Apple plans to release its Vision Pro mixed reality headset in March, according to Bloomberg Mark Gurman. The tech giant reportedly planned to launch the headphones in January, but is still preparing distribution plans and conducting final device testing.
When Apple introduced the $3,499 Vision Pro in June, the company said it was going to launch in early 2024, so Apple is still technically on track with its release schedule.
The headphones will be released in the United States first and are expected to be released in other countries by the end of the year, including Canada and the United Kingdom. Since Apple usually holds its spring event in March, the tech giant will likely use the event to promote the Vision Pro.
The software that powers the Vision Pro is called visionOS, which Apple describes as “the first operating system designed for the platform for spatial computing.” The software’s 3D interface frees applications from the confines of a traditional screen.
Apple said the App Store for Vision Pro headsets will include all compatible iPhone and iPad apps by default. Additionally, over 100 Apple Arcade titles will be available to play on VisionOS at launch.
Unlike some AR headsets on the market, the Vision Pro’s battery is not built into the device itself. Instead, a cable from the back connects to a battery, which provides up to two hours of use. Or, users can plug into the wall for all-day use.
The headphones have the standard M2 chip, paired with a new R1 chip, which handles video streaming. The Vision Pro uses micro-OLED technology to pack 23 million pixels into two screens. Vision Pro includes a feature called “EyeSight,” which uses a screen in front to reveal your eyes to other people in the room.
The price of the device suggests that it is aimed at corporate buyers rather than regular consumers. As TechCrunch’s Brian Heater previously noted, the “Pro” part of the device’s name seems to indicate that a more affordable version could be coming sometime in the future.
