Apple’s Vision Pro, which was unveiled at WWDC last year and released to the public earlier this year, has been the talk of the town when it comes to AR/VR gadgets. The device is easily among Apple’s most anticipated product launches in years and has garnered widespread praise for its cutting-edge technologies, especially its dual 4K Micro-OLED displays. However, the device’s outrageously high price – more than 7 times more expensive than the Meta Quest 3 (currently $499 on Amazon) – and its discomfort during prolonged use have been criticized by both critics and the general public.
According to Mark Gurman’s recent newsletter at PowerOne, consumer interest in the Vision Pro appears to be waning, as indicated by plummeting demand for demos in Apple stores. He claims this is consistent with broader trends in the AR/VR industry, which has consistently failed to maintain consumer enthusiasm beyond the initial launch hype. According to Gurman, there is usually a peak of interest at the launch, which eventually disappears as the “surprise factor” diminishes.
Gurman also mentions his personal experience with the Vision Pro, saying that although he initially used the device daily, he now only uses it a few times a week. This decline, according to him, can be attributed to how uncomfortable it is to use the device, especially when compared to laptops or traditional televisions. Additionally, he also complains that the Vision Pro is notorious for isolating the user from the “real world,” making it uncomfortable to use around other people or even in public places. Additionally, the lack of a ‘killer app’ for the Vision Pro also adds to the device’s woes.
Despite these concerns, keep in mind that developers are hard at work exploring new applications for the Vision Pro. As they continue to come up with more applications, it is entirely possible that compelling new use cases and even the aforementioned “killer app” will emerge. , which would drive renewed interest in the product. In addition, rumors about a more affordable version of the Vision Pro have been floating around the internet for some time and, if true, could significantly broaden its appeal and even ease its transition to a more mainstream device within the reach of the average consumer.
