Apple’s highly anticipated Vision Pro mixed-reality headset is set to debut on February 2, but app developers are taking a cautious approach due to its high price and a perceived lack of support from Apple. Unlike its predecessors, such as the iPhone, which thrived on robust app ecosystems, the Vision Pro seems to be entering the market with a limited number of compatible apps.
Priced at $3,499 for the base model, the Vision Pro faces challenges in a declining market for VR headsets. Additionally, recent disputes between Apple and developers over increased fees for out-of-app purchases have created a less-than-ideal environment for app development on the new headset.
Developers, who were initially excited about the Vision Pro, have expressed concerns about the device’s limitations and Apple’s seemingly discouraging stance toward them. One anonymous developer stated that, despite the initial excitement, many questions arose about the headset’s practicality and development process.
Leo Gebbie, Principal Analyst of connected devices at CCS Insight, notes that Apple’s rigorous quality control and regulations for app development may discourage developers, considering the potential limited user base for the Vision Pro.
Technology analyst Michael Gartenberg worries that Apple’s high-handed approach may hinder the success of the Vision Pro, emphasizing the critical role developers play in the success of such devices. He suggests that Apple needs to engage with developers more effectively to ensure the platform’s growth.
Despite the current challenges, some developers anticipate that more apps will emerge over time, making the Vision Pro ecosystem more robust. However, the headset’s high cost and Apple’s perceived aloofness may initially cater to larger enterprises rather than individual consumers.
Gartenberg suggests that Apple needs to actively promote the Vision Pro platform to developers to overcome current challenges. While the device boasts a native operating system called visionOS, with unique experiences such as a virtual workspace and 3D modeling tools, its success may depend on Apple’s ability to foster a vibrant developer community. ZY ZY ZY ZY ZY ZY ZY ZY ZY ZY
The Vision Pro’s focus on individual experiences like watching movies and browsing the web, combined with its bulky design, has led to criticisms that it is an isolationist device compared to Apple’s previous products that aimed to bring people together.
