Apple calls Vision Pro its first foray into “spatial computing.”
San Francisco, U.S:
Apple stores in the U.S. will begin selling the Vision Pro on Friday, the tech giant’s $3,499 headphones and the first major launch since the Apple Watch nine years ago.
The launch of Vision Pro by the world’s most iconic device maker is a major milestone for virtual reality or augmented reality enthusiasts, who see the technology as a new chapter in online life after the smartphone.
But with a hefty price tag and the modest success of similar and cheaper products from Facebook owner Meta, early reviews don’t convincingly suggest that the Vision Pro will be a game-changer, at least initially. .
The Verge writes that the Vision Pro is an “amazing” product, but “also represents a set of truly huge trade-offs” that “can’t be ignored.”
The New York Times wrote that it was “an impressive product that took years and billions of dollars to build,” but “even after trying it, I still don’t know who this thing was designed for. of”. .
Reviewers admit it has a definite “wow” factor, pointing to its state-of-the-art graphics and the joy of opening and closing apps floating in space with your eyes and fingers.
However, they added that the headphones are heavy, can mess up users’ hair, and require bulky battery packs.
Apple CEO Tim Cook appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair on Thursday wearing the Vision Pro, a massive promotional move.
He drew criticism for revealing the device at a conference in June without trying it on.
Apple calls the Vision Pro its first foray into “spatial computing,” rejecting the term virtual reality, which is often associated with tech geeks and gamers.
In the ad, in addition to streaming movies, users wear the Vision Pro to work or chat with friends, or switch apps.
Apple says Vision Pro has 600 specially designed apps and games, as well as 1 million compatible apps.
“These incredible apps will change the way we experience entertainment, music and games,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations.
Disney has partnered with Apple to offer 150 3D movies at launch, the companies said.
Netflix, Spotify and Google have so far declined to modify their apps specifically for the headphones.
Vision Pro can be tried by appointment at Apple stores in the United States. That’s because the device requires fine-tuning and some training since “most consumers have no experience with gesture controls,” Forrester Research wrote in a report.
Analysts at Wedbush Securities said pre-orders have been strong and Apple expects to sell about 600,000 units this year.
“We think the ultimate goal for Apple is that the Vision Pro will be used with iPhones and other Apple devices in the coming years,” Wedbush’s Dan Ives said.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
