Arr, methinks Vision Pro be havin' a wee app conundrum, with scurvy developers shying away from Apple's so-called 'revolutionary' platform.
2024-01-22
Arrr, be the Apple Vision Pro relyin' too heavily on iPad apps, mateys? Methinks there be mischief afoot! What be the secret dealings unfoldin' behind the curtains of this mysterious tale?+
The Apple Vision Pro, a highly anticipated headset, may not live up to its promise of running one million apps out of the box. This has caused frustration among app developers, who may now be less inclined to create bespoke apps for the device. Instead, it is expected that existing iPad apps will be hastily ported onto the Vision Pro.Streaming giants like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify have already shunned the Vision Pro, citing a lack of confidence in the platform. Spotify has also expressed discontent with Apple's 27% commission. With tensions building before the official launch, confidence in the headset is dwindling.
Many app developers share Spotify's frustration with Apple's restrictive App Store policies and fees. The success of the Vision Pro depends on having a wide range of apps, so the lack of specific apps may deter potential buyers.
Furthermore, developers who did not receive a 'developer kit' from Apple now have to purchase the expensive headset just to test their apps. This high cost of entry and limited user base make it unappealing for developers to invest time and money into creating apps for the Vision Pro.
Apple's initial inventory for the launch is around 80,000 units, which sold out quickly. However, compared to the estimated 20 million iPhone 15 models already sold, the potential user base for the Vision Pro is relatively small. Analysts predict only 300,000 to 400,000 units will be sold in 2024.
Unfortunately, Apple seems to be treating developers and streaming services as an afterthought in the Vision Pro's development. The build-up to the launch has been plagued by unfortunate news, leading to a loss of confidence in the headset. It remains to be seen if dedicated visionOS apps will be developed if the device becomes successful. Until then, early adopters may have to settle for fewer apps.