I really hope Apple does not attempt to position a $2000 VR headset at the consumer market. They could position it as pro headset for enterprise markets as a first step before towards releasing a consumer headset at a consumer price point. If Apple somehow tries to convince everyone that a $2000 consumer headset makes sense, the entire tech industry will be laughing at the company. Expect to hear the term "jumped the shark" a lot when Apple is discussed.
Another device that will continue to add space between what's in your head and reality. I prefer reality.
It will be cool, but no thanks.
That could be why Apple (if the rumours are true) are aiming it at people who have an alternative reality in their heads anyway and need tools to help get it out. For the benefit of societies progress, their own mental health and to earn the dollars. Once it services some economic turn-over then the price is not out of the question. Like a $5000 monitor aimed at professionals. Some people will pay thee money for just for their own entertainment to look cool in their podcasts.
Then again if it is shaping up as a new somewhat standalone creative platform in it's own right then really timing for introduction can't be anything other than WWDC.
I'd certainly pay $2,000 -$3,000 if it replaced one of my regular use cases. Thinks it's either a Laptop replacement teamed with iPad. Or a Desktop replacement teamed with a laptop.
I just watched AFHV on ABC. One video many people wearing something look like retrofitted headset were frightened to fall off chairs or retreated back to hit other things.
When Apple finally jumps into the AR/VR industry they will do what it does best: go after the high end of the consumer market where the lion's share of gross margin lives. They aren't going to duke it out in the entry-level market groveling for crumbs.
That’s a typical response from the AI peanut gallery whenever Apple releases a new product. Whatever it is it’s always dismissed as overpriced while the competition is better and farther ahead. Fast forward to a year or two later... remember the iPod, the iPhone, the iPad, the Watch, the AirPods.
As for a use case? The only use I see for it is entertainment and people spend $billions on entertainment. They’ll spend their last dollar to be entertained so they can get away from the reality of this miserable world.
Assuming it will actually run games, I don't disagree. In order to actually run games, one or more of these things will likely need to happen:
Apple will need to start caring about games other than those in the Arcade.
Game developers will need to port their games to this device.
Apple will need to make it compatible with existing VR platforms, e.g. Steam VR, Meta, Windows Mixed Reality, etc.
For me personally, and I know Apple's priorities don't match, and that's fine, unless I can play Elite Dangerous, Skyrim VR, and the new VR games, and possible VR adaptations of those games, likely to be coming out in the next few years, it's going to be a non-starter for me.
The other, and more likely IMO, possibility is that it because a must-have accessory for my work PC. It's doubtful that my employer will invest in that particular possibility, unless it becomes obvious that it will be a cost savings. It's even less likely that I would be allowed to connect such an accessory to my work machine. Our security is so locked down that it took me three months to convince them to allow bluetooth connections other than the keyboard and mouse. 😕
That’s a weird thing to say. You can go out right now and buy a $300 laptop, yet no one would ever say a $2000 MacBook Pro has no use case. We don’t even know what these are going to do, or how much they’re going to cost. So far, all we have are speculations disguised as “insider knowledge”.
Hmm, you planning on editing high-end video content on your headset? How about company spreadsheets? 3d sculpting? Somehow I doubt it. So how do you intend to get your money back out of this investment?
That’s a weird thing to say. You can go out right now and buy a $300 laptop, yet no one would ever say a $2000 MacBook Pro has no use case. We don’t even know what these are going to do, or how much they’re going to cost. So far, all we have are speculations disguised as “insider knowledge”.
Hmm, you planning on editing high-end video content on your headset? How about company spreadsheets? 3d sculpting? Somehow I doubt it. So how do you intend to get your money back out of this investment?
From “absolutely no use case” to no ROI? That was a quick journey. How is it even remotely possible to predict the ROI on a device that hasn’t even been announced yet? These aren’t for you…that’s fine. But don’t invent pretend reasons that nobody could possibly prove either way in order to justify that decision.
That’s a typical response from the AI peanut gallery whenever Apple releases a new product. Whatever it is it’s always dismissed as overpriced while the competition is better and farther ahead. Fast forward to a year or two later... remember the iPod, the iPhone, the iPad, the Watch, the AirPods.
The iPod Hi-Fi, the HomePod, the G4 Cube.
If you cherry pick your examples from a mixed bag then you can prove just about anything.
I like the sound of Apple Vision, it’s just a cool name. And I really hope they don’t settle for Apple Goggles, which sounds too much like Google, as the authors spell check proved above.
Argh! No! I hate it when Apple reuses product names!
Comments
Then again if it is shaping up as a new somewhat standalone creative platform in it's own right then really timing for introduction can't be anything other than WWDC.
I'd certainly pay $2,000 -$3,000 if it replaced one of my regular use cases. Thinks it's either a Laptop replacement teamed with iPad. Or a Desktop replacement teamed with a laptop.
As for a use case? The only use I see for it is entertainment and people spend $billions on entertainment. They’ll spend their last dollar to be entertained so they can get away from the reality of this miserable world.
- Apple will need to start caring about games other than those in the Arcade.
- Game developers will need to port their games to this device.
- Apple will need to make it compatible with existing VR platforms, e.g. Steam VR, Meta, Windows Mixed Reality, etc.
For me personally, and I know Apple's priorities don't match, and that's fine, unless I can play Elite Dangerous, Skyrim VR, and the new VR games, and possible VR adaptations of those games, likely to be coming out in the next few years, it's going to be a non-starter for me.The other, and more likely IMO, possibility is that it because a must-have accessory for my work PC. It's doubtful that my employer will invest in that particular possibility, unless it becomes obvious that it will be a cost savings. It's even less likely that I would be allowed to connect such an accessory to my work machine. Our security is so locked down that it took me three months to convince them to allow bluetooth connections other than the keyboard and mouse. 😕
If you cherry pick your examples from a mixed bag then you can prove just about anything.