skaertus
macrumors 601
Bad idea to release visionOS on a $3,500 product. How do you engage enough users to start a whole ecosystem at this price point?
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Apple Has Given Up on the Vision Pro After M5 Refresh Flop
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MacCheetah3
macrumors 68040
I can relate to struggle as my software development efforts have always been a side hobby project because, as you say, “The bank doesn’t accept passion and fun as payment, I’m afraid.” As such, sadly, I haven’t accomplished a lot (yet) in that area. Notwithstanding, that doesn’t mean it not being a substantial source of income should cause a complete/critical boundary. For example, I’m not aware, obviously, of how much contribution they receive, but there are, what I would describe as, successful/thriving (as far as I can tell) donation-ware apps:
Mactracker - Get info on any Mac
Get detailed specifications on any Apple series, Mac, iPod, iPhone, or iPad.
mactracker.ca
Fan Control - Fan Control - A highly focused fan controlling software for Windows
Fan Control is a free software that allows the user to control their CPU, GPU and case fans using temperatures.
getfancontrol.com
There’s also another example I already linked to:
Santa's Village: a tiny magical North Pole world for Apple Vision Pro
Hi all, With the holidays coming up, I wanted to share a project I built entirely for Apple Vision Pro. Over the last three weeks, I created Santa’s Village, a fully immersive holiday micro-world that transforms your space into a living North Pole diorama. It just launched on the App Store, and...
forums.macrumors.com
It has/had a price tag of $2.99, although I doubt the developer is making enough from it to pay most of their living expenses. The app may not be further updated, but I also don’t foresee it stopping functioning any time soon.
I get it, we’d all prefer to have jobs we enjoy or at least our hobbies paid for. If we need to have jobs we dislike. But, in my opinion, using that as an excuse/tent pole shouldn’t be applauded — cough, YouTubers: “We need to do these clickbait titles (and run (sponsor) ads and coerce buying swag err merchandise) so you can enjoy our content."
My “one more thing” on the topic:
Gen Alpha’s Dream Jobs: Influencers and YouTubers Top the List
Gen Alpha’s Dream Jobs: Influencers and YouTubers Top the List
I digress.
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turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
dapa0s
macrumors 6502a
Hajj.david
macrumors 6502a
The AVP is one of the most amazing and magical products apple has ever produced, it is truly a transendtal experience and makes working an absolute joy.
I don't think it's being dropped. It's too compelling of an experience. Owning one is vastly different than using one in a store. Think of trying a demo iPhone vs owning an iPhone. The experience is in no way comparable.
Lack of killer app - largely irrelevant. What's the killer app that makes people buy an iPhone? They seem to sell alright. Regardless, virtual display is awesome and there really are tons of apps. Honestly I do think Apple dropped by ball by not having more demo experiences. The dinosaur app is great, but it's like 5 minutes. Every app I actually use is highly practical, works great for accomplishing tasks, and is incredibly boring to anyone else. A significant investment into useless but engaging experiences with a huge WOW factor (like the dinosaurs) would have been a smart move.
Comfort - largely fixed with the new headband. Easy and natural to wear for several hours at a time.
There is another comfort issue, and that's eye strain. I find my eyes get tired if I'm in it 3+ hours multiple days in a row. That and it can get warm depending on ambient temperature.
Then the issue no one will argue about - cost. In fact, that's the biggest reason I think this idea that Apple is killing it is baloney. Apple execs aren't braindead. They know cost is a factor in purchasing decisions or they wouldn't be releasing a Mac Neo. I don't think this actually massively underperformed their expectations at all. It's one of the most expensive products they make and it's clearly an accessory device to a Mac, a device that costs ~1/2 as much or less on average.
What I think is that it was a tool to test the waters, set a price expectation (if they release a $2500 version it's going to seem a lot more reasonable now), get developers thinking in terms of a 3d operating system, get manufacturing processes figured out, and continue developing the underlying technology until they can build the next iteration.
The core experience is great. The ecosystem is developing. Once the size, weight, and cost are figured out (or even 2/3), there will be a new one. I can almost guarantee it.
Lack of killer app - largely irrelevant. What's the killer app that makes people buy an iPhone? They seem to sell alright. Regardless, virtual display is awesome and there really are tons of apps. Honestly I do think Apple dropped by ball by not having more demo experiences. The dinosaur app is great, but it's like 5 minutes. Every app I actually use is highly practical, works great for accomplishing tasks, and is incredibly boring to anyone else. A significant investment into useless but engaging experiences with a huge WOW factor (like the dinosaurs) would have been a smart move.
Comfort - largely fixed with the new headband. Easy and natural to wear for several hours at a time.
There is another comfort issue, and that's eye strain. I find my eyes get tired if I'm in it 3+ hours multiple days in a row. That and it can get warm depending on ambient temperature.
Then the issue no one will argue about - cost. In fact, that's the biggest reason I think this idea that Apple is killing it is baloney. Apple execs aren't braindead. They know cost is a factor in purchasing decisions or they wouldn't be releasing a Mac Neo. I don't think this actually massively underperformed their expectations at all. It's one of the most expensive products they make and it's clearly an accessory device to a Mac, a device that costs ~1/2 as much or less on average.
What I think is that it was a tool to test the waters, set a price expectation (if they release a $2500 version it's going to seem a lot more reasonable now), get developers thinking in terms of a 3d operating system, get manufacturing processes figured out, and continue developing the underlying technology until they can build the next iteration.
The core experience is great. The ecosystem is developing. Once the size, weight, and cost are figured out (or even 2/3), there will be a new one. I can almost guarantee it.
turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
Are you kidding?
There are hundreds, if not thousands, that could fit the description.
The software situation on iPhone is literally the polar opposite of that on VisionOS.
Really? What are yours?
I'll tell you mine. I browse the web to do research, shopping, news, whatever. I use a few news programs. I communicate with people, write emails, messaging apps, every once in a while social media. Scheduling stuff. Sometimes I Remote Desktop into my computer. I consume media every now and again. I play music in my car. Sometimes I mess around with a music creation app, rarely. I control my home automation system, I use ChatGPT, I use some claude code interfaces. That's what I do on my iPhone.
Those are my killer apps. Maybe you have some other specialized needs? I don't know.
Let's see how Vision Pro stacks up:
- Web, yes. Much better than iphone
- News? Yes, I don't tend to use news on AVP though, since I'm usually doing something more productive than scrolling
- Messaging - awesome messaging device, especially for FaceTime. Crazy good, far far better than iPhone could ever be where you have to like hold your phone up awkwardly
- Social media - works, not a core use case for me, but if you can access it via the web it's there
- Calendar - all there
- Remote Desktop - I use Screens and Mac Virtual Display extensively. Vastly better than iPhone
- Media consumption - core use case. I don't do this a lot but people seem to love it. It's really an incredible experience sometimes, and that's coming from someone who basically never watches content
- I can't play music in my car with it. Point iphone
- Music creation - the apps exist. Vision Pro can run most iPad apps, and there are a few native AVP music apps
- Home automation - has apps for the stuff I use + web interface. I don't put it on just to control my lights but it's trivial to do it when I'm already using it
- ChatGPT - native app
- Claude Code interfaces - haven't tried, still messing with the workflow
Of course, this is just my own personal list. If you measured my time spent on a device, this would cover most of it. You mentioned there are hundreds, or thousands, of apps that are very compelling on the iPhone and which just aren't available on the Vision Pro. You should be able to name a few of them, right?
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topmounter
macrumors 68030
I would hope the avp will be better. It cost a s**t more. Too bad it’s a flop.
It seems the most popular use as a media consumption device. I’d rather watch a
Movie with friends or family.
BuddyTronic
macrumors 68000
Apple has all but given up on the Vision Pro after the M5 model failed to revitalize interest in the device, MacRumors has learned. Apple updated the Vision Pro with a faster M5 chip and a more comfortable band in October 2025, but there were no other hardware changes, and consumers still weren't interested.
The Vision Pro has been criticized for its high price tag and its uncomfortable weight. The device is over 1.3 pounds, and even with the more comfortable Dual Knit Band that Apple added to redistribute weight, it continues to be hard to wear for long periods of time. The M5 chip added a 120Hz refresh rate, 10 percent more rendered pixels, and around 30 additional minutes of battery life, but the price tag stayed at $3,499, and it ended up not selling well.
The Vision Pro has been unpopular since it first launched, and Apple only sold around 600,000 units in total. Insider sources told MacRumors that Apple has received an unusually high percentage of returns, far exceeding any other modern Apple product.
Apple has apparently stopped work on the Vision Pro and the Vision Pro team has been redistributed to other teams within Apple. Some former Vision Pro team members are working on Siri, which is not a surprise as Vision Pro chief Mike Rockwell has been leading the Siri team since March 2025.
There have been mixed rumors about a new Vision Pro over the last couple of years, with Apple rumored to be working on a lighter-weight Vision Air that's much cheaper, but the project was stopped last year. If Apple finds a way to create a much cheaper, more comfortable VR headset in the future, the Vision Pro line could be revived, but right now, the company has no plans to launch a new model. Apple has not discontinued the Vision Pro and is continuing to sell the M5 model.
Instead of continuing to experiment with virtual reality, Apple is working on smart glasses that will eventually incorporate augmented reality capabilities, but the first version will be similar to the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses with AI and no integrated display.
Apple has not been able to use the technology developed for the Vision Pro in its smart glasses because that tech draws too much power for a smaller, lighter device.
Article Link: Apple Has Given Up on the Vision Pro After M5 Refresh Flop
It's crazy in my opinion. Apple Vision Pro are incredibly cool. People just get scared by the price maybe?
The immersion is UNCANNY good. It's absolutely amazing.
My favourite thing is to pull up old panorama photo shots and even really old ones look cool on the Apple Vision goggles.
So it’s basically a way to watch a movie by yourself. The family can’t join ya unless you buy more AVP. Lol
Spot-on. It’s funny how people reflexively pan a product based on a mere *unsourced rumor*. Without doing even a wee bit of research. Always a race to the bottom.
BuddyTronic
macrumors 68000
Well that's it exactly. What it IS, does not matter. It's the price that the customers care about - too bad.
Too bad because Applevision goggles are unreal cool.
turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
People are panning the product for all the things it is and is not, 2 years+ after release.
It’s called an observation. Going back 20 years. Feel free to scroll on by if that upsets you.
I’d much rather read assessments from people that actually own and use an AVP.
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Steve Adams
macrumors 68000
QCassidy352
macrumors G5
The M5 version didn’t fix the main issues, which were price, size, weight (the new strap helped with that a bit I guess), and battery life. It seems crazy to give up on the project without ever releasing a model that even tries to address the things people actually complained about.
ImaginaryNerve
macrumors regular
Yeah, I'd consider it at $999, but anything above that? Not really. Call me cheap or whatever, but at the current price point it really isn't for me.
He liked the tech but was very critical of the form factor. And he was right. https://signalvnoise.com/archives2/what_steve_jobs_is_like_in_a_meeting
The AVP is, in a way, like Apple's Segway. Super cool technology, but too big/awkward to use in most situations and expensive.
100% agree. That’s why I said it was a fantasy. These UIs look cool on the screen for 60 seconds but no one would actually want to work like that.
That said, I still think Apple missed a huge opportunity on the software side. An app like Freeform would be really cool if you could stand inside the document and move objects around. Or photos. It would be cool to stand inside a 3D photo carousel and be able to zoom in and out and travel through albums with gestures. If any app deserved the full 3D treatment, it's Maps.
Instead we got the ability to hang 2D windows in the room. Yawn. Ultimately I don't think Apple went far enough with the 3D aspects of the interface to make the device compelling. But maybe the real issue is, as cool as an immersive 3D interface seems on paper, in reality it's not an improvement (outside of some niche applications or very specific use cases). If I could have the Vision Pro's features for under $1K, I might buy one for those specific use cases, but I could never imagine trading my desktop for a device like Vision Pro.
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Wait, wait, wait, Apple did the absolute bare minimum to “update” a high-priced niche device that they’ve barely touched in the years since its release, and they’re surprised that this barely-even-a-real-update refresh didn’t reinvigorate sales?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Wow. Just wow.
If money were no object, I would have bought an Apple Vision Pro on day one. Even just playing around in the demo units every so often—after pulling my Ron Swanson “I know more than you” card on the poor Apple Store employee that gets assigned to me—I recognize its potential and I very much want one.
But because money is not only an object but the object in my life right now … I simply cannot justify spending that kind of money on a bulky, heavy headset with bad battery life that starts at $3500 with few relevant-to-me apps and little content to take advantage of it and will cost me significantly more for upgraded storage and customized lenses for my terrible eyes.
Apple, this one is so simple to get at least slightly more right, but I bet they’re going to cut their losses on the future of computing because it requires that they actually do some work with it.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Wow. Just wow.
If money were no object, I would have bought an Apple Vision Pro on day one. Even just playing around in the demo units every so often—after pulling my Ron Swanson “I know more than you” card on the poor Apple Store employee that gets assigned to me—I recognize its potential and I very much want one.
But because money is not only an object but the object in my life right now … I simply cannot justify spending that kind of money on a bulky, heavy headset with bad battery life that starts at $3500 with few relevant-to-me apps and little content to take advantage of it and will cost me significantly more for upgraded storage and customized lenses for my terrible eyes.
Apple, this one is so simple to get at least slightly more right, but I bet they’re going to cut their losses on the future of computing because it requires that they actually do some work with it.