What Do They Do More Precisely?
On February 2, hundreds of people lined up across the United States to grab the much anticipated Apple Vision Pro, the company’s headset that blends virtual and augmented reality. Nearly two weeks after the launch, a portion of those early buyers began returning the device.
One common gripe among owners is the weight, tipping the scales at about 650 grams. “As impressive as it is, I simply can’t get past the heft and the discomfort on my face. It hurts after short sessions”, says Ben Schmanke, a tech YouTuber with nearly 600,000 followers. He plans to return his unit.
What Is It Good For?
Although the Vision Pro ships with more than 600 new, adapted apps, questions persist about practical use. “After a week of use, it starts to feel more like a novelty than something I would actually rely on”, notes a user in a Reddit discussion. (Source: Reddit threads with user anecdotes.)
Among its touted uses, productivity stands out because the Vision Pro can integrate office tasks, such as email, directly into the user’s field of view. Yet a key question remains: is it sensible to do tasks you already perform on a computer or smartphone with these glasses? “Unless you have a physical keyboard and mouse handy, the native input is awkward for productive work”, says Farzad Mesbahi, a content creator familiar with the tech. Source: Tech commentary discussions.
Another prominent use case Apple highlights is entertainment. Still, the idea of a guaranteed portable screen on your head isn’t without criticism. “If I don’t love it for entertainment and there aren’t enough games, I can’t justify keeping it”, comments another Reddit user. (Source: Reddit discussions.)
Is the Price Too High?
The price is another potential hurdle, with Vision Pro priced at $3,500, a level that many find prohibitive. “It’s excessive to pay $3,500 to augment a laptop that already costs $3,500”, argues a tech commentator. (Source: YouTube and tech chatter.)
Despite the backlash, optimism remains about the device’s future. Some believe that future iterations could address current flaws. “I’ll buy a unit if they start selling refurbished models for under $3,000”, says another Reddit participant. (Source: Reddit exchanges.)
Could Meta See an Advantage Here?
The problems with Apple’s headset may open a window for Meta. Some early adopters who returned Vision Pro reportedly moved to Quest 3, Meta’s latest mixed-reality headset, which has been available since June. It is priced much lower, around 569 euros. (Source: product announcement summaries.)
In a recent post, Mark Zuckerberg, founder and chief of Meta, defended his company’s approach. “I still believe the Quest 3 is the best product, end of story”, he states. He also explains that Quest 3 weighs about 120 grams less and costs roughly 2,700 euros less. The goal is clear: entice users to choose Meta in this emerging market rather than Apple. (Source: official statements and video release.)