What "pro" means for Apple's new headset got everyone wondering when the company revealed its $3,499 Vision Pro headset. While high-level professionals have historically been the target market for the iMac Pro, Mac Pro, and MacBook Pro, the Apple Vision Pro's target market could be more transparent.
Since the release of the MacBook Pro in 2006, it's one of the first occasions we've seen Apple introduce a "pro" product without a comparable entry-level version. The Apple Vision Pro was also a "one more thing" surprise after an Apple keynote, precisely like the MacBook Pro. But in contrast to the Vision Pro, the original MacBook Pro was created especially for professionals.
Apple did not cite examples to support the " pro " designation for Vision Pro.
One of Apple's first Macs to use Intel was the MacBook Pro, which was unveiled with an iMac running Intel geared more toward customers and featured an integrated iSight camera, DVD-burning capabilities, and several digital lifestyle programs. The MacBook Pro needed to demonstrate why switching to Intel would increase power, particularly performance per watt. Steve Jobs stepped on stage during the unveiling and displayed SPECint CPU integer processing performance benchmarks. Apple did not cite examples to support the " pro " designation for Vision Pro.
Why has Apple named the new headset "Apple Vision Pro headset"?
- That's possible because the term "pro" has long since lost all relevance in the industry since the first MacBook Pros. Before Apple decided to do the same with the iPhone 11 Pro in 2019, several phone manufacturers, like OnePlus, Huawei, Xiaomi, and others, began utilising the "pro" designation.
- Apple hasn't yet revealed a regular Apple Vision headset without the "pro," so this definition doesn't apply here (yet), even if the "pro" designation on iPhones has come to signify a better camera and screen. Additionally, unlike the previous MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, and iMac Pro, the Apple Vision Pro does not explicitly target top creative professionals. Even in the work-related portions of its presentations, Apple didn't demonstrate any content creation for the Vision Pro; instead, it mainly emphasised content consumption.
- Though 3D material may be created outside the headset, we only saw the ability to drag and drop it from Messages. There was a quick demonstration of how to send a message using a virtual keyboard. Still, there were no complex "pro" interactions for manipulating text, documents, and images with just your voice, hands, and eyes like we've been accustomed to from professional devices with a regular mouse and keyboard attached.
The updated Djay app for Apple Vision Pro would provide some incredible interaction unmatched by anything else Apple showcased.
Microsoft also jumped at the chance to say it would support the Apple Vision Pro headset, allowing Apple to briefly demonstrate Excel, Word, and Teams using the gear. Adobe Lightroom is compatible with Vision Pro and may be used with hand and eye movements. With these well-known names on board, other developers will likely be motivated to quickly convert existing iPad and iPhone apps for Apple's upcoming headset.
Conclusion
The operating system that drives the Vision Pro headset, visionOS, uses the same software underpinnings as iPadOS and iOS. According to Susan Prescott, Apple's VP of worldwide developer relations, "This means hundreds of thousands of iPad and iPhone apps will be available on Vision Pro at launch." Susan Prescott announced during the company's WWDC 2023 keynote. How successfully developers can adapt them will determine if Apple's "spatial computing" can completely replace or merely supplement our current "pro" tools.