I think in some reactions, there's an element of "I can't justify this cost, so I want to convince myself I don't want it." I can't justify this early version, but at $1k I'd be quite happy to strap on the headset and cut myself off from the outside world in the evenings, or for some of my work.
I can absolutely see a future where many adults spend idle evenings with a headset instead of a TV or iPad.
Getting a bit triggered by all this "lonely adult" type language, some of us (maybe more than a few) are alone for "reasons", we might even have more cash because of that. There is no stigma/shame attached to living alone, at least I didn't really think there was. To catch this attitude, on hackernews of all places, is a bit inelegant imho.
I will grant you the cognitive dissonance though of Apple of all companies making the ultimate bachelor toy.
Do you really need to hug your kids or throw things at the dog whilst in the middle of a code flow or devops nightmare (or whatever focused work is your poison) ? Until some chick turns up and suddenly falls in love with me, maybe I can use that cash on this thing lol.
This does seem to be targeted at people being remote/isolated/alone; they probably could have saved some time and not bothered with those eyes and the virtual avatar stuff.
I'm married with a kid on the way and have a pretty good social life, seeing friends and family multiple times a week. When we aren't out, my wife and I regularly watch TV and movies together.
Based on the above, do you think I ever use screens by myself? As a programmer and a writer, would you claim that I have no use for a quiet, private workspace without distractions?
(It's crazy how many people are coming out of the woodwork to insist on this false dichotomy between being socially well-adjusted and having a use for a screen that can't be shared.)
I can absolutely see a future where many adults spend idle evenings with a headset instead of a TV or iPad.