TECH NEWS – And if Apple’s AR headset does become a mainstream product, it’s possible that one of the company’s products could suffer.

Bloomberg editor Mark Gurman writes in his Power On newsletter that the Apple team that worked on the Vision Pro has a lot of work to do before the headset can become a mainstream product. It is not a mainstream product now because it is quite expensive (even by US standards, $3500 is a lot), and it should be added that Apple’s first generation products are always lacking in some areas, but that is natural, as is the fact that we see improvements with newer models. The iPhone and Apple Watch have followed this path.

There’s no telling what features Apple might add or change in later Vision Pro models. For example, the weight of the device could be reduced, and the battery life could be increased (as it drains relatively quickly) so that it can be used as long as a MacBook without recharging. These changes may already appear in the rumored cheaper model coming in 2025.

Gurman says that if the Apple Vision Pro becomes a mass product (which could take up to FOUR generations!), it could “cannibalize” iPad sales! “There has been a lot of talk about how the headset could be the future of the Mac or a replacement for the iPhone. I don’t think either is true. After using the $3,499 device for about a week, I believe the Vision Pro could instead cannibalize the iPad. It has the potential to provide a far better experience for the main tasks that Apple’s tablet was designed to handle. But don’t get me wrong, it’s still very early. In my tests, the Vision Pro excelled at streaming video, doing light work, and sending email and other messages.

It’s also great for viewing photos and acting as an external Mac monitor. That makes it an alternative to your computer when you’re on the couch, in bed, or on a plane – the same places you might use an iPad. But today’s Vision Pro is more a preview of the future than the future itself. It’s too heavy and cumbersome, the battery life is far too short, and there aren’t enough dedicated apps. For all its strengths, the visionOS operating system suffers from more bugs than you’d typically expect from an Apple product, even a first-generation one,” Gurman wrote.

Source: WCCFTech, WCCFTech, Bloomberg