Bezel – Spatial Phone Mirroring is an intriguing application designed for the Apple Vision Pro, offering users a sharp and readable mirror of their iPhone and iPad screens within the Vision Pro. This utility targets the challenge of fuzzy text visibility caused by the pass-through display of the Vision Pro, aiming to provide a crystal-clear viewing experience of your mobile device screen. The application is developed by Nonstrict B.V. and is available for purchase at a price of $5. The mirroring functionality requires the installation of the free Bezel iOS app from the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.
The application is touted as beneficial for a variety of users. For instance, it is remarkably useful for developers and editors who need to preview the content they are working on, allowing them to position the iPhone displaying their work next to their editor within the Vision Pro. Moreover, the app’s ability to share this digital mirror during a FaceTime call enhances its utility for remote communications and demonstrations.
Customer reviews of Bezel highlight both its strengths and areas needing improvement. While some users appreciate its functionality, many others point out several limitations. One common issue is the absence of audio streaming, necessitating a separate connection of Bluetooth headphones directly to the iPad or iPhone for sound. Additionally, users report that even with a robust internet connection, the frame rate can be somewhat choppy, disrupting smooth navigation, particularly when using peripherals such as mice. The screen resizing feature is also noted to be somewhat cumbersome, where locating the corner to resize might be tricky without enabling certain features on the Vision Pro.
Regarding screen orientation, there seem to be discrepancies especially on the iPad, where the mirrored screen might not align correctly based on the iPad’s orientation. This misalignment often results in incomplete visibility of the screen corners, compelling users to frequently switch their iPad’s orientation to get a full view.
A significant concern raised in the reviews is the frequent disconnection when the phone locks automatically. This interruption necessitates manually restarting the mirroring session from the iPhone, which can be quite inconvenient, particularly for users relying on the app for quick checks or notifications while using the Vision Pro. Some users have also mentioned the lack of interactive ability with the mirrored screen, thus limiting the app’s utility to mere passive viewing.
Despite these concerns, there are users who have shared positive experiences. For instance, one user found Bezel helpful for monitoring a baby, although the connection drop when looking away for a moment posed a challenge. Another user noted that the performance seemed fine on a low-end Wi-Fi network, suggesting that network quality plays a crucial role in the app’s performance. The fact that the app worked well for some, without experiencing common issues, could imply that recent updates and fixes have addressed some of the problems highlighted in earlier reviews.
Moreover, there’s an appreciation for the concept behind the app, with users calling for more features. Suggestions include having the phone’s bezel removed for a seamless floating screen effect, or incorporating hand tracking to make the virtual phone move in sync with the user’s hand movements, thus enhancing the immersive experience of the Vision Pro.
Bezel – Spatial Phone Mirroring is a promising app with a clear intention to enhance the usability of Apple Vision Pro by providing a clear, readable mirror of iPhone and iPad screens. However, the app is not without its challenges, especially concerning connectivity stability, screen orientation issues, and the lack of interactive features. Despite its current limitations, the developer’s effort is recognized, with many users hopeful for future updates that may address these issues and potentially expand the app’s capabilities. For now, Bezel remains a specialized tool offering value in specific scenarios while leaving room for improvement to fully meet user expectations.
