In 2024, Apple was in full swing, launching significant updates to the iPad and Mac ranges, the iPhone 16, and the Apple Watch Series 10.
Despite these launches, none of these devices will make the impact that the Apple Vision Pro has made and will continue to make. Thus, we are honored to name the Apple Vision Pro as the DMN Product of the Year for 2024.
Chance Miller, Editor-in-chief of DMN
While the decision to label Apple Vision Pro as our Apple product of the year might spark some debate, I genuinely believe this choice is justified.
My interactions with the Apple Vision Pro have been among the most magical technological experiences I’ve had. The memory of watching my first spatial video is unforgettable, and experiencing my favorite film, Back to the Future, in the Cinema Environment was incredible. In fact, I’ve viewed more movies this year than ever before, thanks to the Apple Vision Pro.
Apple’s design decisions for the Vision Pro have already made waves with its biggest competitor. Meta quickly began adopting elements of Apple’s unique spatial computing design as soon as the Vision Pro was launched, enhancing its hand tracking, gesture recognition, and spatial video support. The influence of the Apple Vision Pro is undeniable.
Moreover, Mac Virtual Display transforms the Vision Pro into an exceptionally adaptable computer. The initial version of Mac Virtual was impressive, but visionOS 2.2 elevated the experience with new wide and ultrawide options, enhanced visual fidelity, and refined audio routing.
Apple has room for improvement if it desires the Vision Pro (or its future iterations) to represent the future of computing genuinely. The positive aspect is that Apple appears to be responsive to feedback, promising advancements in spatial computing in the years ahead. Additionally, there has been a marked increase in the availability of Immersive Video and a growing collection of third-party applications.
Noteworthy contenders for honorable mentions would be the M4 Mac mini and M4 iPad Pro. However, as remarkable as those updates are, I don’t believe they can match the Apple Vision Pro. I welcome any feedback from those who think otherwise.
Zac Hall, Senior Summer Intern
There’s no doubt that Apple Vision Pro is the standout product of the year. It was not a purchasable item last year, and it won’t lose its novelty next year. This past year has seen other Apple products evolve; however, Apple Vision Pro is a groundbreaking innovation for the company.
Yes, its price is steep, but its technology is vastly more impressive than the existing affordable headsets. Essentially, the AVP is akin to a Mac, while other headsets are comparable to a Nintendo Wii. Sure, budget-friendly game consoles may excel in entertainment, but the Mac remains the reliable workhorse.
Compared to earlier products like the original iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, the Apple Vision Pro represents a significant leap forward. Each of those prior devices was quickly rendered obsolete by improved versions, but I anticipate that the first-generation AVP will remain relevant and ahead of its time well into 2025 and 2026.
This isn’t to say that Apple Vision Pro is the most significant technology of the year; that distinction belongs to the combination of ChatGPT and Claude. However, within the context of Apple’s technological contributions, I believe 2024 will go down as the year that Apple Vision Pro came into existence. And as for Apple Intelligence? The suite of generative AI features requires its chatbot before it can be compared to ChatGPT and Claude.
Honorable mentions include the cancellation of Project Titan (RIP Apple Car), the upgrade to 16 GM RAM for M2 and M3 MacBook Air, and the end of FineWoven iPhone cases.
Ryan Christoffel, News Writer
While Apple’s other products released in 2024 have achieved higher success according to conventional metrics, the Vision Pro stands apart.
Vision Pro introduced a fresh product that integrated a classic Apple approach to an established category. Technically classified as a VR headset, it operates as both an AR and VR device, a concept Apple terms a spatial computer.
Although it may take time to determine if spatial computing will capture widespread attention, the Vision Pro unmistakably presents an audacious, innovative perspective on the future of computing.
The Vision Pro is deserving of the Product of the Year title as it introduces something significantly distinctive amid Apple’s 2024 product lineup.
My go-to device this year, the M4 iPad Pro, showcases impressive improvements, yet it remains fundamentally an iPad. Similarly, while the iPhone 16 Pro and M4 Mac mini shine, none introduce something fundamentally new.
These days, it’s expected that every new Apple product will be a hit. Although Vision Pro has not reached that level yet, Tim Cook has aptly termed it an “early adopter product,” and I believe that fits well.
I eagerly anticipate seeing where Apple plans to take the Vision Pro in the future.
Jeff Benjamin, Head of Video Content Production
There are few unforgettable technological experiences in life: the first time I jumped over a Goomba on the NES, clicked the mouse on an original Macintosh, swiped on an iPhone’s display, and mashed the accelerator in a Tesla. Such moments are rare, but they leave a lasting impact.
The Apple Vision Pro reignited that sensation for me—a feeling I’ve encountered only a handful of times.
Initially, I was convinced that the M4 Mac mini deserved the top spot for its exceptional value and unparalleled cost-effectiveness in Apple’s history. However, the Apple Vision Pro deserves acknowledgment due to the sense of wonder it evokes. It isn’t merely another product with a fancy design; it’s a revolutionary gadget showcasing groundbreaking UX and UI that continues to astonish me almost a year post-launch.
The Apple Vision Pro provides the most remarkable TV and movie-watching experience I’ve ever encountered—far exceeding any movie theater experience. While it is an isolating, single-user device, it can be argued that smartphones also create isolation, albeit differently; they provide a false sense of presence even when one’s mind is elsewhere.
With the Apple Vision Pro, there’s no false perception. You’re genuinely transported to an entirely different dimension, even to worlds like the moon, as I utilize visionOS 2’s Mac Virtual Display to edit videos in Final Cut Pro—feel free to judge me.
It may not be perfect, a common trait of first-generation devices, yet Apple has established an incredible foundation with the Vision Pro and visionOS, and I’m thrilled to see how this journey unfolds.
Filipe Esposito, Editor
The Vision Pro hasn’t met Apple’s high expectations for success. Still, whether you plan to own one or not, odds are you’ve heard plenty about it. While the initial model may fade from memory, the Vision platform will likely evolve into sleeker headsets and possibly stylish glasses in the future.
Although only a couple of hundred thousand people globally currently possess this headset, the Apple Vision Pro has already made a significant impact in the AR/VR sector. I’m eager to see what comes next.
Fernando Silva, Video Producer
The Apple Vision Pro rightfully claims the title of Apple’s Product of the Year for one clear reason: it’s the first item since the original iPhone to leave me completely mesmerized. From the instant I experienced it, the device felt like pure magic. The ability to seamlessly interact with the UI using only my eyes seems revolutionary, and the accuracy with which it detects finger taps, regardless of hand positioning, feels almost impossible. It’s akin to stepping into the Iron Man helmet, where the technology combines futuristic allure with intuitive usability.
Other contenders for the title, like the Mac Mini and the M4 iPad Pro, also impress, showcasing Apple’s commitment to innovation and performance. However, despite my admiration for these devices, it was the Vision Pro that left me in awe.
What truly qualifies the Vision Pro for this title is its adaptability. Whether one is immersed in productivity tasks or synchronized with their Apple ecosystem for entertainment on the go, it excels effortlessly. As a content consumption device, it’s unmatched, offering cinema-quality experiences right before your eyes. The Vision Pro isn’t merely a gadget; it represents a glimpse into the future of computing and entertainment, challenging perceptions of what’s possible. Hence, it’s not only the standout Apple product of the year for me; it symbolizes a future I can’t wait to embrace.
Ben Lovejoy, European Editor
While the Vision Pro is a contentious choice, the redesigned M4 Mac mini seems a more straightforward pick. As an upscale niche item, Apple’s spatial computer has relatively few native applications, and although I enjoyed my time with it, I wasn’t inclined to purchase one myself.
Even though those who splurged on it primarily use it for immersive movie watching, that experience can be achieved far more comfortably and affordably with a $440 monitor.
However, what matters regarding the Vision Pro isn’t its present form, but the future it promises for Apple. This represents Apple’s initial small step toward a future Apple Glasses product, which, when it arrives, may not only be the product of the year but potentially of the decade, as Apple reportedly hopes it may eventually replace the iPhone.
I may not fully agree with that assertion, but the emergence of Apple Intelligence renders the concept significantly more plausible. Perhaps I will reach for my Apple Glasses when needing to access an app, just like I currently do with my Viture glasses for watching YouTube.
Regardless, I’m truly excited about the future of this product category and firmly believe that Apple will excel in its execution. The journey to that future must begin now, and for that reason, Vision Pro deserves its title despite its evident niche standing today.
StrongChimp Bower, Graphics Editor
Some have suggested the Apple Vision Pro represents the “future of computing.” I might not fully agree, but I do hope it becomes available in the Apple Store for Veterans and Military personnel in the foreseeable future, ideally within my lifetime.
Benjamin Mayo, European Contributor
While some view it as a dead-end, I see the Vision Pro as a critical step in Apple’s journey. Those expecting it to shape culture in its first year had unrealistic expectations.
With a staggering price of $3,500 and various compromises such as weight and battery limitations, the ideal hardware is still in development. However, this initial device establishes a vision for a new product line that is destined for success in the not-too-distant future. It merely requires a few hardware refinements to realize its potential, while a longer-term ambition for augmented reality glasses simmers beyond.
With the Vision Pro, Apple aimed to create “a tool, not a toy” (as quoted by Apple VP Mike Rockwell) and made surprising strides toward that goal with its first version. Competitors have already begun altering their software to mimic the productivity and window management enhancements Apple achieved with its augmented reality approach.
StrongChimp Burkhardt, Weekend Editor
The Apple Vision Pro unequivocally deserves to be the product of the year. While its hardware might not represent the pinnacle of spatial computing, the software certainly does. visionOS has significantly influenced the mixed-reality market, prompting competitors like Meta to reassess their strategies. Apple’s software design was exceptionally well considered, and features like Mac Virtual Display (which received even more enhancements this year with Wide and Ultra Wide support) are simply the icing on the cake.
I eagerly anticipate the future of this product category. It will need to become smaller, lighter, and considerably more affordable before wide adoption can occur. However, Apple has laid a robust foundation with visionOS. For now, you can start capturing spatial photos and videos with your iPhone 15 Pro (or later) for future enjoyment on Vision devices.
The Vision Pro stands alone in the market, which is why it rightfully claims the title of product of the year. Many might suggest the Mac mini instead, but its appeal lies more in value than being a groundbreaking product. If the redesign had occurred separately from the increase to 16GB of RAM, the excitement surrounding it wouldn’t be as pronounced. The Vision Pro marks the arrival of a genuinely new Apple product since the HomePod in 2018—an extraordinary achievement on Apple’s part.
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