Technology
Monday, January 8th, 2024 3:34 pm EDT
Key Points
Launch Details and Features: Apple has announced that its highly anticipated Vision Pro headset is set to launch in the U.S. on February 2, with pre-orders starting on January 19 at 5 PM Pacific Time. The headset, priced at $3,500, is positioned as Apple’s response to Meta’s Quest headsets and has been in development for years. The Vision Pro boasts a considerable storage capacity of 256 GB, and Apple has revealed that prescription lens inserts for the headset will be available at an additional cost of $149. The device is powered by Apple’s M2 chip, the same chip used in its computers.
Market Expectations and Revenue Projections: Despite the excitement surrounding the launch, analysts and experts do not anticipate the Vision Pro to generate significant revenue initially. UBS, for instance, projects the revenue for Vision Pro to be around $1.4 billion, which is considered a “relatively immaterial” amount. The article highlights that this is Apple’s first foray into a new product category since the launch of the Apple Watch in 2015. The headset represents a strategic move by Apple to enter the virtual reality market, competing with other companies that have previously made virtual reality pushes.
Innovative Features and User Experience: The Vision Pro introduces several innovative features, including a new operating system called visionOS. The input system allows users to control the headset using their eyes, hands, and voice. Apple emphasizes compatibility with a range of productivity and creativity apps, such as Microsoft’s Office suite and Salesforce’s Slack. The company aims to revolutionize the consumer experience in gaming and video content, promoting the ability for users to watch video from Apple TV+ and various other platforms on a virtual-reality screen that “feels 100 feet wide.” Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, declares that “the era of spatial computing has arrived,” underlining the significance of the Vision Pro in shaping the future of immersive technology.
Apple is set to launch its highly anticipated Vision Pro headset in the U.S. on February 2, with pre-orders opening on January 19 at 5 PM Pacific Time. The headset, priced at $3,500, is positioned as Apple’s response to Meta’s Quest headsets and represents the tech giant’s foray into a new product category since the introduction of the Apple Watch in 2015. The Vision Pro, unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in 2023, is powered by Apple’s M2 chip, the same chip found in its computers. Despite the excitement surrounding the launch, analysts and experts do not expect the headset to generate significant initial revenue, with UBS projecting around $1.4 billion, considering it a “relatively immaterial” amount.
This innovative headset comes equipped with prescription lens inserts priced at $149 and offers ample storage with 256 GB. Apple envisions the Vision Pro as a game-changer in spatial computing, emphasizing the device’s unique features, including a new operating system named visionOS. The input system allows users to control the headset using their eyes, hands, and voice. Apple highlights compatibility with various productivity and creativity apps, such as Microsoft Office and Salesforce’s Slack. With an aim to revolutionize the user experience in gaming and video content, Apple promises users the ability to watch content from platforms like Apple TV+ on a virtual-reality screen that feels expansive at 100 feet wide.
The announcement reflects Apple’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements, with CEO Tim Cook declaring that “the era of spatial computing has arrived.” The Vision Pro’s development has been years in the making, positioning it as a significant leap in Apple’s product lineup. Despite the cautious revenue predictions, Apple aims to change the landscape of consumer and enterprise adoption of virtual reality, capitalizing on the headset’s immersive capabilities and innovative control mechanisms. With Apple’s Vision Pro entering the market, the tech industry eagerly awaits how this new entrant will impact the virtual reality landscape and consumer preferences.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/08/apple-vision-pro-headset-launches-in-us-on-feb-2-pre-orders-begin-jan-19.html
