Apple is ramping up production of its Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, setting the stage for a launch by February, according to a report on Wednesday. Production of the new headset is at full speed at facilities in China and has been for several weeks, reports Bloomberg News, which cites people with knowledge of the matter.
The report added that the goal is for customer-bound units to be ready by the end of January, with the retail debut planned for the following month. Apple is reportedly taking a low-key approach to the device’s launch, partly because of its $3,500 price tag and US-only initial availability. The company also anticipates a limited supply that could lead to months of restocking wait times.
According to the report, Apple is already sending store employees to Cupertino for training on the Vision Pro and how to sell and fit it in stores. It’s believed that the firm will fly at least two employees from each store to the company’s headquarters for a two-day session starting next month, where they’ll learn more about the headset and its key selling points. Additionally, employees will be taught how to properly fit a headset to a customer’s head and attach accessories such as a light seal and prescription lenses. An app that can scan a head and recommend the proper accessory size will aid this process.
Despite the high-end price tag and US-only initial availability, Apple is optimistic about its prospects for the Vision Pro, especially in corporate settings where it hopes to replicate the success of the Apple Watch. The device has an ultra-high resolution system, custom Apple silicon, and a dual-screen display, making it more comfortable for long periods than previous AR headsets. In addition, it offers features that aren’t available on smartphones and tablets.
It will offer developers an unprecedented opportunity to create immersive spatial experiences and redefine how we use apps, capture photos and media, and connect. Apple has encouraged developers to design their software for the headset by offering tools and frameworks, such as Xcode, SwiftUI, ARKit, and RealityKit, and its 3D-content preparation app, Reality Composer Pro.
Apple is expected to announce more details about the Vision Pro during a special event later this year. The company’s latest hardware will likely be joined by a revamp of iOS and macOS. It will also be accompanied by the release of visionOS, a new version of its operating system that supports the headset. This will allow users to access various new applications that utilize the headset’s groundbreaking hardware and custom Apple silicon.
