Using Vision Pro as a computer system, as covered throughout WWDC 2023. Image: Apple isn’t quiting on its combined reality dreams right now. Regardless of the lukewarm industrial action to the $3,500 Vision Pro headset, the business is doubling down on the technology, with 2 brand-new headsets in the pipeline and a long-term concentrate on streamlined AR glasses.
This fresh wave of updates originates from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who reported in his Power On newsletter that Apple is revamping its method following internal shakeups and shifting market expectations.
2 headsets, two goals
Apple is now developing two new Vision Pro designs. One will be a less expensive, lighter version aimed at making the headset more comfortable and budget-friendly for daily users. The present Vision Pro weighs nearly 1.5 pounds and expenses as much as a premium MacBook, factors that have kept many prospective buyers away.
The second gadget is a more customized, tethered variation that connects straight to a Mac for ultra-low-latency jobs, perfect for surgical imaging or flight simulators, where lag simply isn’t an alternative.
This brand-new wired headset won’t offer openness like AR glasses however will preserve the immersive feel of the Vision Pro. According to Gurman, Apple is taking this route after shelving earlier prepare for AR glasses that connected to a Mac.
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Eyes still on the reward: True AR glasses
Despite the pivot, Apple hasn’t deserted its supreme goal: fully augmented truth glasses that are lightweight, effective, and useful enough for all-day use. According to Gurman, CEO Tim Cook has actually “made this concept a top priority for the company,” determined to beat Meta and other competitors to the finish line.
To construct glasses that mix seamlessly into daily life, Apple requires to solve big technical challenges. And, the glasses will require to provide compelling experiences so that individuals will wish to use them as much as they utilize their phones.
In the meantime, Apple is checking out intermediate actions, such as including AI-enabled video cameras to items like the Apple Watch and AirPods, and even try out glasses that feature microphones and Siri combination– though the business remains cautious about enabling cam performance due to personal privacy issues.
The larger photo
The Vision Pro’s launching was excellent, however it was too costly and large for most people. By improving the design and lowering the cost, Apple could make combined reality more available. Meanwhile, Cook’s vision for AR glasses mean a future where tech blends seamlessly into everyday life.
For now, though, Apple’s playing the long game. The next Vision Pros are stepping stones, however the real revolution– if it takes place– will remain in the glasses.
As Gurman reports, Tim Cook isn’t budging on his ambition. “Tim appreciates absolutely nothing else,” a source informed him. “It’s the only thing he’s really spending his time on from a product development viewpoint.”
