by Stevie Ryke (‘27)

Is $3,500 worth it for a VR headset?  According to Apple, it is.  Recently, Apple introduced Apple Vision Pro: glasses that blend reality and virtual reality.  Microsoft describes mixed reality as “a blend of physical and digital worlds, unlocking natural and intuitive 3D human, computer, and environmental interactions.”  Yet, most Apple users aren’t impressed.  The glasses allow users to navigate the world using their eyes, hands, and voice.  You can Facetime, watch, listen, and play through Apple’s latest technology.  But, it’s difficult for Apple to compete with popular alternatives such as Meta Quest and Sony Playstation VR2.

Following the release, tech enthusiasts took to YouTube, reviewing Apple Vision Pro and comparing it to other brands.  Ironically, many workers at Apple don’t support the Apple Vision Pro either.  For instance, “If you see me tricking on the corner, don’t look,” an Apple staffer remarked, “It ain’t coming in one paycheck, honey.”  Regardless, Apple continues to justify the price.  When confronted regarding the price, Cook, the CEO, said“We think we priced it at the right level considering the value of it,”.  Experts claim that eye tracking and hand control must improve to justify the high price tag.  Secondly, an external battery is attached to the Apple Vision Pro that users must carry around; this eliminates the lightweight, accessible use that most users desire.  The headset weighs 650 grams, while the battery weighs 353 grams.  The average VR headset weighs 500 grams, making the average consumer claim that the Apple Vision Pro weighs them down.  The external battery only lasts 2 hours– comparatively less than other brands. The Meta Quest 2– a popular alternative to Apple– costs one-tenth of the Apple Vision Pro. As a whole, consumers feel deterred from The Apple Vision Pro due to the cost.

A couple of futuristic elements that the new headset pioneered are 23 million pixels, multiple cameras, sensors, and microphones.  Because of these new features, people who can afford The Apple Vision Pro adore it.  The Apple Vision Pro can connect to an Apple user’s phone, allowing them to browse downloaded apps and even work.  Users can use multiple apps by clicking and dragging windows around them.  However, it’s less efficient than a computer screen because users must turn their heads to navigate the windows.  Reporter Brian X. Chen, from the New York Times, describes feeling nauseated by managing multiple windows floating around his head.  Despite this, Apple, unlike other brands, allows users to put prescription lenses in Apple Vision Pro, which appeals to people who wear glasses.  The sale of 200,000 units, long queues outside the Apple store on the release date, and negative reviews indicate positive and negative feedback.

Apple has vast opportunities in the virtual world.  For instance, Meta invested ten billion dollars in virtual reality.  Subsequently, the market experienced 240% growth.  Apple already dominates the tech world and could experience similar growth to Meta.  Secondly, Apple employees get a 30% commission on app sales within the headset; this could provide an incentive to sell more glasses than the Meta employees.  Apple can significantly impact viewers’ opinions, unlike other competitors.  For example, 21.67% of smartphone users use Apple, giving them more opportunity to influence what consumers purchase than Meta and Sony Playstation VR2.  Apple is wise to enter the virtual world because virtual reality generates 11.97 billion dollars yearly.   Additionally, virtual reality will generate 15.81 billion dollars yearly over time.  Apple’s tech Opportunity provided a platform for them to launch their most expensive tech endeavor.

As our world becomes more technologically advanced, the future of technology becomes unclear.  But one thing remains clear: as the world advances, we must take the future in stride.  Blockbuster, Blackberry, Kodak, and MySpace all have one thing in common: they refused to adapt to technological advancements.  To stay ahead of the competition, Apple must continue to innovate and develop new technologies.  They may have needed to take the right approach regarding the price, but Apple is taking a step in the right direction.