Introduction to VisionOS 26
For several months, the author’s Slack avatar was a screenshot of their incredibly cursed Vision Pro persona. The virtual avatar’s head was cocked back, cackling into the pixelated void, with hair that was one solid unmoving block. Although it wasn’t the best representation, it was also not the worst, as everyone else’s Persona looked just as bad, and it was somewhat amusing. However, when Apple announced that visionOS 26 had improved the system’s floating avatars at the WWDC keynote, the author was skeptical.
Creating a New Persona
The process of making Personas hasn’t changed, but the end result is vastly improved. The author had the opportunity to create a new Persona and was impressed with the outcome. Hair now looks more like hair, with visible eyelashes and skin texture. Even the author’s nose contour makeup was captured accurately. Although the system is not perfect, with some microexpressions feeling stiff and the bottom half of the face being more expressive than the top, the overall result is a significant improvement.
Improved Features
Side profiles have also been improved, which was noticeable in a FaceTime call with a fellow Vision Pro owner. Previously, turning one’s head to the side could result in a flattened appearance, similar to a character from a PlayStation 2 era video game. However, with the new system, side profiles look more natural. Additionally, it’s now easier to tweak one’s Persona, with options to customize lighting, skin tone, and eyewear.
A More Accurate Representation
For the author, the most significant improvement is the ability to accurately capture their facial features, particularly their monolids. As someone who is Asian, the author has experienced the frustration of having their monolids poorly rendered in AI-generated images. This can be hurtful, as monolids are often subject to traditional Western and Eastern beauty standards. However, with the new Persona system, the author’s virtual self actually looks like them, which is a significant step forward.
Capturing Expressions
The author also noticed that the new Persona system is better at capturing a variety of expressions. While the average person may not make goofy faces or contort their face, the system can handle these expressions with ease. The author was impressed by how well the system captured their facial gymnastics, although their friend’s mustache still looked a bit odd in motion.
Other Improvements
In addition to the improved Persona system, the author also experienced other demos, including a virtual trip to a moon of Jupiter and improved spatial videos taken on action cams. Apple is still convinced that people want better spatial photos, but the author was more impressed by the widgets. Initially, they were skeptical about the idea of a virtual wall clock, but after experiencing a demo, they can see the appeal of a permanent-but-editable wall panel where they can hang digital album art, a Reminders app interface, and maybe recreate their own smart home control hub.
Conclusion
Overall, the author is impressed with the improvements made to the Persona system in visionOS 26. The ability to accurately capture facial features, particularly for people from diverse backgrounds, is a significant step forward. While there are still some areas for improvement, the author believes that the new system is a major improvement over the previous one. With its improved features and ability to capture a variety of expressions, the author is excited to see how the Persona system will continue to evolve in the future.
