More All-Black Vision Pro Prototype Parts Surface Online

[MacRumors]

A new image shared by prototype collector and leaker Kosutami appears to show parts designed for an unreleased all-black Apple Vision headset.

The image shows what seems to be a Vision Pro's left power strap and audio pod with the attached power cable. It seems to be identical to Apple's existing hardware, but uses a dark finish not seen on any production Vision Pro hardware.

Kosutami previously claimed that Apple has been testing a thinner and lighter mixed-reality headset referred to internally as "Vision Air," featuring a Midnight-colored exterior and reduced weight achieved by switching several structural components and the battery enclosure to titanium. According to the leaker, this model would retain an aluminum exterior but adopt a deep bluish-black finish rather than the Vision Pro's current silver and white.

Earlier this year, Kosutami also shared images of a new Lightning-style connector in Midnight said to be intended for a next-generation Vision headset. The existing Vision Pro uses a 12-pin connector, while the unreleased cable featured only eight pins, which seemed to indicate that Apple may have been redesigning the external battery system for future headsets.

Apple had been widely expected to release a lower-cost headset called the "Vision Air," as well as a redesigned second-generation Vision Pro. However, Bloomberg reported in October that Apple paused development of all Vision headsets in order to accelerate work on AI-powered smart glasses.

Article Link: More All-Black Vision Pro Prototype Parts Surface Online

 

[MacUserFella]

Would’ve bought the black version so my AVP doesn’t look dirty when it’s collecting dust

 

[indefinite]

It could just be an unreleased black Apple Vision Pro Developer Strap.

 

[contacos]

Looks nicer, still wouldn't buy. Are developers even still developing for this product? Not shading, just really curious.feel like it would be a loss maker and not worth the time or investment

 

[AmpSkillz]

I think the most likely scenario is, it’s just a prototype or developer part.

 

[alchemistmuffin]

Apple had been widely expected to release a lower-cost headset called the "Vision Air," as well as a redesigned second-generation Vision Pro. However, Bloomberg reported in October that Apple paused development of all Vision headsets in order to accelerate work on AI-powered smart glasses.

Apple’s roadmap for Vision Pro has changed from what I heard from rumor mill.

What was supposed to be “Vision Air” is now going to be next gen Vision Pro. The AI powered AR glasses is what is going to be the Vision Air, because it won’t require bulky hardware but thin as regular glasses.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Looks nicer, still wouldn't buy. Are developers even still developing for this product? Not shading, just really curious.feel like it would be a loss maker and not worth the time or investment

The couple developers I know that bought one lost interest in it, and have since sold it.

Obviously anecdotal.

 

[cybermansa]

Looks nicer, still wouldn't buy. Are developers even still developing for this product? Not shading, just really curious.feel like it would be a loss maker and not worth the time or investment

AVP is revolutionary. There is nothing like it. Dev support is going strong. Why are you still on the fence? Don’t think you have a use for it?

 

[Lioness~]

No Gold no purchase 😉

 

[paradox00]

Apple’s roadmap for Vision Pro has changed from what I heard from rumor mill.

What was supposed to be “Vision Air” is now going to be next gen Vision Pro. The AI powered AR glasses is what is going to be the Vision Air, because it won’t require bulky hardware but thin as regular glasses.

"The AI powered AR glasses is what is going to be the Vision Air"

The glasses won't require as bulky hardware because they will do almost none of what a lower cost Vision Air (based on the the Vision Pro) would do. Glasses will run something closer to watchOS than VisionOS. They are completely different market segments. Apple may be shifting the their focus as rumoured, but one can't become the other for at least a decade.

 

[richinaus]

Looks nicer, still wouldn't buy. Are developers even still developing for this product? Not shading, just really curious.feel like it would be a loss maker and not worth the time or investment

Yes, just about to. However, if I was a consumer, I wouldn't buy it, unless you want the virtual display or cinema experience. It's awesome tech, but really more of a glimpse 5 years away rather than now.

 

[contacos]

The couple developers I know that bought one lost interest in it, and have since sold it.

Obviously anecdotal.

A friend of mine got one delivered in a suit case by Apple here in Germany. He develops for one of the big public broadcasters here and he said they got 8 daily downloads at its peak and stopped developing for it since. Only recently did Apple ask for it to be returned.

 

[richinaus]

"The AI powered AR glasses is what is going to be the Vision Air"

The glasses won't require as bulky hardware because they will do almost none of what a lower cost Vision Air (based on the the Vision Pro) would do. Glasses will run something closer to watchOS than VisionOS. They are completely different market segments. Apple may be shifting the their focus as rumoured, but one can't become the other for at least a decade.

yes it will take time for all this converge, but it will for sure. I see variations or limits using the same Vision OS.

 

[richinaus]

and I will add this. All this guessing is what really annoys me with Apple now. As a consumer it's fine, but if you want to develop for the Vision Pro [or whats to come] it is very difficult, whereas with Google, Meta and Samsung it is reasonably clear. Apple need more transparency, although maybe they havent got a clue what they are doing either [which is the actual impression I get these days]

 

[dantay]

Would definitely have bought one……maybe two if we’d had colour options.

 

[Rychiar]

wish the m5 would've come like this. light colored fabric on a wearable is just dumb.

 

[poematik13]

Such a hilariously failed product. It was the first time apple's marketing dept literally thought everybody was a tech worker making 500k/year just like them and could totally afford a 3499 headset toy

 

[Astuces iOS]

It looks like Apple doesn't like black !

 

[HappyDude20]

It’s nice that Meta is forcing Apple to go faster.

 

[Downundermac]

Augmented glasses are a horrible, intrusive idea that I hope never takes off. AV headset much cooler. Apple just need to make a lighter and FAR more affordable AVP 3, AVA, AV (or whatever they want to call it) if they expect most consumers to even consider placing an order.. I’m losing interest in tech.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Yeah the colour was why this didnt sell.

 

[Greenmeenie]

I would have rather had Apple abandon the Vision Pro and continued working on an Apple Car. Xiaomi just came out with an electric car that blows away anything Tesla has come out with and for less $$. It truly is a smartphone with wheels. I think if Steve was still alive & Johnny Ive still worked for Apple, they’d have come up with the most amazing EV imaginable. It could have been the best EV on the market. And a real hit. Much more so than the Vision Pro which will always be a niche product. Hopefully Apple will return to developing an EV again in the future. Perhaps when solid state batteries with a 500-1,000 mile range and 15 minute charge time are a reality. ⚡️ 🚗 ⚡️

 

[AppliedMicro]

Apple just need to make a lighter and FAR more affordable AVP 3, AVA, AV (or whatever they want to call it) if they expect most consumers to even consider placing an order.

It’s not “just” that. Making attractive hardware at an affordable price point is just part of the equation.
They also need high-quality immersive content to drive consumer adoption of such a new form-factor device.


Apple is unlikely going to do provide that single-handedly (despite their investment into acquiring sports rights).
It’ll depend on offering (high-profile) third-party content creators and distributors enticing business models.

Among which it remains to be seen how that will pan out.
Especially after developers’ experiences with the iPhone.

Expect reservations about adopting proprietary standards/formats and creating new dependencies on a third-party platform that won’t let you sell directly to consumers, charging a 30% “platform tax” on you revenue.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Can’t wait for iVision Pro 2.0!

 

[WilliamG]

Looks nicer, still wouldn't buy. Are developers even still developing for this product? Not shading, just really curious.feel like it would be a loss maker and not worth the time or investment

I’m going to go out on a polite limb and say that Vision Pro is essentially dead. Yes, Apple can pop in a new processor at I’m sure very little cost compared to what was already sunk into this thing, but it’s certainly dead. A neat experiment and nothing more.