Today, tech enthusiasts and their aides are reminiscent of the frenzy seen in 2007, as they queue up outside Apple Stores in anticipation of the long-awaited Vision Pro release.
The Vision Pro, now available in the US, has generated mixed early reviews but holds the potential to become the “iPhone moment” for wearable tech. However, Apple faces the challenge of convincing customers to invest $3.5k and embrace a look reminiscent of recently dilated eyes.
This product launch could be a pivotal moment for the tech industry. Despite efforts from companies like Meta and Samsung, augmented, virtual, and mixed-reality headsets have largely remained novelty gadgets for gamers. Apple aims to change this narrative by positioning the Vision Pro as an essential tool for both work and leisure, ushering in the era of “spatial computing” – working within a 3D virtual environment, akin to Tony Stark in his workshop.
Preorders suggest that Apple may have already sold around 180,000 headsets, with an expectation to reach a total of 400,000 units sold this year, translating to approximately $1.4 billion in sales.
When it comes to using the Vision Pro, it boasts 600 specialized apps but notably lacks compatibility with Meta, Netflix, Spotify, Google, and YouTube. Despite this, individuals who received early access had both praise and reservations:
Pros include the impressive 23-million-pixel visuals, immersive content, theater mode, and the novelty of navigating the screen with eye movements. Cons encompass issues with the virtual keyboard, the cumbersome battery pack, its single-user nature, potential limited productivity gains, and its size and weight, which surpass that of an 11-inch iPad Pro. After experiencing the Vision Pro, some reviewers found their traditional 2D devices feeling outdated.
