I suppose Project Looking Glass was more of a demo of Java. Maybe because Java on the desktop had a bad name? Such DEs and WMs already existed (3DWM, for example), and Compiz was also taking off back then.
However, Vision Pro is by Apple. The first iteration is probably as useless as the first iPhone and first Apple Watch. Its for early adopters, and it just has to be Good Enough (tm), with prospect to become better. Compared to say AirPower, the hurdles were purely technical, and couldn't be solved for the first iteration to be Good Enough (tm); so it was canned. Also, once its a commodity, Apple seems to shy away. See AirPort.
> Also, once its a commodity, Apple seems to shy away
Apple only works on something after it's a commodity that they can polish better than others and overprice it. Which is why I'm amazed about statements that they are the ones that introduced personal computing, mobile computing and other stuff. The reality distortion field pays off really well.
It's Project Looking Glass 2.0
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Looking_Glass