Apple Vision Pro and The Inevitability of the Metaverse: Embracing a New Reality

Description:
In this insightful keynote speech, Virtual Reality expert Bob Cooney challenges the prevalent skepticism surrounding the Metaverse. He argues that the Metaverse is an unstoppable force shaping our future despite public resistance and misconceptions. The address delves into the human resistance to altering perceived reality, discussing how comfort in the known often overshadows the potential of new dimensions.
Cooney explores reality and perception to illustrate how our reality is a personal virtual construct. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and embracing the Metaverse as more than just a technological tool but a natural extension and enhancement of our human experience. The talk highlights significant technological milestones and Apple's contributions to intuitive interfaces, predicting that their Vision Pro will redefine our interaction with digital worlds.
The keynote culminates in a powerful vision of the Metaverse as a communal, imaginative space, transcending the confines of our current reality. It's not about escaping life but enriching it with endless possibilities. The speaker leaves the audience with a call to action: to embrace this new frontier, not with fear, but with the excitement and curiosity of explorers at the dawn of a new world.
Timestamps:
00:00: Introduction and the Myth of the Dead Metaverse
02:30: Human Resistance to Altered Reality
05:00: The Nature of Reality and Perception
08:00: The Role of Technology in Shaping Perception
11:30: Apple's Vision Pro and the Future of Interfaces
15:00: Virtual Telepresence and the Essence of Human Connection
18:30: The Metaverse as a Shared, Creative Space
22:00: Conclusion and Call to Embrace the Metaverse
Keywords: Metaverse, Reality, Perception, Technology, Apple Vision Pro, Virtual Reality, Human Connection, Future, Innovation.
Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insightful discussions and keynote speeches like this one. Engage with us in the comments to share your thoughts on the Metaverse and how you envision its impact on our future.

[@potatoes_are_fine8679]

This is the level of effective communication + energy this industry desperately needs to help people understand these ideas and bring optimism to those who have been looking at this for a while. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience 🙏

[@beingvirtual]

Thank you so much.

[@eduardofelix3757]

Si

[@Stanley-px3bt]

@@beingvirtual This is actually the explanation of the Vision Pro that Apple is incapable of making. Thanks

[@beingvirtual]

THanks!@@Stanley-px3bt

[@jerohamortiz6971]

Spot on. Apple's constant refining of User Experience (UX) is what keeps pushing the next innovation forward. I recall back when the iPhone came out, I had a Smartphone, which at the time, 98% of the people thought: "why have a phone so bulky? why have email/internet/programs on your phone?". Then along came the iPhone that, sporting a limited set of features compared to current Smartphones, paved the way on how Smartphones should work.

[@ColePearl]

This video is absolutely excellent. You have a great mind thinking ahead and what’s coming. You are right, AR/VR is the future and I’m excited!

[@Sbnop]

I really like this one. Congrats. Very informative and makes you think

[@beingvirtual]

Thank you.

[@Shlooomth]

When you say “the metaverse,” I think a lot of people think of Snow Crash, Ready Player One etc. But the design paradigm of a contiguous virtual shared world space where people move around and interact like in the real world, has some serious opposing constraints, like motion sickness. Personally that is the design problem I’m looking forward to seeing Apple tackle.

[@oahuliving2855]

As the tech improves, our brains get less “Motion sick” triggered. So the learning curve should only decrease and rapidly so.

[@Shlooomth]

@@oahuliving2855 the challenge I’m referring to is about the human brain, the inner ear and the sense of balance. Some people swear they can “get used to it” but it’s unavoidable that it adds more cognitive load, which is uncomfortable. Until someone miniaturizes the tech that can use magnets or whatever to fool the inner ear and make you feel like you’re moving like you are in the virtual space, you’re going to have these opposing constraints.

[@beingvirtual]

Yeah, motion sickness doesn't need to be an issue. It's been solved for most use cases, but unfortunately the early experience, and poorly trained developers have not applied the best practices widely enough. That's why Apple is starting with mostly 2D apps.

[@Jaden378]

Great video!

[@beingvirtual]

Thanks!

[@marxhubert]

Reality is not just perception; it also acts physically, and no one can escape it. The other reality, the one you're talking about, isn't really one. Certainly, on a more advanced level, it will also accumulate human experiences, events, and various facts. But it remains purely a matter of perception, as you describe it so well. And it has a name: virtuality. A place where you could escape from the true reality, have fun, and do things like working or even learning. But you wouldn't live there. It can be very concrete in terms of informational aspects, though. Well, it's worth keeping a close eye on because it's going to be another level of communication. And I like the concept of mix-reality.

[@beingvirtual]

Thanks for adding this context. I agree, it's not someplace we will live. I do think it will impact our human experience in ways we can not imagine yet. And ultimately will further integrate tech, for better and worse, into our lives.

[@griefwells]

@@beingvirtual @marxhubert this is the dialogue i didn't know i needed to read today. this stuff is tickling my brain...

[@DonAllenIII]

Im so excited for this!!!!!!! GREAT VIDEO!!

[@beingvirtual]

Me too!! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@peterhoffman4129]

I remember walking around 30 years ago with one of the first Nokia cell phones and being a bit ashamed of people staring at me when I was talking while walking in the street.

[@beingvirtual]

And the first time we wore headphones to talk and were not holding the phone to our ear? Wondering if people thought we were talking to ourselves. Funny how strange things can become normal.

[@dvdaltizer]

you're my new favorite youtuber

[@L.G.productions]

You need to upload in 4k man

[@russellschundler6559]

Excellent content and visual presentation. Thanks !!!

[@beingvirtual]

I'll take the credit for the content. Visual credit to my editor, Arvin.

[@JeBoiHugo]

Wow this video is a real gem putting exactly into words why the metaverse is inevitable, bringing the philosophical, biological and technical together🔥💯 great job on this I subbed

[@beingvirtual]

Wow, thanks for the kind comments and review.

[@FalkoJoseph]

Well made video mate, covering interesting topics. Added to my watchlist to check the entire video when I have some more time.

[@beingvirtual]

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate you.

[@enriquemontero74]

I think For this metaverse technology to truly work, it must be good enough, have high graphic fidelity, reliable internet, be comfortable, and above all, be interoperable, much like a World Wide Web. All these universes should be part of a large network that isn't independent but easily accessible from any platform and gives you the ability to bring your personalized avatar into that universe. For this to happen, all these companies-Nvidia, Apple, Sony, Meta, etc.-must work together.

[@cirologia]

Perfect video

[@yiravarga]

VR concerts need to get WAY better for any chance.

[@beingvirtual]

Well if you're referring to the concerts where 100 people are avatars in a virtual hall, I agree. If you look at what's happening at the Las Vegas Sphere, with US and Phish and other bands creating amazing dome experiences, I imagine those in the Apple Vision Pro will be pretty special.

[@niveshproag3761]

9:29 Did you just call Marques Brownlee a Tech Skeptic??? 😂😂😂

[@beingvirtual]

Haha, well, if you listen to his review, he calls himself a skeptic when it comes to buying into hype. And I tend to agree with him.

[@r.m8146]

Excellent video, thanks!

[@beingvirtual]

You are welcome! Appreciate you taking the time to comment.

[@CalmingWinds]

Its already here, its called VRChat

[@paulrevere1479]

Cartoony. Vision Pro is not cartoony.

[@beingvirtual]

@@paulrevere1479 Vision Pro is just a hardware and OS, I am sure VR Chat will come to AVP.

[@jerohamortiz6971]

VRChat is actually quite impressive and versatile. I guess it could use photorealistic avatars for more "serious" use cases. Somehow I feel kind of silly talking to my son when we both are anime characters. I can't imagine a how that would apply to a business meeting. 😅 Although, I'm aware that being virtual gives us the chance to be someone/something/whatever else we want, and that is probably how the current and future generations (like my son) feel completely comfortable, even in work related settings.

[@beingvirtual]

Will be interesting to watch that space.

[@beingvirtual]

@@jerohamortiz6971 yeah these are two very different use cases. Not everyone is prepared to be a kitten in every conversation. Virtual telepresence is about feeling like you are really there with someone. There's definitely a place for fantasy avatars, but it's unlikely to become adopted as a mainstream means of communication anytime soon.

[@boomshotta]

I'm glad someone else gets it.

[@beingvirtual]

Appreciate you.

[@westmcgee9320]

Fascinating take - headsets bringing people together instead of isolating them.

[@beingvirtual]

We can hope!

[@westmcgee9320]

@@beingvirtual I have been hoping that mirroring will make it a shared experience when I’d prefer the 3D version of a movie and my family would be fine with 2D.

[@beingvirtual]

@@westmcgee9320 Yeah, I think it's a really good point. I was a bit disappointed when they listed the airplay resolution at only 720P instead of 4K.

[@spikesrd]

Sub. Great video and perspective. Going to revisit this one several times in next weeks as AVP launch rolls out. Thanks

[@beingvirtual]

Awesome, thank you!

[@wedontexist369]

Amazing video, throughly enjoyed it - please make more!!!

[@beingvirtual]

I will! Thanks for the encouragement.

[@joeysipos]

Love it. I can tell you are on top of this technology

[@beingvirtual]

It's kind of all I think about.

[@xr.melissa]

Excellent talk! I'm curious to see how Apple's ecosystem evolves with the addition to AVP. Ironically, of all companies, they seem to the best positioned to actually create something akin to a closed Apple metaverse between all of their products... even if they refuse to use the term.

[@beingvirtual]

Thanks Melissa. I’m hoping that their acceptance of WebXR signals their willingness to allow more connectivity between online worlds. Check out my Deep Dive with Dulce Baerga on that topic if you’re interested.

[@kuribosan]

Such a cool channel!! Talking about philosophy, spirituality, and tech at the same time. This is exactly what excites me. Subscribed!!!

[@beingvirtual]

Maybe I need to reposition myself. Really appreciate the comment.

[@CRASS2047]

The downside I see, is that there seems to be decreased empathy among young people who spend the majority of their social interaction online. When you are removed physically you lose the ability to read body language. They seem to view the real world as a game. I’m excited about AR/VR, just concerned about the negative effects. Hopefully telepresence can help this

[@beingvirtual]

I share your concern. I believe that because Meta is pushing in this space, people equate the metaverse with social media. Nothing is further from reality.

[@CRASS2047]

@@beingvirtual right. Different things. But the lack of empathy is not only being caused by social media, but online gaming. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard voice chat during online gaming, but it feels like many young people are starting to act the same way in the real world as they do in games. I’ve seen videos where a guy is dying, and young guys are laughing and filming it instead of helping. That’s my concern. Especially if the metaverse becomes as big of a thing as I believe it will. Hopefully we can work on that

[@beingvirtual]

@@CRASS2047@CRASS2047 Yeah, but it's important not to confuse causation and correlation. There's no evidence at all that video games or social media cause a lack of empathy. However, there is evidence that VR experiences can trigger empathy in people with the capacity to show it. I believe these are broader societal issues, and technology makes them more visible. But I don't know if they actually make them more prevalent. There have been many assholes for a very long time.

[@CRASS2047]

@@beingvirtual I don’t believe it’s the games causing it, I believe it’s when the majority of social interaction is online in whatever form that takes. I’m definitely excited about the future of AR/VR and the metaverse. I’m just saying I do have concerns. And I hope that is a part of this moving forward. I’m not trying to be a negative Nancy.

[@jerohamortiz6971]

​@@CRASS2047 I believe the "lack of empathy" phenomenon might be attributed to a lack of blame and lack of real world consequences. The users know that someone dying online it is not "real" , therefor it is ok to make fun of it. The consequence is that they begin to treat all virtual interactions as "not real" , so they think it is OK to bully someone online. The lack of blame is also a problem, since people think "oh, this is not real life, it is virtual or game setting, so whatever happens here stays here (like Vegas or something)" and that is also concerning. But it all boils down to what Bob said: "There have been many assholes for a very long time."

[@VJFranzK]

😎 glad to see a rare channel that "gets it"! XR is not "dead", the story has barely even started. (now aka "spatial computing") as a media artist in Horizon Worlds etc, I'm really interested in "Social VR", and how it will be featured on this new platform...

[@knightscape]

Fantastic!

[@beingvirtual]

Glad you like it! And thanks for commenting!

[@knightscape]

I’ve been watching this space since back in the CAVE days. I’m so excited to see this space develop like I got to watch the web mutate back in the 90s.

[@timwalls-tl1bt]

Great video. I can't wait for this. We are already seeing this happen through VR gaming. My wife still isn't convinced. Hopefully i can get her to watch this video!

[@beingvirtual]

Thanks Tim. Would love to hear your wife’s POV as a skeptic.

[@timwalls-tl1bt]

@@beingvirtual She just keeps saying that she doesn't want to live in a virtual world and that she wants to remain 'present' in the real world. She also believes that VR is just video games and video games are for children. Really hope this video can change her mind a little 🤞

[@LarryMoore]

a very good explanatory video for not only non-tech-savvies, but also for the rest of us

[@beingvirtual]

Thanks @larry. I try to bridge that gap the best I can.

[@michaeladams9107]

Ok so I just came across this on my feed and watched it because it's a topic I'm interested in (I'm picking up an AVP and don't know much about virtual universes). Seeing that this is a young channel I thought I'd provide direct feedback. I don't usually comment on videos - hopefully it's not taken negatively. My reaction to the video is that while it has some good information and insight, it's mostly overrun by what feels like a stream of preached ideas that weren't very rigorously developed. There were a few times in the video where I felt like Bob conveyed some new way of looking at something, then undercut it later because it fit the narrative at that later point in the video. My recommendation is to have the structure of the video more clear-cut A -> B -> C, let the tech/science/news take center stage, and be judicious with your philosophical nuggets... picking only the most solid. I'm not saying get rid of them entirely, but let the viewers pull on your philosophy instead of over-pushing it. There is a bulk of viewers that is pretty damn discerning.

[@beingvirtual]

Thanks for taking the time to offer your insights. Would love to know which of the "philosophical nuggets" you felt were "most solid."

[@michaeladams9107]

Sure thing. Just to name a few: The philosophical concepts that: • the metaverse is inevitable • reality is the inputs to our brain, full stop • virtual telepresence fixing the toxic twitter trend (not sure I agree with this one though) Your insights about historical disruptive leaps in interface technology The description of the nuanced purpose of the reality dial, not shoving people into the deep end

[@beingvirtual]

@@michaeladams9107 I appreciate you taking the time. I'll definitely focus on those topics in the next video(s).

[@BlackLionWolf]

⁠@@beingvirtualI wouldn’t put too much stock in the commenters recommendations. They are entitled to their opinion and I respect that but these are mostly stylistic takes where there is no directly right or wrong reasoning. Right now this industry is in its infancy. We can’t pussyfoot around our visions of the future. When we love something so much we must go boldly with our visions. I say don’t be be ashamed about the inevitability of the metaverse and please continue your exploratory philosophical takes. They are by default not going to be evidence based given that the topic is the future. Nothing is set in stone. Your takes are a breath of fresh air and are fundamentally different from the average VR influencer! Cheers friend!

[@RR-gv6ek]

What conference was this a keynote for?

[@beingvirtual]

metametaclub.io/

[@Krn7777w]

The device from factor is very important. Hope the glasses resemble Ray-Ban sunglasses from factor. The blindfold form factor is claustrophobic.

[@AD-zc2ug]

I am suprised you don't have many followers or views. Maybe you need sponsorship or read about algorithms

[@beingvirtual]

Thanks, I am not really trying to build an audience here. I use it mostly as a place to post my videos and then share them on other social networks, or via my email list. Someday I might hire someone to help figure out the algorithm, but it's not something I am interested in mastering at this stage of my career.

[@vitormauch7367]

I'm not partaking in this "meta-verse" lunacy, thank you very much

[@beingvirtual]

That's the nice thing about it. You can choose to not participate.

[@vitormauch7367]

damn, awesome!@@beingvirtual

[@Nattyog]

Metaverse 👍

[@DJTI99]

My first problem is that right now it simply sucks. I keep expecting a "new reality," but just get half-baked garbage. Every time I've been to any type of metaverse environment, it is 15 year-old edgelords and broken apps, not to mention the severe motion sickness after about ten minutes of use. People keep telling me that they've fixed motion sickness issues, but I have yet to not get motion sickness every time I've tried this over the last five years. Then there is the fact that Cyberspace/VR/The Metaverse has constantly been five to ten years away from true viability and mass adoption since the late 80s, so forgive me for being skeptical about it taking off just because Apple got into the game. I also don't see how people who want to stay home are going to be any less isolated with this technology, especially if they can just shut others out of their own new reality. VR seems like an invitation to become even more isolated. People are already in their own echo chambers. How is this going to be any different, except having 3D graphics? I also think it is a way for corporations to exploit people and their data even more by fully controlling the reality presented to us. Do we really want a reality that is fully controlled by multinational corporations that have shown that they are hostile to democracy and pressure us to consume even more than we do, especially if they don't have to create actual things and can sell the equivalent of NFTs to us? I've already disconnected from almost all social media, and what an improvement. Technology was getting in the way of my actual social interactions. Since I've done that, I have less stress, consume far fewer consumer goods, and have become far more creative, and I actually see my friends even more often because we make actual plans instead of just interacting online. In fact, all the things you seem to be excited about, like games and book clubs, are things I already do with my friends IRL. And get this. I get to give them hi-fives and hugs. I remember when we were promised that social media was going to do all the things you talk about with social interaction without borders, but really was just used to divide us. I really don't see how environments owned and controlled by the same giant corporations are going to be any better just because they are more immersive. And this is from someone who has understood for a while that reality is pretty malleable, and has found other ways to explore new realities. VR ain't it. I know you think people like me only focus on the negative, but quite honestly, I have yet to see much positive in it. I think it is another way that corporations can exert control. It really seems dystopian to me. It may look cool, but I think in practice it is going to be horrific.

[@drmarioschannel]

people said the internet would provide the same kind of infrastructure. sure, vr will allow for a more visual interaction, but how will it be different?

[@r.m8146]

Are you kidding me? You don't think that interacting directly with your screen and them being 3- dimensional is different? Have you ever used any HMDs at all?

[@beingvirtual]

The sense of presence is astoundingly better. And that's with crappy avatars. if you read some of the recent tech journalist reviews, like Scott Stein, where he watched the spatial videos he recorded with his iPhone 15, they were really blown away by the emotional connection with those videos. As we move towards 3D video teleconferencing, it's going to be a game changer.

[@drmarioschannel]

@beingvirtual the technology is amazing, but its still on the internet therefore within the confines of the market.

[@beingvirtual]

Couldn't you say the same thing about the internet being within the confines of the computing market? That dismisses the impact that the internet had on human experience. It's changed our culture. The metaverse is going to do the same thing, but it ways we can only begin to imagine. @@drmarioschannel

[@michaellatta]

I disagree. Spatial computing is computing in 3d space. The metaverse as presented by meta is putting people in an artificial world. It will be interesting to see if they converge, but Vision Pro is about short virtual interactions while the metaverse seems to be more about moving in.

[@beingvirtual]

Maybe you didn’t watch the whole thing. Or maybe I failed to make this point. My prediction is that these short interactions will become more and more frequent. And they will then become connected. And then we will realize we’re in the metaverse. The metaverse is the connection of all those short virtual experiences.

[@michaellatta]

@@beingvirtual possibly, but I think Apple is targeting something else. Today I spend as much as 6 hours a day in zoom calls, and some days only 2 hours. On days I do few calls I spend a lot of time coding on a screen. I would think meta’s vision is that I sit in a virtual conference room for both types of days with the coding days popping a virtual monitor into the virtual conference room. I think apple’s vision is that the people in the zoom calls appear floating in my real world room, and coding happens on a monitor floating in my real world room. Apple can convert the environment into one of its scenery environments, but I do not think they plan to render artificial 3d rooms or environments to host virtual events. The background is either the local real world or a photographed/filmed real environment. Having the photorealistic background may make the rendered virtual content less threatening to our sense of reality.

[@beingvirtual]

@@michaellatta I see where you're coming from and generally agree, with one exception. You are accurately describing where both companies are today. But Apple's vision (pun intended) is the same as Zuckerberg's. They're just way better at marketing, messaging, and meeting consumer needs as they exist. Meta seems to be trying to sell a vision for the future. Apple is selling a vision today, that will migrate into something much bigger. It's what they did with the iPhone.

[@m2studiopotts]

So well done Bob. Great video. As an expert in this place myself. I must say. I think you are dead on! I even agree with your timing projections. Absolutely dialed in to the max.

[@beingvirtual]

Wow, thanks - I really appreciate that.

[@Gabriel.A.L.]

I am a VR fan, but the possibilities are very limited. What makes us alive are all the senses of our body and the only interface that gives us a 360 full experience is the reality.

[@paulrevere1479]

No. Didn’t The Matrix explain to you about what is real or not???

[@Gabriel.A.L.]

@@paulrevere1479 ? First of all the matrix assumes that everything happens in the brain but in fact, we have the same amount of neurons in the digestive system also processing information than in the brain. And Matrix is not a VR headset world, it is a direct brain interface that i doubt will be able to produce a full experience.

[@paulrevere1479]

@@Gabriel.A.L. You are living in an alternate reality my friend.

[@Gabriel.A.L.]

@@paulrevere1479 if i am already in an alternative reality, then the word reality itself becomes meaningless if everything alternative.

[@paulrevere1479]

@@Gabriel.A.L. Multiple realities exist at once. Your reality is not exactly or necessarily everyone else’s. Some people say they hear voices and they are called crazy. Are they crazy though? What if they’re experiencing something that’s very true and real to them and we are the crazy ones? Back to the Vision Pro though. Wayyyy back people dreamed of a device like the VP. Back then it was just fantasy but now it’s a reality. Do not say the possibilities are limited.

[@Joachim.Jacobs]

If the world is a construct of our mind why do we all see the same world?

[@beingvirtual]

Why do you believe we all see the same world? We all use the same language to describe what we see but that does not mean we all see the same thing.

[@Joachim.Jacobs]

LMAO ok, so we all don't see that a couch is in the room if we're in the same room?@@beingvirtual

[@beingvirtual]

@@Joachim.Jacobs We all see something that we agree to call a couch. There is no way to know that what you see and what I see is the same thing. It's a metaphysical truth. Bats, dogs, and humans see the same things and they look different. We assume that all humans see things the same way, but neuroscience suggests that's a fallacy.

[@robinlk]

I was enjoying and watching the video up until the point where it tuned into an Apple sermon. I still appreciate the effort that you've put into the metaverse side of things and the first few minutes really resonate with me. No doubt there would have been more interesting insights later in the video.

[@RoellesLife]

Why not just use satellite web technology to pull up your hologram computer in the sky? Your Identity would be a invisible DNA scan to gain access to you computer in the sky. The technology is here to do this.

[@GhostSal]

For the Metaverse to succeed graphics need to improve dramatically, they can’t give us PS1 graphics and the more realistic the better. Then gameplay needs to be fun, exciting and engaging. Also the no legs thing, is a valid criticism, billions spent and they can’t even give us legs? The whole thing feels like a generic bootleg copy of sims2.

[@beingvirtual]

The graphics in the AVP are amazing. And Unreal 5.3 brings that to VR. It’s coming.

[@enigmo20]

😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣

[@beingvirtual]

I am always happy to make people laugh. Even inadvertently.

[@trubachoff]

Apple farted in a puddle in vr/ar🥸