Apple’s much-anticipated Vision Pro, set to revolutionize the tech industry with its promise of ‘spatial computing’ perfected, has sparked a wave of excitement since pre-orders opened in early January. However, as the launch date approaches, it’s worth taking a closer look at Apple’s history with 3D technology, which has been far from flawless.
Despite being the first product in Apple’s nearly 50-year history explicitly reliant on real-time 3D graphics, the Vision Pro is not the company’s initial foray into this realm. In fact, it represents the latest chapter in a saga marked by indifference, abandoned standards, and failed products.
Even back in 1979, the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator demonstrated the potential for 3D software on the Apple ][, albeit with wireframes. The early Macintosh computers, while equipped with a 3D ‘bouncing ball’ demo, lacked substantial real-time 3D capabilities. The limited 2D support in the Toolbox API necessitated complex assembly language programming skills to create 3D graphics on a Mac.
Despite these challenges, early Macintosh applications like Virtus Walkthrough and Spectre paved the way for the integration of the graphical user interface and 3D interactivity. Virtus Walkthrough, a previsualization tool for James Cameron’s The Abyss, generated detailed architectural walkthroughs, albeit at a modest five frames per second on a Macintosh IIci. Meanwhile, Spectre offered a Battlezone-like tank game, leveraging Apple’s plug-and-play AppleTalk for network battles.
While these early endeavors hinted at the potential for 3D technology in computer games, they ultimately fell short of making a significant impact. Apple’s journey into the realm of 3D has been fraught with challenges and missed opportunities, raising questions about the company’s ability to deliver on the ambitious promises of the Vision Pro.
As the tech world eagerly awaits the arrival of the Vision Pro, the spotlight is not only on the product itself but also on Apple’s track record in the 3D space. Will the Vision Pro mark a turning point in Apple’s 3D endeavors, or will it be another chapter in the company’s history of unfulfilled 3D potential?
