At its annual developer conference, held in June 2023, Apple unveiled a new augmented reality/virtual reality headset. Termed as the Apple Vision Pro, the AR/VR headset has promised to blend digital and physical spaces, allowing users to indulge themselves in an immersive experience. Apple has been working on the AR/VR technology for seven years now. In terms of design, the Vision Pro looks like a large pair of ski goggles, but with various sensors and cameras. Users can control the headset with their hands, eye movements, and voice commands.
The headset allows users to look at the world around them in full color. The Vision Pro also provides spatial audio and visuals, and as a result, Apple claims that it will replace desktop screens completely. Furthermore, since it is compatible with the suite of products offered by Apple, users will be able to interact with those apps in virtual reality. In simpler words, Apple’s Vision Pro is showing that the future of the internet is 3D and the launch of the headset is a decisive statement on the future of the metaverse.
Even though Vision Pro has a lot to offer and has all the essential ingredients to supercharge the growth of the metaverse industry, the price point can become a major barrier to the widespread adoption of the AR/VR headset. Amid the current macroeconomic environment, where consumers are struggling to meet their grocery and energy bills, spending US$3,499 on a headset can be a far-fetched dream for many worldwide.
On the other hand, the Quest 3 headset announced by Meta is priced at US$499, which is more suitable for reaching a wider audience. But since Apple has a history to set industry standards with products that quickly become a household name, the launch of Vision Pro will has certainly driven the competitive landscape in the global market.
The loyal customer base that Apple has around the world can also be something that is needed to drive the widespread adoption of the metaverse. The first iPhone was also priced heavily and many thought that the lack of an app store will become the barrier to widespread adoption of the smartphone. However, more than a decade later, iPhone has become a household name globally. Apple is probably aiming to achieve the same with its Vision Pro headset, while its competitors are struggling in the segment.
Meta, with its Quest 2 headset, has failed to take the metaverse technology mainstream. In 2022, sales of the Quest 2 headset decline significantly. Other players in the segment such as Microsoft, Disney, and Walmart have also abandoned their metaverse plans owing to the fading popularity of the new-age technology. Thus, the launch of Vision Pro can lay down the blueprint for the future metaverse, just because of the popularity of Apple as a brand.
The device is slated to be launched next year for consumers and only time will tell if the price point becomes a barrier to the adoption of the AR/VR headset. However, the announcement from Apple regarding the launch of Vision Pro is also seen as a wake-up call for regulators to prepare for the collision of digital and physical spaces.
If Apple’s Vision Pro indeed becomes as popular as iPhone or even Apple Watch going forward, it can lead to chaos on the street of cities worldwide. Pokémon Go, which surged in popularity in 2016, resulted in thousands of players stamping through parks and roadways. As a result, thousands of people were injured because of distracted driving during the first few months of the launch.
Similar situations can arise with Vision Pro if it indeed becomes popular among Apple users globally. Consequently, it is time for the regulators to lay out the guidelines for AR/VR technology and for the various firms that are innovating in the sector.
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