u/RandomVision2027

The recent Apple leak for model "N109" has triggered speculation that a new Apple Vision headset might be coming. I've pulled together some posts over the years that reference N109, rumors of a black Apple Vision headset, and the observation that the big Apple Event will probably happen in the middle of the MLB Apple Immersive Video series.

https://www.toddheberlein.com/blog/2026/8/18/a-new-apple-vision-headset

I had lost access to the immersive NBA games I had previously watched (in both Apple TV and the NBA app). At some point I discovered I needed to log back into the NBA app... actually reset my password since Passwords didn't have it.

After that, I was able to catch the games again.

If you have lost access to the NBA Apple Immersive Videos, you might want to check your login status in the NBA app (Note: I have the free access level)

Apple has been emphasizing the enterprise/medical use cases for the Apple Vision Pro. Link below is an article comparing 32 surgeries, 16 using traditional technique an 16 with AVP. Briefly:

Operative time was about 19% shorter with the AVP.

Surgeons reported improved comfort and a more neutral head and neck posture with AVP.

All five surgeons favored the AVP.

Given the weight of the AVP, I was surprised that surgeons described using the AVP as more comfortable... until I saw the photos. Without the AVP, they had their necks turned hard to the side (see images).

Source:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950253526000651

With visionOS 27, Apple is making website environments in Safari on by default. A few comments:

The good 1: I finally got my website environments working in visionOS 27.

The good 2: You now need to add controls to your website to enable and disable the website environment. While this removes a standard way to enable/disable the environment, it can make it more discoverable for the user.

The bad 1: in visionOS 27, we just needed to add 1 line to an HTML file pointing to the USDZ file. In visionOS 27, I needed to add about 100 lines of JavaScript code (much of it to handle potential errors).

The bad 2: If you place your USDZ files in Amazon S3 as I do, you need to enable additional permissions on S3 that you did not have to do with when visionOS 26 just needed the one line in the head section.

The ugly: visionOS 27 pretty much destroys unlit textures, especially when used on something like a Sky Sphere.

PBR materials look fine (see the TIE fighters - perfectly clear).

Feedback has been filed. FB23070448

Attached are two images showing the difference between visionOS 26 and 27.