Steve Jobs on Virtual Reality (D3, 2005)

Milan Lajtoš
3 HN recommenders · recommended in 3 months, 2023–2026
YouTube
133K views · 5 years ago · interview · historical

A clip of Steve Jobs on stage at the D3 conference in 2005, answering a question about virtual reality. He compares a video headset to headphones, as something personal and not shared.

HN people bring it back whenever a new headset appears, as Jobs's 2005 case that VR gear would need to be as light and personal as headphones.

“Steve Jobs said it best (also his opinion of the current Vision Pro at the very end)”
Spatial, VR & AR interfacesIndustrial design
#stevejobs#virtualreality#headphones#d3conference#visionpro

6 comments from Hacker News

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@Geee2025 · in “Apple's Liquid Glass is prep work for AR interfaces, not just a design refresh”
VR / AR will definitely replace desktop / stationary computers, but they need to be as lightweight as headphones. Steve Jobs said it best (also his opinion of the current Vision Pro at the very end): ▶ this video
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o
@owenpalmer2024 · in “Steve Jobs on Virtual Reality (2005) [video]”
Submitted the video to Hacker News.
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C
@CharlesW2023 · in “Steve Jobs: “There's no such thing as headphones for video””
Submitted the video to Hacker News.
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J
@JeremyHerrman2026 · in “Ask HN: Is anyone working at least 4 hours daily on an Apple Vision Pro?”
I think of the AVP like Steve Jobs once described: headphones for video [0] I use it a few hours a day, a few times a week exclusively as a virtual display for my macbook. Being able to put a huge virtual monitor anywhere is the killer feature and I don't tend to use it for anything else. It's indispensable on flights where laptop lids can't even fully open. Apple got the interactions just about perfect for AR window management, etc. Of course the main drawbacks are the weight, size, and overall embarrassment from having a giant face computer strapped to your head. I don't find it very comfortable for more than a couple hours at time, at least with the solo knit band + the belkin head strap. I'd like to get a dual knit band at some point. But when this sort of hardware gets miniaturized I think many people will prefer it to hunching over a laptop screen. Just like headphones, wearing glasses while typing at a black screen could signal "Do not disturb, I'm working here" [0] Steve Jobs on Virtual Reality (D3, 2005) ▶ this video
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@al_borland2024 · in “YouTube and Spotify won't launch Apple Vision Pro apps, joining Netflix”
▶ this video Seems like Walt Mossberg made the girl comment in this video where Jobs is talking about headphones for video. Mossberg also made fun of Dell’s large phone, saying it was like holding a waffle up to your head, and the market proved him wrong there. These devices, in their current form, aren’t something to wear while walking around town, like someone might do with headphones.
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@neillyons2023 · in “Mark Zuckerberg on Apple’s Vision Pro headset”
I don't think the experience needs to be shared. Steve Jobs was making a comparison to headphones ▶ this video That is the way I think of it. A pair of headphones for your eyes.
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