Gurman: Vision Pro Launch 'Imminent' as Retail Stores Prepare

[MacRumors]

Apple's Vision Pro headset is on the brink of launch as retail stores are beginning final preparations for the device to go on sale, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In the latest "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the Vision Pro is now shipping in small quantities to warehouses across the United States ahead of direct distribution to Apple retail stores. While the company has not yet announced its release date, it apparently believes there will be sufficient stock ready in the country by the end of January to launch in February. Interestingly, Gurman expects Apple to make a Vision Pro-related announcement "in the next week or so" to "take some of the spotlight away from CES," which starts on Tuesday, January 9.

On January 21, all Apple Stores in the United States will hold an unusual three-hour long meeting for all employees that will likely involve training and explanation of the sales procedure related to the device. Further training sessions are apparently planned for the subsequent days, followed by the reception of new inventory racks and backroom equipment.

Gurman also noted that Luxshare, the Chinese assembler of the Vision Pro, held a delivery ceremony last month to mark the first official shipments of the completed product, and Apple has now purportedly filed design patents "for every hardware and software element of the device," which further suggests that launch is likely to be very soon.

It remains unclear whether the Vision Pro will be immediately available via online pre-order. Apple may initially only offer an online reservation for an appointment at an Apple Store that would involve light seal and headband fitting.

Gurman believes that the launch of Vision Pro in other countries around the world will not "actually be that much later" than its release in the United States. Apple is said to be considering the United Kingdom, Canada, and China as the next markets to receive the product.

Article Link: Gurman: Vision Pro Launch 'Imminent' as Retail Stores Prepare

 

[jimbobb24]

Lets get this party started!

If there are only 250K as rumored i do expect its going to sell out. Not a huge seller but at that small number it will probably still sell out.

 

[spaxxedout]

Of note, the iPhone did the same thing against CES on 1/9/07, also a Tuesday.

 

[vertsix]

Such an underwhelming launch.

 

[the future]

Production seems to be going well! Hopefully early adopters will be sufficiently served and scalpers can be excluded.

 

[CharlesShaw]

Funny, I’ve had a change of heart about the appearance of the mock-up.

 

[antiprotest]

I just want an iPad mini with Face ID.

 

[MrWayne]

It’s sad it’s not launching in Europe. It’s still very expensive

 

[kiensoy]

Gurman should just start his own website instead of the newsletter. gurmanrumors or something. Most websites rely on his reporting anyways.

 

[contacos]

Will be interesting what Apps will actually be available upon launch. That’s what is going to make or break it at the end of the day.

 

[DocMultimedia]

Still no word on cost of prescription lenses. $499? I'm guessing it will be ridiculous.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Bring it on: the first entirely new thing from Apple in a very, VERY long time... 6-7 years of Apple R&D time in the making.

While I lean pretty positive on what is known about it already, I look forward to actually trying one to pass final judgement with my own eyes. Hopefully it does what I would seek out of it very well.

 

[ryan102]

Just like Tim Cook, I wouldn't be seen dead wearing it but I'm tempted to buy purely keep it in it's box and sell in 10yrs or so.

 

[jimbobb24]

Still no word on cost of prescription lenses. $499? I'm guessing it will be ridiculous.

Sadly I expect you will be 100% correct. It will horrify us initially. However....thats not something special apple will have control over. 3rd parties will be available pretty soon just like for all the AR/VR devices. But at the start I wouldn't be surprised if your price was right.

 

[jz0309]

Cool, I really want to try it out first hand, doubt that I cough up the money but we shall see … only piece of tech that is in my radar this year is a new iPhone, but my 13PM still is fine, so let’s see

 

[victorvictoria]

All I want for Christmas is a Vision Pro
So I can sell it on eBay (for $10,000)!

 

[vegetassj4]

The Vision Pro Plus will launch 6 months later:

and....I don't know, with all of the Patent/Trademark litigation against Apple recently, the Warner/DC Universe might have a claim:

 

[till]

Even if Zeiss would normally charge a fortune for such lenses, I suspect Apple will be willing to subsidize that so the cost isn't more than $99. It's well worth a few million dollars to avoid the significant negative press they'd get from charging $500 for people who need glasses. This is an accessibility issue!

 

[profets]

I just want an iPad mini with Face ID.

Lol let’s not forget OLED and 120Hz. We can dream at least.

 

[scrapesleon]

so it will be launching next week on the 16th

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

Let’s go! Can’t wait to get this. A revolutionary mind blowing new platform. I’m wondering the first corporations that will start handing out to employees. Infinite screens(monitors) just might help with productivity( ya think?)

 

[kagharaht]

I wish I can be around another 20 or more years to see what this thing will be like by then. It's an amazing piece of TECH what Apple is doing. I suppose as long as Apple is hugely profitable in other areas they can do these projects even if its not profitable?

 

[Korican100]

IM BUYING THE **** OUT OF THIS

 

[lfaa]

It’s sad it’s not launching in Europe. It’s still very expensive

If you already have the money to buy it and the amount of time ahead to use it, you likely could plan a roundtrip to NY!

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Will be interesting what Apps will actually be available upon launch. That’s what is going to make or break it at the end of the day.

No. Although having a killer initial app or two (unlikely) would be very cool, initial apps will not be what AVP is about. It is about the hardware. AVP is about a new long-term product category for Apple.