Here's How Apple Plans to Display Vision Pro in Retail Stores

[MacRumors]

As early 2024 approaches, so does the launch date of Apple's first headworn wearable, the Apple Vision Pro. Apple has promised that the headset will come out in the early months of the year, with current rumors suggesting we could see it before March.

With a release fast approaching, Apple is preparing to offer the Vision Pro in its retail stores in the United States, and a filing from an intellectual property database discovered by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris gives us some insight into how Apple will display the Vision Pro.

Based on the design images, Apple is preparing a sleek stand for the headset, with the stand set to match other Apple product displays. The curved stand will hold the Vision Pro up in the air, making the display, headband, and other components easy to see from all angles.

Vision Pro headsets will be plugged into an accompanying battery back, which will be stored underneath the headset on the bottom portion of the stand. Apple will not try to hide the battery pack in any way, based on the images. Vision Pro stands will be placed on a mat, with two headsets per mat.

Apple prepares dedicated areas for all of its products, so we can expect the same treatment for the Vision Pro. Flagship retail stores will have hands-on areas where customers can test out the headset, but stores that are not flagships will only have one or two headsets on hand and it is not clear if they will be offering demos.

Apple is bringing retail employees to Cupertino in January to train them on how to prepare their stores for the Vision Pro and how to sell the device to customers. The Vision Pro is Apple's most complex device to date. It requires fitted headbands and light seals to work properly, and some customers will require custom prescription lenses.

There are an increasing number of signs suggesting customers will be required to visit an Apple retail location in order to purchase a Vision Pro headset. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple will take orders online, but it sounds like customers are going to be pushed into in-store pickup so that an Apple employee can provide the right headband, light seal, and optional prescription lenses.

Apple plans to limit sales of the Vision Pro to customers in the United States to start with, before expanding availability to other countries in late 2024. The Vision Pro is set to be priced at $3,500, and Apple is reportedly expecting to make fewer than 400,000 units in 2024.

Article Link: Here's How Apple Plans to Display Vision Pro in Retail Stores

 

[GadgetBen]

This is going to be the biggest product flop ever. Mark my words.

 

[Wags]

Kinda obvious needs to be on some sort of stand. This doesn’t show how will let customers use or see how works before buying.

 

[ChromeAce]

First headworn wearable? Uh no, that’s the AirPods Max.

 

[hagar]

This is going to be the biggest product flop ever. Mark my words.

This is not a neglected hobby like ATV, Siri or HomeKit. They are fully aware this must become a success as their entire reputation as a premium tech innovator depends on it. I guess within 12 months they will announce a successor and soon after a cheaper model.

 

[rrjr80]

My kid was due for a car next year. Just broke the news we are getting the Vision Pro instead.

 

[Chuckeee]

Well, at least they’re not using mannequins

 

[currentinterest]

Those 400,000 units will likely sell out in the first two months. People are underestimating how well this thing will sell.

 

[klasma]

First headworn wearable? Uh no, that’s the AirPods Max.

I’d argue the EarPods are headworn.

 

[klasma]

This is not a neglected hobby like ATV, Siri or HomeKit. They are fully aware this must become a success as their entire reputation as a premium tech innovator depends on it. I guess within 12 months they will announce a successor and soon after a cheaper model.

This won’t help if consumers at large remain uninterested. I don’t think it will exactly flop, but it won’t become a mainstream success like the iPhone either.

 

[tonie walker]

need to put some meat on my neck in preparation for this heavy metal!

 

[Chuckeee]

Those 400,000 units will likely sell out in the first two months. People are underestimating how well this thing will sell.

If that long. I would not be surprised if they are hard to find after a week or two. After two months I would suspect one would have to pay a premium to buy them on eBay.

I might even consider buying a couple and not even opening the box with the intention of reselling them within a few months for profit

 

[one more]

I am curious to see how these visionOS devices will develop. This is just a first try, aimed at hardcore tech enthusiasts, but once Apple make these headsets lighter, smaller and less expensive, this can actually become a very good tool that could probably replace Macs & iPads for quite a few people.

 

[dojoman]

This is going to be the biggest product flop ever. Mark my words.

I’ve heard this before. Cough cough… Apple Watch. Your words mean nothing.

 

[JohnnyQuest]

I’ve heard this before. Cough cough… Apple Watch. Your words mean nothing.

And the iPad, MacBook Air, AirPods Max. Hell even the iPhone. People always doubt Apple's expensive launches and they always succeed.

 

[iZac]

Smart / interesting decision to display it without the gasket.

a) stops people picking it up and putting on their greasy faces.

b) forces the customer to engage staff and ask for a gasket to fit their own greasy face (the various sizes and shapes which can be stored elsewhere.

c) makes the device look a lot slimmer.

d) I find the gasket design subjectively ugly, like a puckered duck mouth.

 

[AngerDanger]

Kinda obvious needs to be on some sort of stand. This doesn’t show how will let customers use or see how works before buying.

Seems pretty obvious to me, just fold yourself up and under the little stands:

 

[scrapesleon]

I just want them to give the option to purchase these online

 

[eifelbube]

I am curious to see how these visionOS devices will develop. This is just a first try, aimed at hardcore tech enthusiasts, but once Apple make these headsets lighter, smaller and less expensive, this can actually become a very good tool that could probably replace Macs & iPads for quite a few people.

… much lighter, much much smaller, and much much much less expensive for me to become one of the quite few people …

 

[dannyyankou]

This is going to be the biggest product flop ever. Mark my words.

I have to agree. And I have a pretty good track record at calling these things. I thought Apple Watch and AirPods Max would be a success because they're status symbols and easy to show off (although AirPods Max took a while to get there, it's very popular now). I thought HomePod would flop because there's better speakers at that price point and Siri sucks. I said foldable phones would flop, and that seems to be panning out.

 

[tarkeybear]

I am really curious to see if this will provide an "infinite" sized screen or not. If I can get a large screen experience supporting multiple monitors, while being fed by my MacBook while I'm traveling (at a hotel), then I am so there (imagine packing that much screen real estate in your carry-on bag). If it really is just a platform for watching movies, photos and iPhone videos along with limited VisionPro apps, I may pass. I keep dreaming of screen real estate but don't see anyone demonstrating that, so I'll hold my breath...
Since I do wear corrective lenses, I am curious if they can configure a ready to use VisionPro in the Apple Store that I can leave with, or do I need to wait for the custom lenses to ship?
Also I am curious about the audio performance: if I want immersive sound that cancels the environment I'm in, the audio system doesn't look like it would be effective (unless it lets you switch audio to AirPods Pro or something small that provides sound cancelling.)

 

[WarmWinterHat]

This is going to be the biggest product flop ever. Mark my words.

I don't think it's going to be a flop, but I don't think it will be any more popular than the current Mac Pro Desktop.

I don't personally have use or interest in a Vision Pro, but I wish Apple luck and I hope that those that buy it, enjoy it.

 

[Abazigal]

This is going to be the biggest product flop ever. Mark my words.

What’s your definition of a flop, considering this is likely going to be constrained by supply in the first couple of years at least.

 

[Polinsky]

This is going to be the biggest product flop ever. Mark my words.

Based upon all your experience with this stuff? Or based upon Apple hate? These prognostications are so completely meaningless as to not even be laughable anymore. More sad than anything else. Sheesh. Give it up already.

 

[Crow_Servo]

Sounds to me like it will only be sold at Apple at first, and not at third-parties like Best Buy. Just based on the speculation that an Apple Store employee would need to advise you about sizings, etc.