A Pricey Gateway to Innovation
Immerse yourself in a new dimension with Spatial Videos, a groundbreaking feature on the iPhone 15 Pro and Apple’s Vision Pro headset. Capture and relive moments in mesmerizing 3D realism, from the artistry of a sushi chef’s delicate creations to intimate family scenes. Explore the extraordinary display capabilities, seamless interface, and immersive quality, unlocking a new realm of visual storytelling. Dive into the future of memories, though a luxury experience for now, as Apple pioneers a transformative era with Spatial Videos.
Equipped with fitted prescription lenses, my second encounter with the Vision Pro accentuates its extraordinary display capabilities. The interface is seamless, with a rapid eye-tracking setup and intuitive zoom gestures that feel almost telepathic. Panoramic photos surprise me with their immersive quality, wrapping around me like windows into other places.
Spatial Video Recording and Limitations
Spatial videos, recorded by holding the iPhone horizontally, utilize the main and ultrawide cameras simultaneously to craft a 3D experience. The 1,080p, 30fps videos are saved in HEVC format, offering a manageable storage size of about 130MB per minute. Despite these features, shooting in landscape mode and toggling the spatial video mode is necessary, with the camera app guiding optimal recording conditions.
Yet, the technology’s potential appears constrained. There’s currently no API for Apple’s 3D HEVC video format, limiting third-party app recognition. Viewing these videos in 3D is exclusive to the Vision Pro, closing the door on compatibility with other VR headsets. The absence of 4K recording also leaves room for improvement, considering the Vision Pro’s remarkable display capabilities.
The prospect of editing spatial videos is not fully realized, with no support for third-party apps. Final Cut Pro is expected to introduce spatial video editing sometime next year. Apple’s push towards a memory-centric experience, exemplified by the “Memories” feature, aligns with the hazily bordered, recollection-like nature of 3D spatial videos on the Vision Pro.
Despite the impressive technology, the practicality of recording spatial videos may be limited for the majority, given the current price point and exclusive compatibility. As Apple aims to build a library of capable videos before the Vision Pro’s widespread adoption, toggling on the spatial video feature might be a niche choice for now, preserving memories in a format that anticipates a future where 3D becomes the norm.
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