[prawn]

That's a good comparison. It strikes me as a visual differentiator as much as anything, which is a shallow purpose. I'd initially assumed that they'd have some grander plans for it, but I assume the lenticular aspect implies that it's not going to be used for any sort of display that isn't inset an inch or two? e.g., it can't show a ghostly reverse view of what someone is seeing, or a visible HUD, or a digital effect (imagine a security guard wearing this, and the display is showing a "scanning, scanning" effect - cool, not useful...).

And another confounding thing is that it might've been a pro feature you introduced after a base model, but if the eventual non-pro edition has a plastic front without Eyesight, and it's cheaper and lighter, most people will be happy about that.

Ultimately, I think they just decided that it was worth the trade-offs to instantly have a headset that looked different and more futuristic than each competitor. They had to make a splash.

[astrange]

It is used for some effects - it flashes when you take a photo, and it guides you through face scanning in initial setup.

[dharmab]

The flash could be a white LED.

Apple has some other devices which require another device for setup, so it wouldn't be unusual for them. They could also offer setup at an Apple store.

[astrange]

> Apple has some other devices which require another device for setup, so it wouldn't be unusual for them.

Hmm, I think that'd be pretty difficult because you can't guarantee the camera on another phone is good enough, unless you require everyone to have a phone from the last 1-2 years.

[dharmab]

You could display instructions on the phone and still use the depth camera on the device, which is presumably used for tracking anyway.

[pests]

Its not for you, its for everyone around you.

/Apple

[shermantanktop]

I put my MacBook down in front of me, ready to use it. But for me, the owner and user, the apple on the lid is upside-down.

I open the lid and look at the screen. Now the apple is right-side-up, for everyone else to look at.

I love MBPs but when I notice that it makes me think I’m secretly participating in a promotional video set in a coffeehouse full of hip people with loud sweaters and knee high boots.

[arcanemachiner]

I mean, it would look pretty dumb if the logo was upside down while the product was in use. Particularly to appease the person who can't even see the logo while they're using the product.

[pests]

Who cares how other people see it? This always messes me up to. I want to place it down with the logo correctly orientated for _me_, the owner of the device.

Like you said, once I flip it up and its wrong, I won't be able to see it as I'm using the product.

[throwaway11460]

I care. Used to have a ThinkPad and thought it's super dumb that's it's upside down all the time.

[pests]

Then you care more about how other's see you using a product than your own experience. That's fine.

[mathieuh]

Nevertheless that's how it used to be https://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/22/tech/gaming-gadgets/apple...

[shermantanktop]

If Apple can put fake eyes on the outside of a VR headset, they can probably put a magically rotating apple logo on the lid.