Hardcore Apple fans wait in the cold to try new Vision Pro headset as the ‘future of VR’ finally comes to the UK
THE Apple Vision Pro ‘spatial computer’ headset has officially gone on sale in the UK today, for £3,499 a piece.
Hardcore Apple fans were caught in the cold outside the company’s flagship store on Regent Street, London, vying to be the first ones through the doors 8am.
Liam, a software engineer, took a day off work to be the first in line to pick up the new Apple product, which he pre-ordered two weeks ago.
He arrived at 7am this morning.
“I’ve tried it before, the clarity is a lot lot better [than other headsets].
“[It’s] actually felt like you’re still in the room.
“A lot of people who know that I’m getting it are very excited to try it.”
Ivan, a self-proclaimed early adopter who was second in the queue, ordered the gadget on the day pre-orders opened.
“I haven’t tried it yet, so I guess that’s the most exciting part,” he added.
“Previously, I’ve used a couple of other VRs, but this is different.
“I believe that this is basically the future… It’s mixing virtual reality with our day to day activities, especially work environment wise, and entertainment.
“It’s also on-the-go, so you’re not stuck at home with the VR.”
IMAX-dwarfing screen for movies
The Apple Vision Pro has a near endless string of uses, from IMAX-dwarfing movie viewing to high-impact gaming.
But what both Ivan and Liam will mostly use the headset for, is less so for pleasure, and more so for work.
There is no other way to lay digital content on top of the real world without this kind of device.
Francisco Jeronimo, VP for Data and Analytics at IDC
“It substitutes the need for multiple displays,” said Ivan, who works in marketing.
Liam added: “The work side of things is going to be really good… but also media consumption. Looking forward to having a huge screen.”
Hefty price tag is ‘worth it’
In the days of the iPhone launch, there would have been a packed queue.
Today, however, it was a little lighter – likely due to a shift towards online shopping, but also the hefty price tag.
However, Apple fans say it’s worth the cost.
“I think it’s, yeah, it’s very high. But I think it’s probably worth it because it’s in the Apple ecosystem,” said Liam.
“I think it’s worth it compared to some of the other [VR headsets] where you might be trading that off.”
Ivan added: “I mean, I can afford it so it doesn’t burn a hole in my pocket.”
Analysis: The best experience, for a premium price
Francisco Jeronimo, VP for Data and Analytics at IDC said the product gives the best experience in comparison to rivals - and that's what the premium price is for.
Speaking to The Sun, Jeronimo said: “This is a very disruptive product.
“When we look into the last 50, 60 years of how we interact with digital content, it has been through keyboards and mouses, and lately with touchscreen, and voice.
“What the Apple Vision Pro brings to all of us is what Apple calls the spatial computing, which allows us to interact with all the digital content we need.
“There is no other way to lay digital content on top of the real world without this kind of device.
“And that’s why the Apple Vision Pro becomes so interesting, because it provides the best experience.
“It’s not just about being able to have digital monitors or a home screen, but the quality of that image.
“The quality of that content really makes a difference when we cant to use this kind of product.”
Despite a quieter than expected queue, Apple sales of the Vision Pro are expected to fly – even with the £3,499 price tag.
“In the first quarter, [Apple] sold close to 100,000 units in one single country in one single quarter, and we forecast over 400,000 units [sold] by the end of the year.
“No other company has sold, with their first product in their first year of launch, as many units and generated as much revenue as Apple will do with the Vision Pro.
“And that’s a remarkable success because this is an expensive product.
“Let’s face it, it’s now the average, low end device.
“It has the best hardware, the best content, and there it has to have a premium price.
“But of course, not everyone can afford it, and not everyone really needs it.
“But this is a step forward towards a mixed reality world that we will see in the years to come.”