Apple’s high-tech and very expensive virtual reality (VR) headset Vision Pro has finally launched in Europe. The Vision Pro, which went on sale in Apple stores in the UK and Europe on Friday, has attracted a lot of attention from users. However, the launch of this new device has also raised questions about whether VR headsets will ever become mainstream.
Can Vision Pro catch on in Europe?
Apple plans to make its mark on the market by positioning Vision Pro as a product that enhances your current activities. Home videos become 3D-like, while panoramic photos stretch from floor to ceiling and wrap around you in 360 degrees. Apple calls this kind of content “spatial content”. However, the price of Vision Pro is quite high, even there: 3,499 pounds in the UK and 3,999 euros in Europe.
The future of VR headsets and their potential to become mainstream
The Vision Pro has so far only been available in the US, and research firm IDC predicts that fewer than 500,000 units will be sold this year. Meta does not share sales data for Quest headsets, but it is thought to have sold around 20 million units worldwide.
VR headsets are not as ubiquitous as tablets and cell phones. This is due to limited VR content and low user interest. According to analyst George Jijiashvili, the lack of content leads to a lack of interest and a lower incentive for developers to produce it.
What VR needs to become mainstream
Alan Boyce says early Vision Pro buyers should be patient. Quest 3 already has a large library of games and, like the Vision Pro, can perform virtual desktop tasks. According to IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo, even the iPhone took time to become mainstream and the App Store needed to explode with apps that add value to our lives.
The launch of the Apple Vision Pro in Europe raises important questions about the future of VR headsets. Its high price and limited content may make it difficult for the device to become mainstream. However, the efforts of big heads like Apple and Meta could make VR more mainstream in the future. Time will tell how successful the Vision Pro will be on the European and even the world market.
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