The Apple Vision Pro has recently been announced, although there is still speculation about this device and its role in Apple’s future. Despite the device’s steep price tag of $3,499, the reception has been mostly positive. Some people had high hopes that the Vision Pro would match the level of excitement of the original iPhone announcement in 2007, which ushered in the era of modern smartphones. However, there are several reasons why the hype surrounding the Vision Pro may be unwarranted. So far, the only confirmed promise is that the Vision Pro will run 100 Apple Arcade apps on day one.
The Appeal of Apple Arcade
Apple Arcade has a vast selection of games available for a low monthly subscription price, which is a huge value for anyone interested in gaming. Meanwhile, the Vision Pro is quite expensive, costing more than even the most expensive iPhones. While it seems likely that many of the games on Apple Arcade will be available on the Vision Pro, it’s hard to justify the price when compared to the subscription service. So the question becomes: what else is there?
If Not the Metaverse, Then What?
Apple has taken a different approach than many other companies by not advertising its headset as being part of the “metaverse”. Instead, Apple has focused on creating a suite of Apple-only uses that work with Macs, iPhones, and iPads. It’s a refreshing break from some of the loftier and less realized ideas promised by other companies. It seems that Apple is looking to focus its hardcore fan base even more and create new uses for the devices they may already own and use frequently.
New Killer Apps, Anyone?
The success of the iPhone was largely due to the ability of developers around the world to create apps far beyond what Apple ever imagined. This same strategy could work for the Vision Pro as well. The hope is that with more developers working to push the boundaries of this device, new killer games and apps will emerge that will make the Vision Pro worth the investment.
While it’s easy to downplay the Vision Pro as being just another expensive toy, we believe that it has the potential to be much more than that with the right applications. Ultimately, only time will tell if the device lives up to the hype that has surrounded its release. We look forward to seeing the types of games and apps that will convince people to invest in the Vision Pro.