Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-02 15:39:47
US Apple stores began selling the Vision Pro headset on Friday, marking the tech giant’s first major release since the Apple Watch nine years ago. Priced at $3,499, the arrival of the Vision Pro has been highly anticipated by lovers of virtual and augmented reality, who see the technology as the next chapter in online life after the smartphone.
Despite the excitement surrounding the launch, some early reviews have expressed doubts about whether the Vision Pro will be a game-changer, at least for now. The high sticker price and the underwhelming success of similar and cheaper releases from Facebook owner Meta have contributed to these doubts.
Tech website The Verge described the Vision Pro as “astonishing” but also stated that it represents a series of significant trade-offs that are impossible to ignore. Similarly, The New York Times praised the product as an “impressive” and long-awaited release, but also expressed uncertainty about its target audience.
Critics also praised the state-of-the-art image quality and the immersive experience of using the Vision Pro to interact with apps. However, they also noted that the headset is heavy, has a tendency to mess up the user’s hair, and requires a clunky battery pack.
Apple CEO Tim Cook made an appearance at Apple’s Fifth Avenue store in New York to greet the first customers, generating applause from the staff. Cook had also been featured on the cover of Vanity Fair earlier in the week wearing the Vision Pro, although he had previously faced criticism for revealing the device without ever trying it on at a conference in June.
Apple has referred to the Vision Pro as its first foray into “spatial computing,” avoiding the term virtual reality, which is often associated with tech enthusiasts and gamers. The company has showcased the headset being used for work, communication, app navigation, and streaming movies in its advertisements.
According to Apple, there are 600 specifically designed apps and games available for the Vision Pro, as well as one million compatible apps. Disney has partnered with Apple to provide 150 3D movies at launch, but other major platforms like Netflix, Spotify, and Google have not yet modified their apps specifically for the headset.
During an earnings call, Cook mentioned that the Vision Pro would be available in other countries later in the year. Those interested in trying the device can make an appointment at US Apple stores, as it requires finely tuned adjustments and some training, given that most consumers don’t have experience with gesture controls.
Despite the reservations expressed in some reviews, analysts from Wedbush Securities predict strong pre-orders and estimate that Apple will sell about 600,000 units of the Vision Pro this year. They believe the ultimate goal for Apple is for the Vision Pro to complement the iPhone and other Apple devices in the coming years.
In conclusion, the release of the Vision Pro represents a significant milestone for Apple and has generated both excitement and skepticism. Its success will depend on how well it is received by consumers and how it integrates with other Apple products in the future.
