Apple boosts Vision Pro with AI features and improved demos, enhancing usability and planning a more affordable model for wider accessibility.
Apple is set to transform its Vision Pro headset with advanced AI features and improved in-store demos, aiming to enhance user experience and widen market appeal.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is actively working on integrating these AI features into visionOS, though they won’t be available this year. Additionally, Apple is updating its in-store demos, allowing users to explore the headset’s capabilities more deeply and comfortably.
Apple is working to bring Apple Intelligence to the Vision Pro, while it has also rejiggered the in-store demo process in a bid to spur more sales interest https://t.co/uojGMiJega
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) June 30, 2024
Integration of Apple Intelligence
Gurman highlights the key features of Apple Intelligence being integrated into the VisionOS:
- Notification Prioritization: The AI will help users manage notifications by first showing the most important ones.
- Writing Tools: New writing tools will give users better text editing options.
- OpenAI Chatbot: A chatbot powered by OpenAI will provide interactive help.
- Upgraded Siri: Siri will get significant upgrades, making it more responsive and capable in the mixed-reality environment.
These features aim to make the Vision Pro easier to use and more efficient, addressing some of the early criticisms. By adding AI, Apple wants to create a more seamless and intuitive user experience.
Enhanced In-Store Demos
Apple is also improving its in-store demos for the Vision Pro headset. The enhancements are designed to showcase the device’s features better and address some of the early feedback from users.
- “Go Deeper” Option: This new feature lets users spend more time exploring specific functions of the Vision Pro. Whether testing office features or watching videos, this option offers a more detailed demonstration of the headset’s abilities.
- Personal Media: Apple now allows customers to use their videos and photos during the demos. This personal touch can make the experience more relatable and impressive. Users can see how their media looks in mixed reality, providing a unique way to experience the Vision Pro’s features.
- Panoramas and 3D Photos: With the upcoming VisionOS 2, users can view panoramas and 2D photos turned into 3D ones. This feature can significantly enhance the visual experience, making the demos more engaging.
- Comfort Improvements: During the demos, Apple has switched from using the Solo Loop band to the Dual Loop band. The Dual Loop band, which wraps over the top and around the back of the head, is more comfortable for many users. This change aims to improve the demo experience, ensuring potential buyers have a positive first impression of the device’s comfort and fit.
Future Vision Pro Models
Apple plans to release a more affordable version of the Vision Pro headset. This move aims to make the device more accessible to a broader audience and increase its market appeal, since the current Vision Pro is praised for its advanced features but criticized for its high price, limiting its reach.
There are conflicting reports about the specifications and development status of the cheaper headset. For example, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that Apple might opt for lower-resolution displays to cut costs.
Conversely, sources like The Verge suggest that Apple intends to maintain high-resolution displays but has stopped working on the Vision Pro 2.
These mixed reports highlight the uncertainty surrounding the specifications and timeline for the cheaper Vision Pro. Despite this, Apple’s efforts to make a more affordable Vision Pro show its dedication to expanding the device’s user base and solidifying its position in the market.