April 22 news, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman today wrote that Apple's Vision Pro seems to be facing the common fate of VR devices. The headset was initially highly anticipated and sold briskly, with users rushing to physical stores to book experiences. However, the device's popularity is now fading.
Reports indicate a significant decline in the previously bustling Vision Pro trial reservations at Apple retail stores. Many users who booked experiences often miss their appointments, and sales in some stores have plummeted from a daily average of several units to only a few units per week. Apple has had to ramp up its online promotional efforts, with the website featuring the most extensive Vision Pro advertising campaign since its launch in February.
A bigger issue lies in whether existing Vision Pro users have reduced their usage frequency, which has been a major challenge plaguing VR devices in the past. Gurman shared his usage experience, stating that in the first few months after getting it, he used Vision Pro almost daily (even multiple times a day). However, now the usage frequency has dropped to once or twice a week.
Initially, Gurman used Vision Pro to watch movies, browse YouTube videos, and even for a more immersive Mac experience while working from home. However, as the novelty wore off, the cumbersome usage process of Vision Pro became more apparent. Steps like charging the battery, powering on the device, and getting familiar with the interface made daily use less convenient. Additionally, the lack of "killer apps" that fully leverage the device's features also dampened interest. In comparison, using a laptop directly or watching videos on a large-screen TV is evidently more convenient.
Additionally, when using Vision Pro, users are isolated from the real world, making it feel out of place in family or coworker settings. It is more suitable for individual use, such as during long flights or home office scenarios. Although Apple has addressed some of the issues with the visionOS operating system, there is still much room for improvement in terms of user experience. As of now, Vision Pro still lacks two environments (offering natural landscapes and other virtual backgrounds), many of Apple's own apps are not optimized for this platform, and the content in the device's app store is also unremarkable.
Apple recently introduced the "Space Persona" feature, which allows multiple Vision Pro users to feel as if they are in the same virtual space. However, the prerequisite for this feature is that you need to know other people who also have Vision Pro, which may not be easy to find at the moment.
Source: IT Home
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