In order to avoid the confidentiality problems encountered by Google with its Google Glass, Apple blocks developers’ access to the cameras of the augmented reality headset.
Apple is certainly not the first tech player to compete in the augmented reality market. As usual, the Californian brand preferred to wait its turn, and refine its first product before putting it in the hands of its first users. The Apple Vision Pro is therefore the result of a long period of reflection, but also of the observation of numerous competitors who suffered from the industry’s problems several years before. Among them, Google, which broke its teeth about ten years ago with Google Glass.
A first try at Google, which was a big flop
Perhaps you have already forgotten about Google Glass, but these augmented reality glasses made a strong impression when they were presented by Sergey Brin, one of the two co-founders of the search engine. Equipped with a camera, these glasses could project contextual information depending on the place visited or crossed.
Unfortunately for Google, not one engineer in its ranks has asked the question of respect for private life. The legitimate fears concerning being filmed without their knowledge by a Google Glass user have dampened the expectations of the general public and professionals alike. After reorienting its product towards the professional sector, Google discreetly ended this adventure in 2023.
To avoid these problems, Apple is much stricter than Google in this area, and prohibits developers from accessing the Apple Vision Pro cameras in their software, which is not without its problems.
Apple prefers to guarantee its reputation to give its Vision Pro every chance
Apple, concerned about its reputation for respecting privacy, instead offers “surrounding data”, which could allow developers to know what the user sees, without giving them details on what is in his field of vision. To do this, the Apple Vision Pro provides a three-dimensional model, which combines the information captured by the cameras and LiDAR sensors integrated into the AR headset.
This data is not sufficient for certain experiments, as explained by Antony Vitillo, developer of the game HitMotion: Reloadedavailable on Meta Quest: “ People are experimenting a lot with AI and mixed reality. The mix of the two would be great, especially on the Vision Pro, as it is a premium device and should have premium features. I think this would be a really good way to unlock more features “. In this specific case, Antony Vitello explains that access to cameras would make it possible to use objects present in the room where the user is as interactive elements, to improve immersion.
For the moment, Apple does not seem ready to go back on its principles, in order to give its Vision Pro every chance of convincing the widest audience. The Californian company launched into the mixed reality market with a long-term objective and to democratize its product, it is essential to reassure users that their privacy is respected, too bad if the experiences offered are below the technical possibilities of the product.
Source : 9to5Mac
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