Apple’s latest product, the Apple Vision Pro, is a headset that combines augmented and virtual reality technologies. The device allows users to experience immersive 3D environments, interact with digital objects, and communicate with other people through video chat. However, there is one feature that many users are unhappy about: the lack of customization options for their virtual avatars.
What are Personas?
Personas are the digital representations of users that appear in video chat sessions on the Apple Vision Pro. They are created by the built-in cameras on the headset, which scan the user’s face and generate a realistic 3D model. The Persona is supposed to resemble the user, but with some enhancements and stylizations.
Apple claims that Personas are designed to provide a natural and expressive way of communication, as they can mimic the user’s facial expressions, eye movements, and lip sync. The company also says that Personas are meant to protect the user’s privacy, as they do not reveal their real identity or location.
Why are Users Unhappy?
However, many users are unhappy with the way Personas are created and displayed on the Apple Vision Pro. One of the main complaints is that Personas have to wear generic glasses, regardless of whether the user wears glasses or not in real life. This is because the headset does not accommodate glasses, and users have to purchase separate prescription inserts from Zeiss to use the device.
Many users feel that the glasses ruin their appearance and make them look unattractive or nerdy. They also complain that the glasses interfere with the eye-tracking system, which is supposed to enable realistic eye contact and gaze direction. Some users have reported that their Personas have crossed eyes or look away from the camera.
Another complaint is that users cannot customize their Personas in any way. They cannot change their hair style, skin tone, facial features, or clothing. They are stuck with whatever Persona the headset generates for them, which may not match their preferences or personality. Some users have said that their Personas look nothing like them, or worse, like someone they dislike.
Users have also expressed their frustration with the lack of diversity and representation in Personas. They claim that Personas are biased towards certain ethnicities, genders, and ages, and do not reflect the diversity of Apple’s customers. They have accused Apple of being insensitive and discriminatory in its design choices.
What is Apple’s Response?
Apple has not responded directly to the user complaints about Personas. However, some sources have suggested that Apple is working on a software update that will address some of the issues and improve the quality and accuracy of Personas. The update is expected to be released in early 2024.
Apple has also defended its decision to use Personas as a way of enhancing communication and privacy on the Apple Vision Pro. The company has said that Personas are based on advanced artificial intelligence and computer vision technologies, and that they will evolve over time as the headset learns from the user’s feedback and behavior.
Apple has also emphasized that Personas are not meant to replace or alter the user’s identity, but rather to complement and enrich it. The company has said that Personas are a new form of expression and creativity, and that they will open up new possibilities for social interaction and entertainment on the Apple Vision Pro.
