{"id":11305,"date":"2024-04-13T23:05:15","date_gmt":"2024-04-13T23:05:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/design4real.de\/?p=11305"},"modified":"2026-06-20T12:52:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-20T12:52:16","slug":"apple-vision-pro-an-expensive-investment-for-developers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/design4real.de\/en\/apple-vision-pro-eine-teuere-investition-fuer-developer\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple Vision Pro an expensive investment for developers"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Apple Vision Pro: Honeymoon is over
Sobering insights<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"App\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\u00a0<\/p>

A deeper insight into the Apple Vision Pro - An innovation with many obstacles<\/h3>

About two months ago, I bought one of the few Apple Vision Pro models in Germany for almost \u20ac4,000. Now, after extensive use, I would like to share my experiences and critical observations.<\/p>

My impressions and the reality of the software offerings<\/h3>

The first experience with the Apple Vision Pro is undoubtedly impressive. The pre-installed demos, such as the impressive, albeit short, \"Encounting Dinosaurs\", in which dinosaurs break through the walls of the room in a photorealistic manner, show the immense potential of the glasses. The Jig application also offers the option of projecting highly detailed CAD models directly into the living room.<\/p>

However, as soon as the first waves of enthusiasm subside, the limits of the current software offering become apparent. Apart from a few films in 3D via Disney+, if you have an account, the offer is thin on the ground. A look at the App Store confirms these fears: Many apps are just simple ports of iPad apps - not immersive experiences developed specifically for the Vision Pro.<\/p>

Questionable design decisions<\/h3>

For a headset that is supposed to allow users to wear the device for a long time and promises more productive work, it is quite heavy at 600-650g. Metas Quest weighs 515g in comparison. In this context\u00a0the design decision\u00a0<\/span>It is also incomprehensible why the front screen of the Vision Pro, which actually only shows the eyes, and its heavy glass cover were integrated into the glasses. These components contribute nothing to the wearer's productivity, but are merely a design gimmick.<\/span><\/p>

The Apple glasses' low battery life of 2 hours seems similarly unpragmatic. This is probably due to the integrated components such as the M2 processor, which originate from the world of laptops and are not based on Snapdragon chipsets optimized for mobile devices, as is the case with other stand-alone VR glasses. This fact probably also leads to the necessity of the external\u00a0battery packs that users have to carry around with them if they want to operate the Apple Glasses without a power connection. Without this battery, the Apple cannot run as it does not have an internal battery. Here, too, you get the feeling that Apple wanted to boast about performance in order to set itself apart from the competition. They have succeeded, the computing power of the Vision Pro is indeed impressive. However, this comes at the expense of energy efficiency, which is a big minus for the product.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Parallels and missed opportunities, as with the introduction of the Microsoft Hololens<\/h3>

This situation is strongly reminiscent of previous launches of VR products such as the Microsoft HoloLens glasses, the XR glasses for a similarly high price, which suffered from a lack of software support despite advanced technology. The HoloLens also promised spatial computing and was a pioneer for many of the technologies that Apple's glasses are now based on. HoloLens 1 and 2 were never able to reach a wider audience despite innovative technology because there was simply too little software available and the price of the glasses made scaling HoloLens business solutions simply too expensive. Apple, despite its innovative strength and immense resources, seems to have made the same mistake: High-priced hardware without sufficient software support and no \"killer apps\" that can only be experienced on this platform. It is even noticeable that not even apps that already run on the most successful VR platform, such as Meta Quest, were ported to the Apple glasses before the commercial launch of the Vision Pro product.<\/p>

Everything on and around the Apple Vision Pro is expensive<\/h3>

Every accessory for the Apple glasses is expensive, from the carrying case and strap to the replacement battery; each part costs around 200$. It seems as if Apple has thought to itself: \"If you're already paying that much for a VR headset, money is probably no object anyway.\" As a user of the Vision Pro, you get the feeling that Apple is excluding you. Apple's approach of selling a customized Vision Pro for up to 500$ extra to eyeglass wearers is not meant to be inclusive but simply upselling.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

Challenges for developers: Software development for Vision OS is getting really expensive<\/h3>

The challenges for developers are considerable. In addition to the high price of the glasses themselves, developers have to invest in a complete Apple ecosystem, including the latest Apple laptops and a Pro version of the Unity development software, which results in additional costs of \u20ac2000 per year. Furthermore, Apple has made the Vision Pro so incompatible with its own computers that developers can only connect the glasses to a suitable Apple laptop (not older than three years, of course) with a special cable, the so-called \"Developer Strap\", also 200$. You get the feeling that Apple has left no opportunity to let the developers off the hook. These barriers not only reduce the attractiveness of the Vision OS platform for developers, but will also limit the variety and availability of apps for the Vision Pro. XR development environments were typically PC based. Forcing all experienced XR developers to switch from PC platforms to Apple PCs is a bold strategy.<\/p>

Few potential buyers for Apple Vision Pro apps and complicated porting<\/h3>

Due to the high price of the Vision Pro, the number of potential buyers for Vision Pro apps is also likely to be quite low at the moment. Even for experienced XR developers, creating an app for Vision Pro represents a much greater challenge than is the case with other products in the XR sector. For example, it is not particularly challenging for an experienced developer to port an app written for Meta Quest to Pico glasses. With Apple's Vision OS, Apple goes its own way when it comes to XR development, which makes porting existing apps for other VR systems quite complex. Last but not least, the lack of controllers on the Vision Pro, which relies entirely on eye tracking, makes the simple porting of games from platforms such as the Quest a major challenge. Considering that there is no money in the VR developer community and the target group of VR enthusiasts is still limited, I wonder if enough developers are willing to take on the high costs and challenges of developing for Vision OS.<\/p>

Conclusion: An uncertain future for Apple's VR glasses<\/h3>

Despite my hopes that the Apple Vision Pro will be a success, I am skeptical. The combination of high costs, limited software offerings and high hurdles for developers will prove to be a major challenge for Apple's glasses.<\/p>

Effects on the appearance of XR technology in general<\/h3>

The commercial success or failure of Vision Pro could have a far-reaching impact on the public's perception of mixed reality technologies. We have seen in the past, for example, that Meta's sales in the XR sector have been used as a proxy for the validation of an entire technology, particularly in social media. It remains to be hoped that any failure of Vision Pro will not lead to a general disenchantment with XR technology.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"clarence\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Let us advise you.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Are you interested in developing a virtual reality or 360\u00b0 application? You may still have questions about budget and implementation. Feel free to contact me.<\/p>

I am looking forward to you<\/p>

Clarence Dadson CEO Design4real<\/b><\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlearn more<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tGaussian Splatting on Websites\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\"narrow<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tEyeglasses-style XR glasses\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\"Render<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThe best programs for rendering 360\u00b0 animations\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\"3D<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tGaussian Splatting 2026: Its Impact on Film and Gaming\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\"matterport<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMatterport vs Gaussian Splatting\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\"Reflections<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tReflections in Gaussian Splatting\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\"\"<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tGaussian splatting meets generative AI\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tRead More \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t