Launch in more European countries

[MrWayne]

Does anyone know when will AVP be available in more European countries?

 

[JPack]

Probably as soon as more consumers accept wearing an expensive, heavy, socially isolating device with a hip battery.

Apple launched their newest iPhone in 85 countries within one week, so Apple clearly has the logistics in place.

The question isn't "when" AVP will be in more countries, but rather "if" it will be.

 

[MrWayne]

Probably as soon as more consumers accept wearing an expensive, heavy, socially isolating device with a hip battery.

Apple launched their newest iPhone in 85 countries within one week, so Apple clearly has the logistics in place.

The question isn't "when" AVP will be in more countries, but rather "if" it will be.

After using Meta Quest 2, Quest Pro and Quest 3, I really can’t wait for the Apple Vision Pro! The Meta Quest software is extremely bad. It’s like a bicycle compared to a rocket.

 

[opeter]

I personally wouldn't wear such a "head gear", especially for a longer time.

I can think of only something like this, that cold - eventually work - if the price is right:

 

[arubinst]

I've been waiting here in Switzerland since day one. I really thought at the time they released the M5 version that it would come here. It just doesn't make any sense that it's not available here, the highest income country in Europe.

People have been buying US imports. But it comes with several limitations. You need a US iCloud account and services (Apple Music, Apple TV, etc..) don't work unless they are US based accounts. You don't have access to corrective lenses either.

When (if) it gets announced in Switzerland, I will be one of the first to order.

 

[JPack]

I've been waiting here in Switzerland since day one. I really thought at the time they released the M5 version that it would come here. It just doesn't make any sense that it's not available here, the highest income country in Europe.

People have been buying US imports. But it comes with several limitations. You need a US iCloud account and services (Apple Music, Apple TV, etc..) don't work unless they are US based accounts. You don't have access to corrective lenses either.

When (if) it gets announced in Switzerland, I will be one of the first to order.

Probably has little to do with income, but other factors like social acceptance, privacy laws, and market size.

 

[MrWayne]

Probably has little to do with income, but other factors like social acceptance, privacy laws, and market size.

Why Meta can release a bad pro headset globally with very bad software while Apple can’t release globally.

 

[axantas]

FYI for Switzerland: You can have your VisionPro linked to a Swiss Apple-Account with iCloud and everything and it works. You will not see the AppStore with this setup - correct. To get access to the AppStore, I simply created a German account, that I liked with "Abonnements und Käufe". That way - without credit - you get access to all free Apps. For Lausanne a French account would to the same.

And it is not that difficult to get a German Gift card for purchases. With the actual excnange rates CHF>EUR this is a quite advantageous solution.

Works flawlessly here.

There is even one big advantage: There are access-restrictions due to Datenschutz in the EU, you will not encounter on your Swiss Vision Pro.

 

[MrWayne]

FYI for Switzerland: You can have your VisionPro linked to a Swiss Apple-Account with iCloud and everything and it works. You will not see the AppStore with this setup - correct. To get access to the AppStore, I simply created a German account, that I liked with "Abonnements und Käufe". That way - without credit - you get access to all free Apps.
And it is not that difficult to get a German Gift card for purchases. With the actual excnange rates CHF>EUR this is a quite advantageous solution.

Works flawlessly here.

There is even one big advantage: There are access-restrictions due to Datenschutz in the EU, you will not encounter on your Swiss Vision Pro.

How would you deal with the warranty and repairs then? I would rather wait.

 

[axantas]

How would you deal with the warranty and repairs then? I would rather wait.

Agreed. It is not doable with an import from the U.S., but it is feasible in Germany or France. Warranty is no problem at all - you get it in that country and repairs - I own quite a lot of Apple gear and I never had a repair case until now - speaking about 20 years...
I got my VP in Germany 13 June 2024 and it is up and running.

 

[arubinst]

FYI for Switzerland: You can have your VisionPro linked to a Swiss Apple-Account with iCloud and everything and it works. You will not see the AppStore with this setup - correct. To get access to the AppStore, I simply created a German account, that I liked with "Abonnements und Käufe". That way - without credit - you get access to all free Apps. For Lausanne a French account would to the same.

And it is not that difficult to get a German Gift card for purchases. With the actual excnange rates CHF>EUR this is a quite advantageous solution.

Works flawlessly here.

There is even one big advantage: There are access-restrictions due to Datenschutz in the EU, you will not encounter on your Swiss Vision Pro.

Thanks for your reply!

So Apple Music and Apple TV (linked to a Swiss account) do work with an import VP?

 

[axantas]

Thanks for your reply!

So Apple Music and Apple TV (linked to a Swiss account) do work with an import VP?

No, this is the part which is not working.

Your "main" profile/Apple Account in Switzerland - the one on top works for iCloud etc.

There is a second entry "Medien und Käufe" - or what they call it actually does NOT work with your Swiss account. THIS part will have to be linked to your German/French... account.

There is no Store/Apple TV/Music in the apps if you do not add a German/French... account there.

This is the main hiccup...
As I do have all my music stored locally and do not buy movies, I can live with it.
There is no problem to transfer your local music/movies to the AVP. I do have everything on a NAS Server and get it from there.

If you have Amazon Prime Netflix - or whatever: The apps are free and you can login with your Swiss account.

EDIT: TV and Music could probably work with your main account, but I cannot test this, because do not buy anything there.

 

[arubinst]

Got it... thank you. I do use Apple TV/Music quite a bit... I've got some thinking to do (unless Apple surprises us this week with a more broad launch of the AVP as part of the announcements... unlikely but not impossible...)

 

[Le0M]

I've been waiting here in Switzerland since day one. I really thought at the time they released the M5 version that it would come here. It just doesn't make any sense that it's not available here, the highest income country in Europe.

People have been buying US imports. But it comes with several limitations. You need a US iCloud account and services (Apple Music, Apple TV, etc..) don't work unless they are US based accounts. You don't have access to corrective lenses either.

When (if) it gets announced in Switzerland, I will be one of the first to order.

Can't you just get one from other European countries?

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Can't you just get one from other European countries?

Apple restricts what can be accessed on AVP based on country of account origin.

 

[Le0M]

Apple restricts what can be accessed on AVP based on country of account origin.

But you can use it to work and watch movies using the mac regardless. Or would you use it for something AVP-specific that wouldn't work via mac--> extend display?

 

[axantas]

But you can use it to work and watch movies using the mac regardless. Or would you use it for something AVP-specific that wouldn't work via mac--> extend display?

The AVP is primarily made to do "AVP-specific" things, which are not possible without an account in an "active" country. For instance the App store, which is simply not visible. So: no additional apps at all.

Streaming movies via the extended display is not really the way to go.

 

[Le0M]

The AVP is primarily made to do "AVP-specific" things, which are not possible without an account in an "active" country. For instance the App store, which is simply not visible. So: no additional apps at all.

Streaming movies via the extended display is not really the way to go.

If you have a mac, you can use AVP to enhance its screen. This way you can make use of any content.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

If you have a mac, you can use AVP to enhance its screen. This way you can make use of any content.

You’ve obviously never used the AVP, or you would realize that the lack of immersive content and apps would cripple the device and make it almost pointless to own.

 

[Le0M]

You’ve obviously never used the AVP, or you would realize that the lack of immersive content and apps would cripple the device and make it almost pointless to own.

I don't own one, but I know you can watch any video/movie you want via mac.
Sure, it does lack apps an content specifically made for it, but that - unfortunately - has a lot to do with the unpopularity of the device.
But ultimately, it really depends on what you want to use it for.

 

[MrWayne]

Isn’t the AVP way better for productivity than a meta quest if you can install iPhone and iPad apps in addition to Vision Pro spatial apps?

 

[PBG4 Dude]

I don't own one, but I know you can watch any video/movie you want via mac.
Sure, it does lack apps an content specifically made for it, but that - unfortunately - has a lot to do with the unpopularity of the device.
But ultimately, it really depends on what you want to use it for.

If you want to buy a primarily 3D device then handicap it by removing all the 3D content; well you do you.

 

[axantas]

Yes, there are restrictions in countries, where the AVP is not available yet. But it is an easy task to create an Apple account in an "AVP country". Without that account, the AVP is crippled.

WITH the account in an "AVP country", you have access to the App Store and can get all the free apps. You even might be able to use the App Store with a "foreign" credit card (never tried it...)

You also can link the AVP to your Home Apple account, using the foreign account only for purchases in the store. (This is exactly, what I do) There are two entries for different accounts. So, all your stuff on the Home account is available (minus the Apps) and you get your AVP-Apps on the foreign account.

Running like a charm here.

But: That stupig geo-fencing for no apparent reason from Apple deserves a good spanking IMHO...

 

[MrWayne]

So many rumours regarding the next AVP but nothing about when it will be available in more European countries like Switzerland.

 

[arubinst]

Still waiting here in Switzerland too. I've been about to pull the trigger more than once, importing or buying preowned, but the truth is that I would really miss the services that cannot be run natively. Also, I have no French or German Apple Store close to me, so there's also a risk that the measurements using the phone won't be precise and I would need replacements. And the hassle of ordering the Zeiss corrective lenses through France or Germany seems a bit too much. I would need a forwarding service to get them shipped here.

It is already puzzling to me that they don't sell it in Switzerland, but the fact that they geofence the App Store, Apple TV and Apple Music really makes no sense at all.