They massively over-estimated demand [1] and produced tens if not hundreds of thousands of units that didn't sell. This is them trying to liquidate their inventory of components.
This looks like Apple’s foray into smart glasses. They seem to be following Meta’s path — but Apple can win this race via their signature strengths: tech support at their stores when your glasses break, durable hardware and focus on privacy (their glasses could blur or anonymize strangers’ faces in photos/videos who havent authorized themselves).
Meanwhile, my two pairs of Meta Ray-Bans are basically trash now. Loved them while they worked — but they break way too easily, and one completely died after a software update.
Ignoring the new model: which has upgraded screens, a faster refresh rate and a new headband design amongst other upgrades - which each indicate more R&D activity on the Vision Pro than say AirPods Max or the HomePod line. One would still need to content with:
- Embracing 3rd party wide field-of-view, 180°, and 360° camera makers for direct compatibility for content creation.
- Working with Black Magic Design on a spatial production workflow and a specialised camera for simplified spatial video creation.
- The development of not just more content, but more types of content, especially around live events and sports.
- A steady stream of software updates that add useful and forward-planning functionality.
The people that are saying that it's dead are simply choosing not to pay attention or confusing apple's push into widening their AR offerings as abandoning the vision pro.
It's also hard to reason with these people because they suggest (without evidence) that the sales numbers are unexpectedly low, while also stating that the factory that makes the screens is limiting production (again without evidence). This is more the type of speak of PR astroturfing than genuine discussion.
I'm surprised we haven't seen more live AR/VR sports content. There's so much that could be enhanced via the Vision Pro if the app content were there, and Apple is clearly able to throw money around to make things happen.
The content creation engine is really only starting now, it's a pretty ripe "gold rush" opportunity for those that are willing to get their hands dirty. There wasn't even a formalised workflow until about a month ago.
Meanwhile you're spot on about spots, here's a news post from about a week ago:
I would absolutely disagree. A lot of my friends and relatives will spend their evenings (especially during basketball/football playoffs) alone watching sports. Sometimes with their partners in the room, but they're often not paying attention. It's only really the major games (final four+, super bowl, etc) that they'll gather together to watch.
They stopped the development of a successor model. It’s the M5 they continue producing (and the new dual strap), the other parts they mostly have existing inventory of.
