mastodon:

Based on what I’m reading here, on Reddit, and some Discords, you do NOT want to install iOS 17.3 beta 2 on iPhones. Mine is bricked and I’m going to have to erase and do a full restore.

iPads seem to be updating fine.

As Chance Miller notes, this is the best kind of bug — seemingly random:

There doesn’t appear to be any rhyme or reason as to which iPhone models are affected by this problem. We’ve seen reports from iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users alike. On the other hand, some people have been able to update with no problem.

Update: It looks like the Back Tap is the culprit.

Update 2: The update has been pulled for now.

Apple Support:

Learn how to remove and replace the Apple I/O card in your Mac Pro.

All it takes is a screwdriver.

On the final MPU episode of the year, David and I reflect on the tech that has served us well over the last 12 months.

Better go spend those Apple Store gift cards quickly!

December 25 has come and gone, and the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 are still not for sale in the United States. As Ariel Shapiro reports, things are moving on to the next step:

Apple has filed an appeal to the International Trade Commission’s decision to ban U.S. sales of Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 models, court records show. Additionally, the company is requesting an emergency stay on the ban for at least two weeks until a decision is made on redesigned versions of the banned models.

“We strongly disagree with the USITC decision and resulting exclusion order, and are taking all measures to return Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to customers in the U.S. as soon as possible,” Apple said in a statement to Reuters on Tuesday. Apple did not immediately respond to The Verge’s request for comment.

Apple Support:

The USB-C Multiport Adapter Update 1.0 improves the compatibility and reliability of your Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter or Apple USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter. This update is recommended for all users.

Ah yes, firmware updates for dongles.

This week on MPU:

Mikah Sargent returns to the show to update the guys on his Apple hardware, talk about how he prepares for his various audio and video podcasts and help explain what’s going on with the Matter smart home standard.

Some sad Apple Retail news broke this afternoon. Here’s Joe Rossignol:

“After many years of serving customers at our stores in the Bay Area, we plan to close our store at Infinite Loop,” an Apple spokesperson said, in a statement shared with MacRumors. “All of our valued team members will have the opportunity to continue their roles with Apple. We look forward to welcoming our customers at our nearby Apple Park Visitor Center and other locations, on Apple.com, and the Apple Store app.”

For years, this location was known as “The Company Store,” and was a place for employees and users alike to pick up merchandise with Apple’s branding on it. I visited the store way back in 2007 when I was training to be a Mac Genius, and it was something special. Since its reopening in 2015, it’s been a fairly typical Apple Store, with the addition of some t-shirts and the lack of a Genius Bar.

In both of its incarnations, the Infinite Loop location was a neat place to visit, but was very clearly just the first floor of a very busy office building, complete with a shortage of parking. For the picky enthusiast, the Apple Park Visitor Center has been a much better place to visit since it first opened in the fall of 2017.