US Apple Fans Embrace $3,500 Vision Pro

• $3,499 Apple Vision Pro launches Friday, post-Apple Watch.
• Reviews: Impressive visuals, but mention weight and bulky battery.
• CEO Tim Cook promotes it as a leap into “spatial computing,” with strong pre-order predictions.

This Friday marks a significant moment for tech enthusiasts as Apple stores across the United States start selling the highly anticipated Vision Pro, priced at $3,499. This release, Apple’s first major venture into augmented reality (AR), is considered a landmark event in the tech giant’s history since the launch of the Apple Watch nine years ago.

The Vision Pro has generated both excitement and skepticism among consumers, with early reviews offering a nuanced perspective. While The Verge describes it as an “astonishing” product, critics note that it comes with substantial trade-offs that are hard to ignore. The New York Times, after trying the product, expressed uncertainty about the target audience, emphasizing the impressive yet perplexing nature of the headset.

Despite its hefty price tag and concerns raised by reviewers, Apple CEO Tim Cook has been actively promoting the Vision Pro, even appearing on the cover of Vanity Fair wearing the device. The promotional push aims to position the headset as a revolutionary step into “spatial computing” rather than labeling it as conventional virtual reality.

The Vision Pro boasts state-of-the-art visuals, and users can engage in activities such as streaming movies, working, chatting with friends, and navigating apps. Apple claims to have 600 specially designed apps and games for the Vision Pro, with one million compatible apps available.

Critics, however, highlight practical drawbacks such as the headset’s weight, impact on the user’s hair, and the necessity of a clunky battery pack. Netflix, Spotify, and Google have currently refrained from modifying their apps for compatibility with the Vision Pro, indicating potential challenges in broad app adoption.

To provide interested customers with a firsthand experience, Apple stores in the US are offering appointments for testing the Vision Pro. The device requires precise adjustments and some training due to its gesture controls, which may be unfamiliar to most consumers.

Despite the mixed reviews, analysts from Wedbush Securities predict strong pre-orders and estimate Apple could sell around 600,000 units in the first year. Dan Ives of Wedbush emphasizes the long-term vision for the Vision Pro, suggesting it will eventually integrate seamlessly with other Apple devices, particularly iPhones, in the years to come.

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