Apple Vision Pro to Feature 'Travel Mode' for Better In-Flight Experience

Apple has an intriguing hidden feature for its Apple Vision Pro spatial computer in the first developer beta of visionOS. The feature, termed "Travel Mode," is specifically aimed at enhancing the user experience while on board an airplane.

apple vision pro airplane
Given that the cabin of an airplane with its enclosed space and unique environmental factors can be challenging for VR devices, Travel Mode seems to be Apple's solution for ensuring a smoother experience.

Travel Mode: The Breakdown

Within the first developer beta for visionOS, we've discovered several text strings which shed light on the functionality of this new feature. The key prompts include:

  • Are you on an airplane?
  • If you're on an airplane, you'll need to keep Travel Mode on to continue using your ‌Apple Vision Pro‌.
  • Remain stationary in Travel Mode.
  • Remain stationary while this mode turns off.
  • Some awareness features will be off.
  • The current fit may reduce gaze accuracy.
  • Turn on Travel Mode when you're on an airplane to continue using your ‌Apple Vision Pro‌.
  • Your representation is unavailable while Travel Mode is on.

From these text strings, it is apparent that Travel Mode is designed to adapt the functionality of ‌Apple Vision Pro‌ for the specific constraints of an airplane cabin.

Disabled Awareness Features

One of the text strings indicates that "some awareness features will be off." This suggests that certain sensors and features which depend on spatial awareness might be turned off or scaled down. In an airplane, the proximity to other passengers and limited space could potentially cause these features to behave erratically or inaccurately. By disabling or limiting them, Travel Mode may help ensure that the user does not have an unpleasant or disrupted VR experience.

Digital Personas Unavailable

The phrase "Your representation is unavailable while Travel Mode is on" implies that Digital Personas might not be available in this mode. The exact reason is not clear, but it might be connected to the constrained space and the disabled awareness features, which might affect the accuracy and representation of avatars.

Gaze Accuracy Reduction

The text also mentions that "The current fit may reduce gaze accuracy." This could mean that due to the position you might take when seated in an airplane, the headset might not sit as precisely as usual, affecting gaze tracking. However, Travel Mode seems to acknowledge this and potentially makes adjustments to compensate for it.

Staying Stationary

Another interesting prompt is "Remain stationary in Travel Mode." This might be a safety measure to ensure that users do not inadvertently move around or make large gestures while on a plane, which could be dangerous or disturbing to fellow passengers.

Wrap-Up

Apple's Travel Mode for the ‌Apple Vision Pro‌ is an example of thoughtful innovation, adapting the device to work efficiently in different environments. This feature demonstrates Apple's attention to detail and commitment to ensuring a seamless experience for its users regardless of the circumstances.

As Travel Mode is still in beta, we expect further refinements and potentially more features before it's rolled out to the general public. Stay tuned for more updates as we keep an eye on the evolution of ‌Apple Vision Pro‌'s Travel Mode.

Related Roundups: Apple Vision Pro, visionOS 2
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

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Top Rated Comments

Apple Fan 2008 Avatar
27 months ago

Absolutely dreading the day I end up sitting next to some walloping ******** wearing one of these headsets next to me on a plane waving their arms about and invading my personal space.
That’s why Apple uses eye tracking instead of arms
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NT1440 Avatar
27 months ago

Social shunning shut down Google Glass. Hopefully we can do the same with this.
Sure it’ll look goofy, but what’s the difference between someone sitting quietly enjoying the device vs someone with a sleep mask on a flight?

Maybe let’s just not be jerks?
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ItchyRat2160 Avatar
27 months ago
Absolutely dreading the day I end up sitting next to some walloping ******** wearing one of these headsets next to me on a plane waving their arms about and invading my personal space.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
27 months ago
Just hope your flight is less than 2 hours
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
notabadname Avatar
27 months ago
Having sat, with kids, on an aircraft, while someone watches “Kill Bill” or a brutal rape scene from ”Game of Thrones” in the seat next to us on a 15 inch laptop . . . I’m liking the ”Vision Pro” version of inflight-entertainment.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zombitronic Avatar
27 months ago

I don't need to. AirPods Max is $549 and has 20 hours of battery life and are comfy. My iPad Pro M1 12.9" was $1349 and has 5G capabilities with a 10-12 hour battery life.

The VisionPro has a 2 hour battery pack and is basically a scuba mask.

I don't care about 4K, HDR, or whatever buzzword nerds are jerking off to these days.

And I definitely know I do no want to wear my laptop on my face, regardless of how over engineered it is.

So, for $1900 bucks, or a little over half the cost of the VPScuba, I can have the same experience with a better battery life and a much more convenient and comfortable experience.

I don't have to whack my dick with a hammer to know I would not enjoy it.
I don't fault you for your preferences, but in no way will you "have the same experience" with AirPods and an iPad. You own an iPad? You "can have the same experience" on your iPhone - is false. You can do the same things, but you have an iPad because you must prefer the overall experience of an iPad vs. an iPhone for some tasks.

The Vision Pro is familiar tech packaged in a new UX (experience). Some people will value and pay for this experience; others will not. The 4K, HDR, buzzwords, etc. are great features. But it's the experience that people are going on about, not the tech specs.

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)