After years of development, lagging behind the whole AR trend in the process, Apple has finally revealed what would be the first version of its AR glasses – which is essentially a Meta Quest unit, just without the VR elements. Apple’s first step into mixed reality is called ‘Vision Pro’, which will incorporate a range of potential use cases.
As outlined in the official reveal video, Apple is touting this as a ‘new era of spatial computing’, with simplified eye and finger controls for interaction, digital elements that respond to real-world cues, and immersive AR elements.
Apple of Your Eye
It does look quite impressive, and some potentially great use cases could stem from its usage. However, as noted, pretty much all of the same can already be done on Meta’s Quest units, which also fully support VR capability, which Apple’s Vision Pro currently doesn’t.
Not to mention, Meta’s Quests are a lot more affordable. At launch, coming early 2024, the Vision Pro will be priced at a ridiculous $3,499, which is a crime compared to the new Meta Quest 3s, which are priced at only $499 apiece. This isn’t surprising, after all, Apple is the true pro when it comes to overestimating its product prices. If you could use the visors outside of the house, and if Apple was able to integrate full AR and pass-through capability into stylish glasses, like Meta’s Stories collaboration with Ray-Ban.
That was the if, and even then, it would only (very weakly) partially justify the insane cost. Okay, the tech is solid and the functionality is interesting, but it’s essentially a non-VR-supported Meta Quest headset that’s seven times more expensive. It does look like Ski goggles, which is pretty much the only advantage they have among similar devices from other brands.
Oh, it’s also tethered by cable. Yeah. The cable links to a portable battery, allowing you to still take it anywhere, but that also means that you need to be carrying the battery with you everywhere, too. It might be a design thing, which does sound like it could at least run longer, but still – what was Tim Cook’s inspiration for this particular power design?
The Wrap
We’re sure that there are some interesting functional elements, and we’ll be able to get a better sense of how it actually works after it is released. However, right now, it seems that Apple is still way behind Meta on this front, while also losing out by being unwilling to eat the initial costs that will secure mass take-up. Meta’s VR units are leaving a lot of profit on the table, but they would rather get more units out there in more hands, essentially catalyzing the coming of the AR/VR era. Unless it also supports the trademark device language shared across all Apple devices and all of its proprietary exclusive features, that $3,499 price tag will act mostly as a deterrent that’ll only draw the attention of all but the most avid of Apple supporters and enthusiasts.
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