Pulsestacks reports on April 22 that Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman published an article today stating that Apple's Vision Pro appears to be following the typical fate of VR devices. The headset had an initially spectacular debut, with explosive sales and customers flocking to stores for appointments. However, interest in the device is now fading.
Reports indicate a significant drop in appointments for trials of Apple's previously popular Vision Pro in retail stores, with many users not showing up for their scheduled experiences. Some stores have seen their sales plummet from several units per day to just a few per week. In response, Apple has intensified its online promotional efforts, launching the most aggressive advertising campaign for the Vision Pro on its website since its release in February.
A major concern is whether existing Vision Pro users have decreased their usage frequency, a persistent issue that has plagued VR devices. Gurman shared his experience, noting that he used the Vision Pro almost daily (sometimes multiple times a day) during the initial months after purchase. However, his usage has now dwindled to just once or twice a week.
Initially, Gurman enjoyed using the Vision Pro for watching movies, browsing YouTube videos, and even for a more immersive Mac experience while working from home. But as the novelty wore off, the cumbersome process of using the Vision Pro became apparent. The steps of wearing the battery, starting the device, and familiarizing with the interface made daily use inconvenient. Additionally, the lack of "killer apps" that fully utilize the device's features has diminished its appeal. In comparison, using a laptop or watching videos on a large-screen TV is clearly more convenient.
Moreover, the Vision Pro isolates users from the real world when in use, making it seem out of place around family or colleagues and more suited for solitary use (such as on long flights or working from home). Despite Apple addressing some bugs in the visionOS operating system, improvements in user experience have been minimal. To date, the Vision Pro still lacks two environments (providing natural landscapes and other virtual backgrounds), and many of Apple's own apps are not optimized for the platform. The app store on the device also lacks compelling content.
Recently, Apple introduced the "Spatial Persona" feature, allowing multiple Vision Pro users to feel as if they are in the same virtual space. However, the functionality relies on knowing other Vision Pro owners, which may not be easy to find.
