Apple Inc. has announced that its highly anticipated mixed-reality headset, Vision Pro, will finally be available for pre-orders on Friday, allowing the company to gauge initial consumer interest in the $3,499 device. The product will go on sale at 8:00 AM EST through Apple’s website and mobile app before being available for pick-up by stores and consumers on February 2nd. The purchasing process will be unique, as customers will have to use a recent model of iPhone or iPad to scan their head and, if necessary, provide a prescription for eyeglasses.
Although Apple typically does not comment on sales performance for new products, the pre-order process may provide some indications. If buyers receive estimated delivery times well beyond February 2nd, it could suggest strong demand or limited availability.
Wall Street analysts predict a slow start for this device. UBS Group AG analyst David Vogt expects Apple to deliver between 300,000 to 400,000 units this year, generating up to $1.4 billion. For a company that had revenues of $383 billion last year, this is considered “insignificant.”
Nevertheless, the goal is to lay the groundwork for something bigger. Apple is entering the market with its first major new product category since the introduction of the Apple Watch in 2015, and the Vision Pro could have a long lifespan. The company will continue to refine the headset – making it cheaper and more comfortable – to find compelling uses for the device.
Long-term, Apple may need a fresh source of revenue. The smartphone market has reached maturity and is under particular pressure in China. The company has experienced revenue declines for four consecutive quarters, marking the longest period of decline in over two decades.
Initially, Apple plans to sell the Vision Pro headset only in the US, with introduction to other markets in the coming months. The company is considering the UK, Canada, and China as some of the first additional countries, according to Bloomberg News.
It is a complex product to manufacture, which may limit initial supply. The dual 4K resolution displays in the headset, merging virtual and augmented reality, have encountered production issues. However, the fact that Apple has been ramping up production for several months suggests it will be able to meet initial demand. The company is also offering a 25% discount on the device for employees, indicating that supplies are not overly restricted.
Among Apple’s management team, there is a belief in a strong market opening weekend followed by a drop in sales. Priced at $3,499, the Vision Pro is one of the most expensive consumer headsets – about seven times more expensive than the latest VR device from market leader Meta Platforms Inc.
The Vision Pro may also be challenging to share with family and friends. It requires a precise fitting process to ensure a good fit. Facial scanning is used to determine the best light seal and strap size for users. The company has prepared 25 different light seals – cushions that prevent light from entering the wearer’s field of view – in addition to two straps. There are also inserts available for prescription glasses at an additional cost.
Another issue that has arisen in recent days is the lack of support from popular streaming applications. Netflix Inc., Spotify Technology SA, and Google’s YouTube have decided not to release software for this device, at least at the time of its launch.
However, Apple has carefully crafted its selling points for the headset. When customers try it out in Apple stores, they will receive a 25-minute presentation to familiarize themselves with the 3D experience that the company calls “computational spatial.”
In summary, the Vision Pro mixed-reality headset will be Apple’s first product in this category since 2015. Despite an expected slow start, it is a step towards something bigger in the future. Apple will continue to develop and refine its device to find new uses and attract a larger customer base. By merging virtual and augmented reality, the Vision Pro could become a new source of revenue for the company in a world where the smartphone market is saturated.
The source of the article is from the blog meltyfan.es