Apple is rumored to be working on a second generation of the Apple Vision Pro, with two variants – a premium upgrade and a more affordable model. This is likely due to the original device’s high price tag, which has hindered mass adoption. The cheaper model could see significant cost reductions through downgraded components and a tethered design, potentially making the technology accessible to a wider audience.
A first-hand account of a day spent with Apple’s groundbreaking Vision Pro, exploring its immersive features, intuitive interface, and the potential it holds for the future of technology. From FaceTime calls with avatars to gaming in life-sized environments, the Vision Pro blurs the line between the physical and digital worlds.
Apple has announced that WebXR support will be available in visionOS 2, allowing users to experience VR games through the Safari browser. Developers can leverage existing WebXR frameworks and resources to create immersive VR experiences on the Vision Pro.
Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) showcased the company’s commitment to artificial intelligence (AI) and user experience enhancements. Apple Intelligence, a suite of innovative AI features, was unveiled, offering personalized experiences tailored to individual preferences. The integration of advanced AI into Siri, the company’s digital assistant, promises greater functionality and enhanced user interaction. iOS 18 brings increased customization options, while MacOS Sequoia introduces iPhone Mirroring for seamless device integration. iPadOS 18 focuses on user-friendliness, and WatchOS 11 prioritizes health and fitness tracking with new apps and features. Apple’s dedication to security is evident in the introduction of a Password App, and Tap to Cash simplifies mobile payments. AirPods gain smarter controls and improved audio, while Apple TV enhances accessibility and viewing experience. Vision Pro’s advancements in mixed reality further demonstrate Apple’s commitment to innovation.
Apple is reportedly training staff at international Apple Stores on how to showcase the Vision Pro headset, indicating an imminent overseas launch. The training sessions, held at Cupertino, California, reportedly focus on providing staff with an overview of the device and guidance on demonstrating it to customers. Sources suggest that the Vision Pro will go on sale in stores outside the U.S. following Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference next month, with Germany, France, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and China being among the first markets to receive it.
Apple Inc.’s (AAPL) Vision Pro, a mixed reality headset, has caught the attention of CNBC’s Jim Cramer, who believes the product has the potential to revolutionize the industrial sector. Cramer suggests that the Vision Pro, currently marketed as a consumer device, could be repositioned as an enterprise product, particularly valuable with its digital twin technology that enables users to simulate potential changes before implementation.
Despite a recent report that Apple is reducing its Vision Pro shipment forecast due to a decrease in demand, Cramer remains bullish on the product. He highlights Apple’s success in selling 400,000 units of the $3,500 headset as an indicator of its potential.
Apple has slashed production estimates for its Vision Pro headset to 400,000-450,000 units, citing weak demand in the US. Sony’s PSVR2 has also faced production halts due to unsold inventory. Experts question the viability of expensive virtual reality headsets like the Vision Pro, priced at $3500. Apple has reportedly abandoned plans for a more affordable Vision Pro model in 2025. Despite strong initial sales, Meta Quest has struggled to retain user engagement, while offering significant discounts on the Quest 2 has boosted sales.
Apple’s highly anticipated Vision Pro headset has failed to live up to expectations, with sales falling short and the company slashing its 2024 sales targets by nearly half. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo attributes the decline to a lack of demand in non-US markets and reduced shipments of 400,000-450,000 units, significantly lower than the market consensus of 700,000-800,000 units. Kuo further predicts a decline in headset shipments in 2025. Despite the initial hype, consumers are finding the $3,500 headset to be imperfect, uncomfortable, and lacking in essential applications. Apple is said to be reviewing its product roadmap and may not release a new version until after 2025.
Apple has significantly reduced its Vision Pro shipment estimates, with analyst Ming-Chi Kuo attributing the decline to a sharp drop in demand within the United States. Consequently, Apple has reassessed its headset business strategy and may delay the release of a second-generation Vision Pro in 2025.
Unveiled in 2023, the Apple Vision Pro is the company’s highly anticipated mixed-reality headset that combines augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Priced at a premium $3,499, the Vision Pro boasts advanced features such as eye and hand tracking, an external battery pack, and a powerful R1 chip that minimizes lag. Its unique design, which resembles ski goggles, features an external screen that displays your eyes to others, making social interactions more natural. The Vision Pro runs on a specialized VisionOS operating system, tailored for spatial computing and providing access to popular Apple apps and services. Boasting immersive video playback, users can enjoy 3D movies and stream content from various platforms. It also functions as a 4K external monitor, mirroring a Mac’s display for enhanced productivity. FaceTime on the Vision Pro allows for videoconferencing with life-sized tiles and spatial audio, while hand tracking enables users to navigate and control the device with intuitive gestures. The headset is available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options, and comes with a Dual Loop Band, battery pack, and various accessories.
