Have anxiety or ADHD? It might not be a good idea to use Apple’s upcoming mixed reality headset.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is set to issue multiple usage warnings for folks with a range of health issues including inner ear infections, ADHD/ADD, and anxiety, among many others.
As Gurman tweeted, Apple is discussing notifying potential customers that they should not buy or use the AR/VR headset if they have “a pacemaker, epilepsy, blackouts/seizures, or are pregnant.” The company is also set to advise against buying the device if customers have “Meniere’s disease, past traumatic brain injuries, post-concussion syndrome, migraines.”
Meniere’s disease is a disorder caused by the buildup of fluid in the chambers of the inner ear and causes symptoms such as vertigo, nausea, vomiting, loss of balance and hearing, and ringing in the ears.
As Gurman notes in a further tweet, the health warnings “are pretty standard (or should be standard amongst all headsets,” and pointed to Apple “typically” being “the most cautious and proactive when it comes to user safety.”
Even the iPhone carries a health warning, with Apple urging users to consult a physician prior to using it if they have “any medical condition or experience symptoms that you believe could be affected by iPhone or flashing lights (for example, seizures, blackouts, eyestrain, or headaches).”
Meta also carries similar health warnings for its AR/VR headsets, the Meta Quest Pro and the Meta Quest 2.
The Meta Quest 2 for example includes advice that users should “consult with your doctor before using the headset if you are pregnant, elderly, have pre-existing binocular vision abnormalities or psychiatric disorders, or suffer from a heart condition or other serious medical condition.”
Meanwhile, the Meta Quest Pro also includes advice to “consult with your doctor before using your VR System if you are pregnant, elderly, have pre-existing binocular vision abnormalities or psychiatric disorders, have recently undergone any medical procedure (including cosmetic procedures), or suffer from a heart condition or other serious medical condition.”
PCMag's Brian Westover will be at the headset's official unveiling at WWDC on Monday; check back for a review on whether any of these health warnings prove necessary.
