Vision Pro: Rewriting the History of Computer Science, Amidst Dreams of Innovation and Challenges of Virtual Reality.

Imagine a curious ten-year-old boy sticking his head inside a gaming helmet to drive a virtual tank. The year is 1970 and the boy is captivated by this immersive experience that makes him feel as if he's truly inside the game. He doesn't know it yet, but this moment will mark the beginning of his journey into the ever-evolving world of computer science and technology.

In the 80s, our protagonist witnesses an explosion of arcade games, making arcades the go-to hangout spots. Here, he discovers digital interactivity, playing games that visually and manually stimulate him, solidifying his passion for the virtual world.

As time marches on to the 90s, he finds himself in a decade dense with epochal changes. Now an adult and a passionate 3D graphic designer, he experiences the eruption of the Internet, courtesy of an Italian provider named Agorà. The web becomes a new world to explore, an endless network of connections that are reshaping the world.

Around this time, he glimpses the future: he reads in industry magazines about a three-dimensional operating system, a revolutionary idea that feels like science fiction. It's an era of experimentation and innovation, interactive Philips DVDs, touchscreen technology, touch and presence sensors, and the advent of Kinect. He absorbs it all, immersing himself in every new technology, experimenting with design, sensory paths, interactive and immersive setups.

Then, the 2000s arrive and with them artificial intelligence, which starts showing its potential. In particular, generative AI begins to shape dynamic and personalized content. His curiosity is insatiable, he remains fascinated by these new technologies that are transforming how we live, work, and play.

Finally, in 2023, our curious observer encounters the Apple Vision Pro, a product that seems to embody all the innovations and dreams of those years of technological evolution. This augmented and virtual reality device isn't just an accessory, it's an epochal change. It represents the new mouse of the future, the core of a three-dimensional immersive operating system, where interaction isn't constrained by a flat screen but unfolds into an engaging three-dimensional experience.

Vision Pro turns your world into a computing device. You can work, play, watch movies, view 3D content, make video calls with friends and family, and access any app on the App Store through it. There's nothing you can't do with Vision Pro, which makes it an incredible device. In Tim Cook's vision of the future, Vision Pro entirely replaces computing devices. You don't need laptops, phones, watches, or even VR controllers to interact with the digital world. Vision Pro handles the functionalities of your laptop or desktop, enabling you to make presentations, write emails, edit files, and do practically anything on a massive virtual screen.

Vision Pro's interface is no longer a mere interface... It's your entire world (or as Apple calls it, VisionOS). Every element occupies a 3D space in your sight, and it isn't constrained by a screen. You can select, overlay, resize, or move elements in your world simply using your hands, eliminating the need for a controller. You can choose to see the world around you, or immerse yourself in a digital realm with a simple twist of a knob (or a crown), while staying connected to the world around you.

A screen on the front of the Vision Pro acts as your digital eyes (or as Apple calls it, EyeSight), so when people speak to you, they see your eyes. If you're immersed in content, your eyes aren't visible on the screen, so they know not to disturb you - it's much like how people know you aren't engaging with them if you aren't making eye contact. However, if they need to get your attention while you're in an immersive experience (like a movie), they can simply approach you, and EyeSight activates. They suddenly become visible to you within your helmet, and your eyes become visible to them. The entire interaction is so intricate and nuanced, you don't need a remote or VR controllers.

However, there is an unexpected side to this story: despite its impressive technology, Vision Pro may seem a risk for Apple itself. By wearing Vision Pro, you'll no longer look at an iPhone, MacBook, Apple Watch, iMac, or TV. You won't even wear AirPods anymore... This may seem like a problem for Apple, self-sabotaging its own products. But the reality could be much more nuanced.

Over time and with the evolution of technologies, Apple Vision Pro may replace all individual Apple products, incorporating all their functions and capabilities into a single, highly advanced device. This won't render iPhones, MacBooks, or Apple Watches obsolete, but rather transform their spirit and functionality into something new, more unified, and powerful. It will be a gradual journey, marked by technological progress and user adaptation to new interaction modes, but it could represent the true future of the Apple ecosystem: a single device that encompasses an individual's entire digital universe. This hypothesis may be mere science fiction, but its realization will depend on how the market embraces Apple Vision Pro.

Recognizing the incredible advancement that Vision Pro represents, our protagonist, ever curious like when he was 10, can't help but reflect on the complex implications of this new digital era. The entire world is now steeped in technology, but this doesn't come without its risks and challenges.

It's no longer just about how we use technology, but how technology is shaping us, influencing our behaviors, social interactions, and perception of reality. The line between the real world and the virtual one is increasingly blurred, and this could have unexpected consequences on our psyche, relationships, and society as a whole.

Privacy has become a central issue as these devices collect more and more data about us. It's a delicate matter, as the need to protect personal information clashes with the innovation and personalization offered by these technologies. The trust we place in companies handling our personal data is immense, but there's always the risk that these details could be misused or fall into the wrong hands.

Dependency on technology is another emerging issue. Constant access to information, unceasing connectivity, and the ease of virtual interaction have decreased our time for reflection, introspection, and solitude. Our attention is constantly solicited, which can lead to stress and burnout.

Finally, while technology has the potential to connect people globally, it can also amplify divisions and foster a sense of isolation. In an increasingly digitized world, those without access to technology or lacking the skills to use it could be left behind, creating a new form of inequality.

Here, then, is our protagonist, standing at the horizon of a future that may seem uncertain and complex to many, but for him represents an infinite field of possibilities. His adventure in the world of technology is far from over; rather, it's just beginning. For him, technology isn't just a collection of devices and innovations; it's a bridge that overcomes barriers, an amplifier of potential, a medium that allows him to express himself and navigate the world in ways that would otherwise not be possible.

The story of computer science, like his own, is not a tale of cold circuits and algorithms, but of humanity, overcoming hardships, and having the courage to explore the unknown. He knows the advent of the digital world is not without challenges and risks, but he's determined to face them with curiosity and an open mind, as he always has.

In the end, it's not technology that defines an individual's life, but the individual himself who shapes and defines his use of technology.