The Dawn of Apple’s VR Headset
Just when the buzz around the metaverse seemed to be quieting down, Apple’s heavily rumored VR headset, the Reality Pro, is set to bring it back into the spotlight. As the world of virtual and mixed reality continues to evolve, the question arises: Can Apple redefine mainstream uses for VR headsets beyond gaming? This article delves into the potential of Apple’s VR headset and its implications for the future of the metaverse.
The Reality Pro: More Than Just a Gaming Device
Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference is expected to be a hardware spectacle this year, with the Reality Pro taking center stage. After seven years of development, the Reality Pro, priced at around $3,000, is reportedly set to serve a variety of productivity uses. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the headset will offer VR FaceTime calls, immersive video, and an external display for connected Mac computers, among other features. However, the company is yet to discover a “killer app” for the device—an experience compelling enough to justify the high price tag and drive everyday use.
The Challenge of Maintaining User Interest
While VR technology often faces criticism for its sales numbers, the usage numbers are arguably more concerning. A report from the Wall Street Journal revealed that more than half of Meta’s $400 Quest headsets were no longer in use six months after purchase. This raises questions about the longevity of user interest in VR technology and the challenges Apple may face in maintaining engagement with the Reality Pro. The novelty of VR experiences tends to fade quickly, and the inconveniences of using the device can pile up, leading to a decline in usage over time.
The Metaverse: A Perfectly Timed Pivot
Two years ago, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook (now Meta) would pivot into building the metaverse. This move was perfectly timed with the pandemic, as hundreds of millions of people were keeping close to home and away from the office. Video chat and digital entertainment were two of the only things tethering us to other people. It was not much of a stretch to assume that next-generation hardware and software would both radically improve these experiences and command more of our time as they did so.
The Changing Landscape of Digital Experiences
As the world has gradually re-opened, enthusiasm for some kinds of digital experiences has dimmed. Zoom, which served as a kind of proxy for investors’ belief in internet-enabled productivity, peaked at $559 per share in October 2020 — and today trades at $67.83. Vast, interconnected worlds have captured mass attention in Roblox and Epic Games’ Fortnite, but remain stubbornly standalone, 2D experiences.
The Future of VR: A Long Road Ahead
Despite the hurdles, Apple’s track record suggests that it usually gets hardware right in the end. The company’s devices often break through only after steady iteration and support from third-party developers. While the Reality Pro may face initial challenges, Apple’s vision of a world where knowledge workers wear VR headsets all day could eventually become a reality. The Reality Pro may not be a business on the level of the iPhone immediately, but with time and continuous improvements, it could carve out its own niche in the market.
The Competitive Landscape: Meta’s Dominance and Apple’s Entry
Meta, formerly Facebook, owns roughly 80 percent of the market with its Quest and Quest Pro headsets, according to estimates from market research firm IDC. However, headset sales are down 54.4 percent year over year, and revenue from Meta’s Reality Labs division was down 50 percent last quarter compared to the previous year. The launch of the $1,500 Meta Quest Pro last year was intended to expand the market for headsets beyond gaming, but sales estimates suggest that the response to features like virtual desktops and VR conference rooms has been anemic.
Apple’s entry into the VR headset market with the Reality Pro could shake up this landscape. While Meta presses its advantage at the lower end of the market, Apple is positioning the Reality Pro as a premium product with a variety of productivity uses. This could potentially attract a different segment of consumers who are willing to pay a higher price for a more versatile device.
A Long Journey Ahead for Apple’s VR Headset
All said and done, it’s too early to judge whether Apple’s VR headset will succeed or fail. From the iPhone to the Apple Watch, the company’s 1.0 launches often arrive with obvious limitations. Only through steady iteration — and support from third-party developers — do the company’s devices eventually break through.
Apple has its work cut out for it here. The company’s near-term ambitions are prudently cautious. It initially hoped it could sell about 3 million units a year out of the gate, but it’s pared back those estimates to about 1 million, then to 900,000 units. By comparison, the company sells more than 200 million iPhones a year.
Whatever hurdles it has to overcome, Apple usually gets hardware right in the end. The thing to keep in mind on Monday is that, in this case, the end is still a long time away. But as disappointing as the metaverse has been in some respects, the incremental improvements from year to year are evident to anyone willing to look. The journey of Apple’s VR headset in the metaverse is just beginning, and it will be fascinating to see how it unfolds.
