Wed Jun 07, 2023 6:37 pm
Apple named it "Apple Vision Pro" so they have the option to name a future, less-expensive product intended for the mass-market "Apple Vision". Just as they do with their other product lines.
The "Vision Pro" was announced at Apple's developer conference so developers can start designing software and hardware for use with it. Its SDK will be available in a few weeks. Developers will have a field day with Vision Pro!
It's important to remember Vision Pro is a fairly powerful general-purpose COMPUTER in addition to being a >4K 3D/2D display & camera system. The possibilities of what can be done with such a device are extremely flexible.
For example, I'm sure Blackmagic already has multiple ideas, both hardware & software. Imagine a future camera with an encrypted, low-latency WiFi-6 VIDEO & CAMERA CONTROL OUTPUT compatible with Vision Pro. Why use a low-tech, low-quality EVF or monitor when Vision Pro can be worn by key on-set personnel, each seeing & INTERACTING with high-quality camera output PLUS computer data such as script, storyboard, video & audio tech waveforms, etc. in virtual windows, arranged (or muted) in virtual space. With high-quality audio. All securely managed according to each user's needs/job. Users would be able to instantly dial in/out the on-set reality at any time using the Vision Pro dial. Yes, a crazy example, but not totally far-fetched. Something like this will happen.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, developers of solutions for manufacturing, engineering, medicine, architecture, education, disability/accessibility, etc. are likely racing to create products based on Vision Pro. In many of these cases, the $3,500 price of the Vision Pro would be a small percentage of the overall solution's cost. These are not small markets. Within a year or two from now, Apple could easily sell many hundreds of thousands (and eventually millions) of Vision Pro for these non-consumer applications.
If Vision Pro succeeds, which I think it will, in about a year Apple will announce the less-expensive, lighter-weight "Apple Vision" model. Given Apple's rapid development of custom silicon, the new model will probably be more capable that "today's" (not yet shipping) Vision Pro. And compatible with most/all software developed for Vision Pro. And there'll be an even more capable "Vision Pro II". Rinse. Repeat.
And yes, some people will find all sort of horrible, anti-social uses for a powerful device such as Vision Pro. Same as it ever was. That's why Apple and society will need to manage its use with common-sense built-in design limitations and legal regulation. True, there hasn't been a good track record for this in many cases, but an effort should be made.
The future looks bright. Some of us with money (or forward-thinking employers) will be able to wear Vision Pro.
Cheers.