According to a new report by Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Apple is gearing up for one of its most complicated product rollout in years.
According to Gurman, Apple’s new Vision Pro reality headset will be available by appointment-only. Bloomberg also adds that Apple will require customers to provide prescription data for the Zeiss-made lenses.
Apple understands the current market for Virtual Reality headsets is complex and incredibly niche. The company understands it cannot market the Vision Pro headset like an iPhone, so Apple is gearing up to introduce an exclusive buying experience for Vision Pro customers.
“The company will designate special areas in the stores with seating, headset demo units, and tools to size accessories for buyers,” said Gurman. “The company is planning the sections for the Vision Pro initially at stores in major areas — such as New York and Los Angeles — before rolling them out nationwide.”
The complex rollout isn’t because of the Vision Pro itself, it’s the accessories, fitment of the headbands, light seals, and prescription lenses. Bloomberg notes that Apple will have to keep hundreds – if not thousands – of Zeiss lenses in stock at any given time to ensure the best possible fitment at time of purchase.
“The company has said it will offer headbands and light seals in multiple sizes, which retail stores will need to carry. Different consumers may need vastly different sizes, meaning stores will need to offer extra accessories if, say, a person wants to let someone else try their device or if their face size changes,” said Gurman.
Announced during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference keynote this year, Vision Pro is Apple’s $3,500 USD answer to the future of computing and virtual reality. The Cupertino-based company says Vision Pro will usher in “the era of spatial computing” and “seamlessly blend digital content with your physical space.”
Apple Vision Pro utilizes the power of Apple’s M2 chip for graphics, computational power, and efficiency, while the R1 chip analyzes the data from the device’s cameras, sensors, and microphones. This two-chip design allows for a virtually lag-free, real-time view of the world.
The Apple Vision Pro headset will be available in the United States starting early next year. Customers can purchase the Vision Pro headset at a starting price of $3,499. It’s unclear at this time how much Apple will charge for accessories.
