A lot to unpack there, but my main takeaway is the cost and functionality tradeoffs. It seems absurd to me that they could be looking to cut the specs down to effectively a Quest 3 and still struggle to come in at 3x the price.

Tethering to a mac or iPhone might not be the worst idea, as the headset becomes less of a headset and more of a mobile monitor or workstation. That certainly not worth $3500, but it could be worth $1k to a lot of people. Kill a lot of the sensors and finger gestures (or scale them back) and switch to a more mouse and keyboard interface and I think it might actually do well. Oddly, it's probably an easier sell as an accessory like the watch than a standalone product like an iPhone.

I don't think the Pro line is viable beyond a very wealthy and niche market. If they're pushing it back by a year or more, it might be effectively dead even if they're not admitting it. It's just way too much for what is always going to be a novelty.

Trying to focus the purpose of the Vision Pro on FaceTime and video watching is... probably not going to work. It's too ****ing expensive. Even a $1500 slimmed down version is too expensive. I can buy a really nice, really big TV for watching videos and movies and share it with the whole family for that price. No one really needs (or probably wants) a headset for an uncanny valley FaceTime session. The strategy that Apple used to make a market for the watch won't work for the Vision Pro or any Vision for that matter because it's not a (relatively) cheap, unobtrusive accessory that gives constant access and convenience. It's the exact opposite, and the justification for it is going to need to be something beyond simple leisure activities. The watch filled a small niche that nothing else did, and it did it cheap enough to be worth it to a lot of users. A headset that's as expensive as a phone or computer that's trying to be a personal TV just isn't the same.

I'm wasteful when it comes to gadgets. Only practical need a computer that can type and excel quickly, access server. Can probably do it on a tablet, just don't.

I upgrade my iPhone every year. Unnecessarily.

I upgrade my MacBook every 3 years or so. Have a 2021 m1 Pro 10 core. Probably unnecessary to upgrade, but I do usually when performance doubles. I'm guessing this release will meet that bar.

I upgrade my watch every couple of years. Have an Ultra 2. Had series 7, series 5 and 3 before. I have no real reason for doing so with new features I rarely use, but did the ultra as a replacement for one I busted.

I have old iPads, but rarely used them and now have no need for them. I have no need for a Vision. I want both of these devices, but even my woefully wasteful new gadget user recognizes this is unnecessary.

This feels like the most appropriate place for this:



I still don't know how big of a market there is for this stuff out there, but Meta is definitely doing some interesting stuff here (and in my opinion is years beyond Apple). To me, the most interesting is the Orion. Get that to fit into some decent looking glasses, and you might finally have something the masses will be interested in.

The Quest 3 is really a great product. What it's done for the world of Flight Sim and Racing Sim alone is incredible. Can't wait to see what the future holds as this technology matures.

aggieforester05 said:

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The Quest 3 is really a great product. What it's done for the world of Flight Sim and Racing Sim alone is incredible. Can't wait to see what the future holds as this technology matures.

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How is the Quest 3 helping racing and flight sims? I've got a Quest 2, and F1 was just ok with it.

Azariah said:

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aggieforester05 said:

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The Quest 3 is really a great product. What it's done for the world of Flight Sim and Racing Sim alone is incredible. Can't wait to see what the future holds as this technology matures.

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How is the Quest 3 helping racing and flight sims? I've got a Quest 2, and F1 was just ok with it.

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Immersion and depth perception. I mostly fly choppers and they're so much easier to control when you can see everything. The only downside is the resolution makes it hard to read small text including some gauges and most switches at this point. You can get closer but they're hard to read at a quick glance. It's better to do autopilot ILS approaches on a flat screen but hand flying VFR VR is better.

Racing, I just like the immersion and depth perception. I'm very casual and do not do competitive races due to time constraints.

This is the way. Combine the new ultra-wide display feature from the Vision Pro with Apple-made, iPhone-connected glasses. I already wear glasses most of the time, so I'd have no problem putting on a slightly bulkier pair when working. (And yes, I'm sure there's a version of this already out there, I just want the Apple version, with the resolution and ecosystem they offer.)

Apple is reportedly working on iPhone connected glasses-like device according to @markgurman

The iPhone connection aims to offload computing components, and could "reinforce the iPhone as the center of its product ecosystem"

Apple has also begun a new internal study,… pic.twitter.com/sRtryCcZCF

— Apple Vision Report (@spatialreport) November 4, 2024

Vision Pro was a waste of time. Smart glasses are the perfect iPhone accessory for viewing context and augmented reality (audio and/or visual). This is where Apple should’ve started with a view to something like this eventually replacing smartphones altogether. https://t.co/Jv9ZFfDhw3

— SJV (@t3mporarybl1p) November 5, 2024

Apple's reportedly looking to develop its own line of smart glasses

It comes after Meta and Snap previewed their latest AR glasses back in September

Are we looking at the next big wearable tech category? pic.twitter.com/xGGCdW3oZm

— Morning Brew ☕️ (@MorningBrew) November 5, 2024

The Ultrawide Mac Virtual Display on
Apple Vision Pro is here, and it’s glorious. pic.twitter.com/xQCccZtqAH

— Justin Ryan ᯅ (@justinryanio) November 4, 2024

Apple Vision Pro's new Ultra Wide mode is exactly what I was hoping for!!

Major upgrade 😍 pic.twitter.com/rKu4vR149b

— Cas and Chary XR (@CasandChary) November 5, 2024

Apple Vision Pro takes Mac gaming to another level 🎮

You can game on an ultrawide OLED monitor of any size, place it anywhere, even on the ceiling. Or on a massive IMAX screen in a dark theater, or on the moon. That’s a futuristic experience. pic.twitter.com/cAp2in0qyj

— Ben Geskin (@BenGeskin) November 6, 2024

Bought a Vision Pro recently to pair with my Mac Mini for working on a larger screen; also to be able to lay around and watch movies/tv just about anywhere. Watched the Metallica immersive video and a few others which were pretty awesome, but they need to work on the close up interview proportions of the Apple immersive videos (people are twice their normal size).

One of the better apps I have seen so far allows you to look at a 3D map of almost any major airport and see a realtime version of flights on a landing approach to the airport (along with some other planes in the airspace above). Can even bring up a flight schedule of departures/arrivals and listen to the tower coms.

Looking forward to the Retrocade app coming out soon:

The app developer of RetroCade must be a fan of Ready Player One (the novel), there's an entire subplot to the story involving a VR Arcade room/museum.

Cool concept. But a real world retro arcade would be so much better.

I'd almost forgotten this thread existed. I guess now that we're finally in early 2026 we'll be seeing that cheaper consumer version any day now. Anyone know how Vision Pro sales are going?

Yes, but do not have one of those close by and this one is "free" from the Apple Arcade.

Apple is releasing AR smart glasses either later this year or early next (about the size of a pair of a thick pair of sunglasses), and much of what they perfected through the Vision Pro, in terms of spatial computing, will be carried forward into the glasses. As has been noted time and again since Apple first introduced the Vision Pro, they're playing the long game here. They had to start somewhere, and now the glasses will be a lighter version that will rely heavily on voice interaction and always-on AI features, which are obviously/increasingly becoming a part of our daily lives. Never mind that the smart glasses market already exists, and once Apple eliminates whatever friction is left, that market will explode, especially as AI continues to take off, finally gains continuous memory, etc. Not to mention that further, slimmer models of the Vision Pro will no doubt be released in the coming years as well.

Again, Apple could have simply kept testing this tech in their labs for a decade plus, or they could have had the public help them do it, and they chose the latter. Come the 2030s, this tech, be it in glasses or contact lenses, combined with AGI (artificial general intelligence - the next evolution of AI), is going to be revolutionary/light as a feather, and I guarantee you everyone and their dog will own a version in some form or fashion. And when that time comes, Apple will be the clear leader because of the work they put in now.

Ha, already been down that road. Unless you're a huge showrunner or have a massive/buzzy names attached, Apple is notoriously difficult to deal with. In fact, we had a show with Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons attached, from a showrunner who created two hit shows for Apple, and even those three names weren't big enough. Apple wanted Emma Stone or no one, then Stone passed and that was that. No dice. Apple is stubborn as hell in that regard so we don't even take things to them anymore.

tk for tu juan said:

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Bought a Vision Pro recently to pair with my Mac Mini for working on a larger screen; also to be able to lay around and watch movies/tv just about anywhere. Watched the Metallica immersive video and a few others which were pretty awesome, but they need to work on the close up interview proportions of the Apple immersive videos (people are twice their normal size).

One of the better apps I have seen so far allows you to look at a 3D map of almost any major airport and see a realtime version of flights on a landing approach to the airport (along with some other planes in the airspace above). Can even bring up a flight schedule of departures/arrivals and listen to the tower coms.

Looking forward to the Retrocade app coming out soon:

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How is this better than just playing on your TV?

Because you take those screens with you, wherever you go. Anywhere in the house or anywhere in the world, you have your screens without wires, power outlets, lugging **** around, etc.

Lathspell said:

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Because you take those screens with you, wherever you go. Anywhere in the house or anywhere in the world, you have your screens without wires, power outlets, lugging **** around, etc.

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Ok, then I'll rephrase my question. How is it better than playing on a Switch?

You're still using a PlayStation controller. It's not going to feel like it's a real arcade machine. It won't feel like you're standing at a real arcade with a joystick mashing buttons. At best, it's going to feel like you're standing in front of a TV with a PlayStation controller. Just buy a Switch or a Steam Deck, or one of the hundreds of classic arcade options already out there.

Lol. The entire purpose of the device isn't to create digital arcade games. That's just a specific app/program. There are an unlimited number of applications for AR glasses.

Lol, no.

Their smart glasses and the Vision Pro are completely different, unrelated products. Their smart glasses are going to be closer to Meta's and pretty much an Apple watch for your face. That's *if* they even have a display in their initial model, and some reports say they won't. They are also likely to be tethered to another device like your phone.

You're putting words in my mouth. Of course they're different. I didn't say "Vision Pro but glasses." Re: what will be "carried forward" - again, "in terms of spatial computing" - will be similar ecosystems, foundations, eye/gesture controls, LiDAR elements, design elements, integration with iPhone/Macs, etc. Otherwise, of course no one's going to be immersed in virtual atmospheres or watching IMAX movies on a pair of glasses yet.

ABATTBQ11 said:

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I'd almost forgotten this thread existed. I guess now that we're finally in early 2026 we'll be seeing that cheaper consumer version any day now. Anyone know how Vision Pro sales are going?

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Just stumbled upon this thread and just so happened to see these things, having never even heard of them before, at my local Apple Store a couple weeks ago while upgrading an iPad. I asked the guy helping me if they ever actually sold any. He said he sees, maybe one or two sold per month.

I didn't know that they'd already been released. Don't know anyone that has them and haven't seen them out in the wild.

TCTTS said:

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You're putting words in my mouth. Of course they're different. I didn't say "Vision Pro but glasses." Re: what will be "carried forward" - again, "in terms of spatial computing" - will be similar ecosystems, foundations, eye/gesture controls, LiDAR elements, design elements, integration with iPhone/Macs, etc. Otherwise, of course no one's going to be immersed in virtual atmospheres or watching IMAX movies on a pair of glasses yet.

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Except none of that is going into their glasses. They're not just different, they're completely unrelated.

These will be mostly an extension of your phone, like Meta's Ray-Bans, not a standalone product (though they'll likely have very limited standalone capabilities). They may or may not even have a display (I think they will), and even that display will have no basis in the Vision Pro's because it will (almost certainly) be some kind of projection, not micro-OLED.

The only new thing Apple would bring to the table is integration with themselves. I seriously doubt they would include LiDAR because it is too much of a power hog. Even if they passed processing and compute off to your phone, you're still killing your battery life there and/or in the glasses. Always-on camera sensors for finger gestures suffer the same problem. Try leaving your camera on and seeing how long your phone battery lasts, then consider that the battery in typical smart glasses is 15x-20x smaller in terms of power. Always-on display would also be a battery killer.

I think the most you'll be able to do is basic functions (read texts, notifications, etc), pictures/video on command, and camera assisted AI, but none of that is really new in any way. You'll probably have standalone features for pictures or short videos, but most advanced features will require another device and internet connection. Other smart glasses already do all of this, and none of them needed a Vision Pro to figure it out.


About the only thing I can see them doing that is different is connecting to a Mac and trying to run as AR/MR glasses to anchor additional screens and extend functionality (this would be the only useful scenario for LiDAR). While cool and useful, I see issues with battery life while doing that because, again, even if compute is offloaded the sensors (and display) would need to remain on the entire time to maintain orientation and anchor whatever screens or functions you're using. There is also the potential for latency and rendering issues that would make that kind of setup uncomfortable. Again though, you don't need a Vision Plus type product to figure all of that out. Even Vision OS seems a little superfluous because at that point you're running a peripheral from Mac OS or iOS, not connecting two independent computers. Just write drivers to interface and process input.

Another potential differentiator would be an automatic save/stream to iCloud over Wi-Fi for standalone use, but that would require a Wi-Fi module and additional power drain for a niche use. Kind of doubt that happens, but maybe.

TXAG 05 said:

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I didn't know that they'd already been released. Don't know anyone that has them and haven't seen them out in the wild.

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Vision Pro was released 2 years ago and never really took off Apple estimated like a million units a year and sold maybe 45k last quarter. Apple is expected to announce a set of smart glasses similar to what Meta has. Some expect them to have display-less and display enabled versions, with display-less around $700 and display enabled around $1000. Meta's original glasses came out in late 2023 and didn't include a display, just cameras, mics, and speakers. Last year they announced a new version ($800) that has a full color display that will basically act like a smart watch but for your face. It'll provide a small HUD for texts and notifications, as well as things like navigation. You can also use Meta AI straight from the glasses through your phone to do searches on what your looking at. It's pretty cool stuff, though I don't personally have a desire for it.