Virtual Reality

The Cost of Apps for the Apple Vision Pro May Be As Much As Some Console Games

Apps for the Apple Vision Pro could cost as much or even more than AAA games.

So, in some of my earlier posts, I talked about the cool Apple Vision Pro and some other AR and VR headsets. I’ll drop the links to those posts at the end if you wanna check ’em out.

But for now, let’s focus on the Apple Vision Pro again and some juicy news about how much the apps for this bad boy are gonna cost. Exciting stuff!

What is the Apple Vision Pro?

Apple spilled the beans at their WWDC 2023 event and unveiled their super-hyped augmented/virtual reality headset! They’re calling it the Apple Vision Pro, and this bad boy is no ordinary gadget. It’s a whole new ballgame — a “spatial computing” platform that you don’t just stare at, you see right through!

Now, brace yourselves for the price tag — it starts at a whopping $3,500 and will hit stores in early 2024. But hold on, Tim Cook, the big boss at Apple, claims this headset will be a game-changer in the world of technology. He’s even calling it revolutionary!

So, what does the Vision Pro bring to the table? According to Apple’s official statement, it offers an incredible experience with an infinite canvas for apps, going way beyond the limits of a regular screen. And here’s the coolest part — you can control it with your voice, hands, and even your eyes! Say goodbye to clunky controllers.

Unlike other VR/AR headsets, this bad boy won’t completely isolate you from the real world. You can still see and interact with people and things around you while enjoying a virtual overlay of apps and programs. Picture yourself sitting on your couch, watching something, and having a virtual screen even larger than your actual TV. Mind-blowing, right?

But hold on, there’s more! The Vision Pro is not just for gaming; it’s a multitasking beast! Wear it to work and run all sorts of apps while staying connected to reality.

Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger, even made an appearance on stage to confirm that Disney Plus and other cool apps will be available for this bad boy. They even showed off a reel of awesome experiences, like virtually attending sports matches. How cool is that?

Now, let’s talk about battery life. You can use the Vision Pro all day when it’s plugged in or for up to 2 hours with an external battery, you can carry in your pocket. And it’s powered by a fancy new chip and runs on an operating system specifically designed for AR/VR.

Oh, and for those of you who wear glasses, don’t worry! You can get separate Zeiss Optical Inserts to cater to your vision correction needs.

Vision Pro apps will be how much?

If you were expecting the same prices you see on the iPhone App Store, well, brace yourself for a shock. According to a new report, making apps for Apple’s AR/VR headset could be way pricier than your typical mobile apps. We’re talking more like desktop apps or console games territory.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman spilled the beans in his latest newsletter, saying that since the device is expensive and niche, developers might not immediately jump on board.

He predicts three types of apps for Vision Pro: first, the regular iPhone and iPad apps that’ll run just like on M-series Macs; second, converted iPad apps with a visionOS skin; and third, brand new apps made specifically for the headset.

Now, that third category is where things get dicey. Developing those apps is risky and complex, which means they’ll likely cost a pretty penny. The good news is, the unmodified apps will stick to their usual prices since they won’t need any changes for visionOS. But any modified or new apps will demand a lot of effort, and of course, the developers deserve to get paid for their hard work.

But there’s a catch with the Vision Pro. It doesn’t use regular controllers like some other VR headsets. So, developers can’t simply take their existing apps and port them over.

And let’s not forget the hefty price tag of the Vision Pro, which means the app market might not be as massive as the iPhone or iPad anytime soon. So, don’t expect developers to rake in cash by selling millions of apps with low-profit margins.

Now, how much will these apps cost? Well, we don’t have all the deets yet, but Gurman thinks we might be looking at a big jump from the usual $1 price for most Vision Pro apps.

He suggests they could range from $20 to even $250 for certain categories like graphic design or productivity. And brace yourself for games, they might be priced closer to what you’d pay for console games, ranging from $40 to $60, which is way more than the prices on the iPhone and iPad.

Final Words

It’s kinda understandable given the complexity of making these apps, but as a consumer, it can be super frustrating.

Let’s hope that with Vision Pro, developers and studios can find the sweet spot between making a living and keeping the apps affordable. It’s gonna be a tough balancing act, that’s for sure.

If you enjoy my posts and would like to stay updated on the latest gaming-related news, technology advancements, design trends, and social media insights, I invite you to follow my profile.

I will continue to share my thoughts and insights on a wide range of topics in the world of entertainment and technology.

With that being said, thank you for reading my post, and have a good one.

Here is everything I wrote last month:

Here are a few of my previous stories relating to AR/VR I believe you will enjoy:

References

Apple Finally Reveals Long-Awaited AR Headset, Vision Pro, Priced At $3,500.

Apple’s Headset Hinges on Apps, But Don’t Expect Developers to Flock to It.

Apple Vision Pro apps could cost the same as PS5 games.

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