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Apple finally hits a VR home run

Macworld Ive never had a desire to buy a Vision Pro . Even if I had $4,000 to blow at the Apple Store, Id probably pick up a loaded MacBook Pro or a Mac mini with a Studio Display XDR instead of Apples cutting-edge handset. But Friday Night Baseball in Apple Immersive changed my perspective. The first-ever broadcast of a live Major League Baseball game with 3D video recorded in 8K with a 180-degree field of view, watching the Red Sox-Yankees game on the Vision Pro was almost as breathtaking as being at Yankee Stadium. Even if I was able to take screenshots of the experience, it wouldnt have done it justice. Its literally the kind of thing you need to see to believe. Most of the time I was watching the game from just beside the dugout of the team that was batting. I could turn to see the on-deck batter warming up, watch the pitch come in, and see the whole park in front of me. As usual for Apples Friday Night Baseball, the picture quality was outstanding, from the on-field action to the footprints and sunflower seeds in the dirt below my view. Ive visitied many baseball stadiums and sat in all kinds of seats, but nothing compared to the immersive view Apple provided. You can get a sense of it in the post below, but a flat image doesnt really do it justice. While the camera put me inside the stadium, the broadcast still let me know that I was watching Apple TV. Paul Severino and Xavier Scruggs were the dedicated announcers (different from the ones on the Apple TV broadcast), and they often reminded viewers that they were witnessing something special. If I looked up, I could watch the flat Apple TV broadcast and see relevant stats. Live immersive MLB on Apple Vision Pro. It felt like I was at Yankee Stadium. The whole experience was incredible. Shot through the lens with iPhone since it cant be recorded on headset. pic.twitter.com/oF1J9tBTd8 Justin Ryan (@justinryanio) August 29, 2026 There were a few replays that were particularly impressive, including Ben Rices first-inning double that made it feel like I was practically playing left field. I was so close to the action that I could hear muffled chatter in the dugout and see sunflowseeds spit in my direction. Between innings was particularly magical. There were no commercials, so the view stayed in the stadium, with the camera shifting to the broadcast booth above home plate numerous times to get an expansive overhead view of the whole field. And when David Bednar came in to close the ninth inning, the camera view shifted to center field so I could see his full bullpen entrance and watch him jog to the pitchers mound while his walkout song, Styxs Renegade, played in the stadium. It was so enthralling, I wanted a way to mute the broadcast to soak in the sounds of the stadium. It wasnt so much that the announcers were bad (though Apple TV has never been known for its broadcast crew), but the Spatial Audio microphones were so clear that the ambiance of the ballpark was enough. Unfortunately, the game ended 1-0, so there wasnt a ton of action other than a solo home run, but one particular play stands out as a showcase for what the immersive broadcast brings. In the top of the 7th inning, the Red Sox loaded the bases with one out, so I strapped on my Vision Pro to watch the rest of the inning. It only took two pitches to end the Red Sox threat. Wilson Contreras hit a fly ball to left field that was caught by Cody Bellinger, who fired the ball home to get a tagging-up Ceddanne Rafaela and end the inning. Watching the play unfold and turning to watch the throw reach home was incredible and and better than any TV boardcast Ive ever watched. A near homerun As we wrote in our review, Vision Pro is a pretty heavy device, so keeping it strapped on for two-plus hours isnt ideal. I dont have the Dual Knit Band, so that might help, but as it was, I watched the game in spurts. I took it off after the first three innings and then returned to it whenever there was a runner in scoring position. Theres also the issue of eye strain. I have prescription lenses for the Vision Pro, which could exasberate the issue, but my eyes quicky get tired when using Vision Pro. This was compounded by the sheer immersiveness of the picture that didnt give my eyes and time to rest. But Im already looking forward to the next game on Friday between the LA Angels and Pittsburgh Pirates. Its a shame Vision Pro is so expensive, because every baseball fan should get to experience it. Maybe Apple can sell Vision Pro tickets next season and start sell hot dogs at the Apple Store.

31 Aug 2026 4:45 pm