Apple's Vision Pro Developer Strap May Receive an Upgrade Next Week

[MacRumors]

Apple may be planning to release an updated Developer Strap for the Vision Pro next week, according to a hint on its website.

On its visionOS resources page for developers, Apple says the Developer Strap will be available to order again starting Wednesday, October 22, which is the same day that the Vision Pro with the M5 chip will be released. Accordingly, it seems likely that Apple plans to release an updated version of the accessory next week.

Apple first released the Developer Strap in February 2024, when the original Vision Pro with the M2 chip launched in the United States. The optional accessory provides a USB-C connection between the Vision Pro and a Mac, for app development and diagnostic purposes. It can only be purchased by Apple Developer Program members.

It is unclear what new features or changes the updated Developer Strap would have, or if it will remain priced at $299 in the United States. It also remains to be seen if the new version of the accessory is compatible with the original Vision Pro.

As noted on Reddit, the current Developer Strap is limited to USB 2.0 speeds of up to 480 Mbps, even though it technically could support Thunderbolt.

Article Link: Apple's Vision Pro Developer Strap May Receive an Upgrade Next Week

 

[Slippery Gimp]

Is there any word on a new Apple Cloth yet?

 

[ridgero]

The Vision Pro is dead, long live the Strap.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

This is interesting as it’s been said before that the developer strap is capable of more and it appeared to be software limited. When a Thunderbolt cable is connected to the current one, it reports it is capable of DisplayPort and USB-3.

 

[JustinKent]

An updated Developer Strap would be very welcomed, but was definitely not on my bingo card!

 

[JustinKent]

Is there any word on a new Apple Cloth yet?

Apple Cloth has been added to the Vintage list... long time since the last refresh. 😅

 

[klasma]

Is there any word on a new Apple Cloth yet?

They should make a black one. Or maybe orange.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

They're going to call it the iStrap-on.

 

[Corefile]

> the current Developer Strap is limited to USB 2.0 speeds of up to 480 Mbps

It's things like this where Apple are taking the Michael. There is no reason for anything less than USB3.1 minimum. Considering this piece of HW cost 3500 bucks, Apple should have max spec'd it out. Tragic.

 

[Mr_Ed]

They should make a black one. Or maybe orange.

As long as the orange one changes color over time.

 

[klasma]

As long as the orange one changes color over time.

Depends on whether you use the cloth or not.

 

[i-Liam]

Such cutting edge innovation at Apple.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

As long as the orange one changes color over time.

It does, but only when you tilt it to the side

 

[seek3r]

> the current Developer Strap is limited to USB 2.0 speeds of up to 480 Mbps

It's things like this where Apple are taking the Michael. There is no reason for anything less than USB3.1 minimum. Considering this piece of HW cost 3500 bucks, Apple should have max spec'd it out. Tragic.

The flip side is that for its *current* purpose that’s fine. It’s a dev and diagnostic port, complaining it’s not faster is like complaining that an RS232 port on a managed network switch is too slow just because the switch handles 40gbe

I also wonder if they limited it so that they didnt have to load higher level drivers and more complicated APIs beyond basic USB for the port, making the debug port itself easier to debug.

 

[klm9210]

Strap it on, see the stars

 

[aeralto]

We are now in the ensh*ttification era of Vision Pro where the updates are designed to part whales of their $3499 + $299 all over again!

 

[svish]

Probably. It will most likely have improved speeds. Price should be the same as now.

 

[Ted_Appleseed]

Looks like it will get USB 3.0 transmission speed. It's definitely needed for XR apps. I'm actually today years old to know that the current version is USB 2.0.

 

[mw360]

Do I have this right? You pay $299 for an adapter for a proprietary interface on the headset that only exists so they can charge you $299 for the adapter?

 

[joiwomcow]

A "developer strap," eh? Surely if you've bought a vision pro, you're massochist enough...

 

[SoldOnApple]

I guess it makes sense that a good strap is key to this technology, until we can somehow have regular glasses beam an image into our eyes and block light somehow when needed. Some kind of technology that is science fiction right now.

 

[Reason077]

$299! Another insanely overpriced USB cable from Apple.

 

[Reason077]

A "developer strap," eh? Surely if you've bought a vision pro, you're massochist enough...

The "developer strap" is exactly what the guys who came up with Liquid Glass should be receiving right now.

 

[Mr_Ed]

$299! Another insanely overpriced USB cable from Apple.

It’s worse than that. Don’t forget you have to be registered in the developer program to order it, so that’s an additional $99/year.

You would think Apple wants to encourage development and exploration of additional use cases for this device, yet you have to pay extra and add hardware to actually use it for that purpose. The AVP is a large device no matter how you look at it. They managed to make allowances for the goofy screen showing your eyes but they couldn’t simply have an extra built-in fully capable USB-C port somewhere?

 

[Nik]

There are Vision Pro developers?