If you host most of your immersive meetings and collaboration sessions using Zoom, the Apple Vision Pro headset may have become much more attractive to your organization. When I first reviewed the Vision Pro, I noticed that the variety of apps available was a bit lacking.
Fortunately, that is starting to change. Apple is working tirelessly with developers to create immersive apps that make the most of your device’s spatial computing capabilities. Unlike most XR headset vendors, Apple seems to focus primarily on the needs of business users.
That means that in addition to producing entertainment apps, Zoom is also creating unique experiences for healthcare professionals and immersive collaboration. The Zoom app for Apple Vision Pro, which began rolling out in February 2024, is a great idea of how headphones could become a valuable tool for the future of work. Unfortunately, it also has its disadvantages.
Here’s a closer look at the pros and cons of Zoom on the Apple Vision Pro headphones.
What is the Zoom Apple Vision Pro app?
The Zoom Apple Vision Pro app, first announced in January 2024, represents one of the first conferencing and productivity-focused apps designed for VisionOS, Apple’s proprietary operating system. Instead of simply porting a version of Zoom to Apple’s app market, Zoom designed a new “space experience” from the ground up.
According to Zoom, the experience seamlessly blends video conferencing capabilities with the user’s physical space, providing a true “spatial computing” meeting experience. He blurs the line between in-person and remote meetings with an infinite canvas and a variety of unique features.
Zoom was already available to access from the Apple App Store when the device hit shelves on February 2, 2024. However, the features available at launch were just a fraction of what Zoom has to offer. At launch, some of the key features you could only access with the Zoom Apple Vision Pro app included:
- People: Customizable spatial representations of humans created specifically for Apple Vision Pro, similar to the Personas you can use for Facetime. Persona’s avatar system has been slightly updated since launch, with more customization options.
- Space video: Zoom on Apple Vision Pro is designed to create an “immersive” meeting experience that can be scaled to fit your environment. Zoom says it can make you feel like you’re in the same room as your clients and colleagues in an instant.
The evolution of Zoom’s relationship with Apple
This isn’t the first time Zoom has worked closely with Apple on unique collaboration experiences. Previously, Zoom created a version of its app for Apple CarPlay, which allows users to host mobile meetings on the go by connecting to the CarPlay interface in their vehicle.
The video conferencing giant also has an app for Apple TV, which allows users to connect to video conferences with the “Community Camera” feature and instantly share screens. You can even connect with team members via Zoom Rooms, Mac and Windows computers, phones, tablets, and more.
However, in my opinion, the Zoom Apple Vision Pro app is one of the most interesting developments from the provider. It highlights Zoom’s focus on competing with companies like Microsoft in the immersive collaboration space. After all, Microsoft already has its own XR experiences, like Microsoft Mesh and Microsoft Teams Immersive Spaces.
Zoom even plans to continually update its Apple Vision Pro experience. Over the coming months, users will be able to access new capabilities such as:
Share 3D objects
RT3D object sharing is quickly becoming an essential part of the enhanced extended reality workplace. In some industries in particular, such as the media and design sectors, the ability to share realistic 3D files can be essential.
While you can always share files on a standard screen or computer, Zoom believes the addition of mixed reality and spatial computing will improve the experience. With your Zoom Apple Vision Pro app, you’ll be able to view 3D representations of the objects you share in the context of any environment and collaborate on development with your team.
Team Chat Zoom Apple Vision Pro
More than just a video conferencing platform, Zoom has proven to be a comprehensive solution for all types of collaborative work in recent years. This is particularly evident now that Zoom has introduced its new range of “Workplace” plans, unifying several tools into a single subscription.
The company has even worked with Meta in the past to integrate XR productivity tools into Facebook Workrooms. With Zoom Chat for Apple Vision Pro, users will be able to access a separate floating screen in their mixed reality environment, where they can share files and messages during conversations.
Real-world fixation
The addition of real-world fixation to the Zoom Apple Vision Pro app is probably one of the most interesting updates for companies looking to optimize hybrid work. With this feature, users can “pin” up to five participants to Zoom Meetings anywhere in their physical space.
They can even remove the background of a person when they are locked on, making it appear as if they are present in the physical space. In my opinion, this feature helps make the experience of collaborating in extended reality feel more natural and realistic.
Problems with the Zoom Apple Vision Pro app
After experimenting with the Apple Vision Pro and its available apps for a couple of months, I’d say the overall experience is pretty impressive. Many app experiences are fantastic, offering deep immersion and unique spatial computing experiences that I haven’t seen anywhere else.
However, there are parts of the Apple Vision Pro that still face teething problems. People, one of the main features of the Zoom Apple Vision Pro app, are still quite problematic. When Vision Pro was first released, users were not impressed with the Persona feature.
Most said the virtual avatars created by Vision OS were strange, strange, and even downright creepy. You may have even seen some memes that directly ridicule Apple avatars.
Fortunately, Apple introduced an improved “Persona Beta” solution in version 1.1 of its operating system in April 2024. This has improved the experience to some extent, but many users still have trouble creating a “realistic” digital image. themselves.
Notably, the Persona issue is not just an issue with the Zoom Apple Vision Pro app. Users need to leverage Personas in various workplace tools, from Webex to Microsoft Teams to Apple FaceTime. If the Vision Pro becomes the ultimate “workplace” headset, Apple will need to quickly fix its avatar problem.
How to use the Zoom Apple Vision Pro app
If you can get past the uncanny valley issues that still cause issues with People in Zoom’s Pro app, I think the overall experience is still great. You can enjoy a more unique and immersive meeting experience in the metaverse with Zoom. Just don’t expect the same “face-to-face” experience when using People to replace it during virtual conferences.
If you want to experience the experience yourself, you’ll need a Zoom account and (of course), an Apple Vision Pro headset. While I would recommend choosing a paid Zoom account to have full access to all of its latest AI tools and capabilities on computers desktop and mobile devices, you can use the free app on your Apple Vision Pro.
Setting up your Zoom experience
Once you have an account, all you need to do is:
- Download the Zoom app: Visit the Apple App Store to get the Vision Pro headphones and search for Zoom. Alternatively, click this link to go directly to the Zoom Workplace page.
- Create your Persona: Before starting the Zoom Apple Vision Pro app, you will need a person. To create one, turn on your Apple headphones, go to the Settings page, and tap Persona. Tap Get Started and Apple will guide you through the process of capturing the images needed to create your virtual avatar.
- Optimize your Persona: I recommend taking extra time to ensure you generate an accurate Persona. Make sure there is plenty of natural light in the room and nothing is covering your face. Choose a simple background with no distracting nearby objects and avoid turning your head too quickly.
- Customize your Persona: Then put your headphones back on and you’ll see your Persona. You can choose between different lighting options, adjust the temperature and brightness, and even add glasses to your virtual avatar. Alternatively, you can start over.
- Start Zoom: Go to the apps section of Apple Vision Pro and select Zoom. The process of setting up and launching the app is similar to Zoom on any other device. You’ll get the same Zoom interface and be able to navigate through the platform using your hands and eyes. You can even tap your fingers to launch your calendar and see upcoming Zoom meetings.
Is the Zoom Apple Vision Pro app worth using?
In my opinion, there are a lot of things to love about the Zoom Apple Vision Pro app. There’s a reason it’s the second most popular app in the Vision Pro app store right now (behind Indeed). Although the experience is a little different than using Zoom on your desktop or smartphone, it’s still great for immersive collaboration.
The ability to share animations and 3D models and work on them with colleagues in real time is incredible. The fact that you can pin people to specific locations in your real-world environment makes everything feel more immersive. Plus, you can easily share files and screens, just like you would in a standard Zoom meeting.
The biggest problem, overall, remains Apple’s Persona feature. Although it’s getting better, virtual avatars don’t seem to perfectly capture your appearance as well as they should. Still, if you’re looking for a next-level XR collaboration experience, I recommend giving the Zoom app a try.
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