Apple is known for its "One More Thing" moments, unveiling a new product to revolutionize the industry. The Apple Vision Pro, the company's first augmented reality headset, was supposed to be one of those products. But according to a recent report, it might take Apple a few more years and a few more versions to achieve its vision.
A revolutionary product that will become affordable eventually
The Apple Vision Pro, launched in late 2023, is a sleek and futuristic device that lets users interact with digital content overlayed in the real world. It runs on visionOS, a new operating system designed for immersive experiences. It also comes with a hefty price tag of $3,500, making it a niche product for early adopters and enthusiasts.
However, only some are impressed by the Apple Vision Pro, including those who worked on it. In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reveals that some members of Apple's Vision Products Group think that the headset is far from perfect and that it could take up to four generations to reach its "ideal form."
So what are the issues?
Gurman, who has a solid track record of reporting on Apple's plans and products, cites several issues that plague the Apple Vision Pro, such as its weight, battery life, app ecosystem, and software bugs. He writes that the headset is "more of a preview of the future than the future itself. It's too heavy and cumbersome, the battery life is far too short, and there aren't enough dedicated apps." He also notes that there are more glitches in visionOS than expected from an Apple product, "even a first-generation one."
These problems are also echoed by some of the early users and reviewers of the Apple Vision Pro, who have shared their mixed feelings about the device online. While some praise the headset's innovative features and potential, others complain about its discomfort, limitations, and lack of polish.
Gurman believes that Apple's ultimate goal is to make the Vision Pro a replacement for the iPad, which he argues has lost its original purpose and become a confusing part of Apple's product portfolio. He says that Apple has had "mixed results" in positioning the iPad as a Mac alternative and that the Vision Pro could offer a more compelling and futuristic way of computing.
But to achieve that, Gurman says, Apple will need to significantly improve the hardware, software, and developer support of the Vision Pro over the next few years. He writes, "it's going to take some hardware upgrades, a slew of software updates, and far better support from app developers and content makers to actually make the headset the iPad replacement that it's capable of being." Until then, he concludes, the Vision Pro is essentially a prototype where you have to pay Apple for the privilege of testing it out.
Originally published on Interesting Engineering : Original article