Apple's latest innovation, the Apple Vision Pro, promises to redefine how we interact with our favorite apps and digital workspace. As described on Apple's official website, this device offers an "infinite canvas" that radically changes our approach to using applications. Users can arrange their apps in any desired configuration and scale them to the perfect size. This flexibility enables the creation of a dream workspace that coexists with the user's physical environment. Features such as browsing with Safari, creating lists in Notes, and messaging through Messages are seamlessly integrated, allowing for efficient multitasking and navigation with just a glance.

 The Physical and Digital Blend

While the Apple Vision Pro allows users to stay connected with the digital world, it also ensures they remain anchored in reality. Its design lets users see through the lens to the world beyond, highlighting the blend of physical and digital interaction. This characteristic emphasizes the device's utility in keeping users present in their surroundings, a crucial aspect of its design philosophy.

Legal Considerations of Using Apple Vision Pro While Driving

The integration of Apple Vision Pro into daily life brings forward important legal considerations, especially when it comes to driving. At first glance, one might assume that New York's electronic device law, which prohibits operating a motor vehicle while using a "portable electronic device," would apply to the Apple Vision Pro. According to Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1225-d, such devices include anything used for communication or computing that is portable. However, the law specifies illegal use as "holding" the device for certain activities, a definition that doesn't apply to the Apple Vision Pro since it is worn rather than held.

Reckless Driving and Public Safety

Despite the initial analysis, drivers should be cautious. Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1212 defines reckless driving as behavior that endangers public highway users, a definition that driving with an Apple Vision Pro could potentially meet. This form of driving is not only dangerous but classified as a criminal offense, subjecting violators to possible probation or imprisonment, alongside fines and points on their driving record.

In New York City, engaging in what could be perceived as dangerous driving due to the distraction of the Apple Vision Pro might also violate Traffic Regulation NYCRR § 4-02(c). This regulation, alongside Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1146, mandates drivers to ensure the safety of all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and animals, emphasizing the responsibility to avoid accidents.

The Bottom Line: Safety and Legality

Using the Apple Vision Pro while driving in New York is both hazardous and illegal. The laws are clear in their intent to protect public safety and ensure that drivers are not distracted or hindered by electronic devices, wearable or otherwise. The innovative nature of the Apple Vision Pro introduces a new paradigm in how we engage with technology, but it also underscores the importance of using such devices responsibly, especially when it comes to activities like driving, where attention and awareness are paramount.

It will be interesting to see how NY along with other states adapts its laws as new devices hit the market.