Comment by alongrinshpoon
3 years ago
Some quick thoughts:
- Focus is on entertainment, remote work, collaboration, and utility, but their partnership with Unity might mean that gaming is part of the long-term strategy. Gaming is a top use case for VR with Meta devices, so Apple is focusing on AR use cases first.
- Disney is aligned on Apple's AR vision with Disney, Marvel Studios, ESPN 3D content, and more available on launch. This will make more entertainment companies jump into AR/VR!
- Can create a digital persona ("avatar") and make a virtual version of you with face tracking. Interesting move that can affect companies focusing on avatar creation.
- No physical controller - you can use your eyes, hands, and voice. Really interesting approach, and leaves room for haptic companies to shine.
- Comes with an M2 chip and a new R1 chip. Not sure how the R1 (or M2+R1) compares to the leading XR chip, Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2.
- Spatial photos and videos are supported and can be created with the device. Can be competitive with Leia's Lume Pad 2.
- Your Mac screen expands automatically to the VisionPro, which can be competition for companies building "AR laptops" or remote collaboration apps.
- Price is $3499, definitely a "Pro" price, which probably means that a "non-Pro" version is in the works.
- visionOS is Apple's OS for spatial computing. Interesting move that can affect companies building an OS for XR.
- "Spatial Computing" is the notable messaging (vs. "Metaverse").
- Launching early next year. Let's go!
> - Price is $3499, definitely a "Pro" price, which probably means that a "non-Pro" version is in the works.
I would perhaps argue the opposite here. They list it on the official page as "starting" at $3499 which gives me the indication that there will be other, higher tiered models to choose from on release.
The new Mac Pro starts at $6,999 and can definitely go up from there. Does that mean there are higher tiered models to choose when it is released?
I just configured one for $12,199. Ya, still a pro. Nope, I can’t afford it.
Colorful headbands, red version, battery pack etc?
Watch them charge $599 for inserts for people who wear glasses.
Unity's sales play is greater than just games. I wouldn’t say the partnership signals games (but it doesn’t exclude them.)
> ESPN 3D content
Seems like it’s be a really compelling use case, though I wonder what they’d have to charge to procure that kind of content live