AI: Apple Vision Pro's February ramp

...next AI augmented platform in early 2024

Looks like Apple is ready to ramp up their next generation, technologically complex, Vision Pro platform, a bit earlier than expected. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple is aiming for launch by February:

“Overseas manufacturing of the headset is running at full speed.”

“Vision Pro debut will vault Apple into new product category.”

“Production of the new headset is running at full speed at facilities in China and has been for several weeks, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. The goal is for customer-bound units to be ready by the end of January, with the retail debut planned for the following month, the people said.”

I’d highlighted by enthusiasm for the new platform back in June, especially on the AI centric bottoms up innovations we’re likely to see from both Apple and it’s global community of Developers:

“Whatever happens with Vision Pro, success or failure, the fact that Apple has launched it as a platform for Developers around the world to dream about. 

“And it’s not just about AR/VR glasses. This rethinks how many industry players have been thinking about the Metaverse. And Gaming. And of course so many industries.”

“Just as the iPhone reshaped our computers to Mobile Computers, this likely reshapes computers into something much more close and personal. Perhaps it even helps us connect with others better, as it seems to disconnect us from reality even more.”

“And it’s going to use AI, as defined by terms like LLM AI, Generative AI, and Machine Learning et al, in so many more and different ways than as a Chat Bot client.” 

It’s likely to be as loud a Starting Gun for another round of deep innovation, as the iPhone in 2007. “

And in a separate piece, I addressed the $3499 plus price point for the first version, noting that it’s actually a bargain in 2023 dollars, compared to iconic tech products over the last few decades:

“The Apple Vision Pro is a steal, compared to the first-gen versions of at least ten of the most iconic technology products going back over 65 years (see Chart below).”

As Bloomberg points out, this rollout is as much as learning as much as Apple can about the best way to sell, service and shape the product in its early years, as it’s about a new important revenue generating product in the Apple portfolio:

“The rollout will be Apple’s most complex product launch yet, requiring entirely new sales strategies and equipment. The headset has customized components that need to be assembled and boxed up at the point of sale. It’s also a delicate process. If the Vision Pro isn’t fitted to a user’s head correctly, the device won’t show content properly and may feel extra heavy.”

“The Vision Pro marks Apple’s first new product category since it began selling smartwatches in 2015. The company has the added pressure of selling consumers on a still-novel concept: mixed reality, which melds virtual and augmented reality. Meta Platforms Inc. currently leads the market, but its headsets have struggled to gain mainstream acceptance.”

“Apple is focused on making a good first impression. That includes sprucing up its retail stores, which will make room for inventory and new fixtures for the $3,500 device. In addition to stocking up on headsets, stores will need accessories like head straps, light seals and prescription lenses.”

“The Vision Pro’s multiple sizes and configurations will necessitate more storage space. And Apple will need new demonstration areas and places for employees to box up the headset with correctly sized accessories.”

The other thing to remember is that for Apple the Vision Pro simply extends and leverages the uniquely unified hardware and software application platforms and infrastructure, that serves over two billion users daily already around the global. Using Apple iPhones, Wearables like AirPods and Apple Watches, iPads, Siri, and of course Macs. And Apple is also rolling out its software and hardware initiatives with next generation CarPlay systems that are also rolling out in 2024.

All running on a spectrum of Apple silicon and operating system software platforms that have immense developer support for a trillion dollar plus app store ecosystem.

I’ve highlighted the opportunities ahead in the AI Tech Wave with Small AI running on billions of local devices, supplementing the ‘Big AI’ initiatives around Foundation LLM AI models that have captured most of the headlines in 2023.

The Apple Vision Pro launch is but a new tool in the Apple quiver to expand its bottom up AI driven innovations to come in 2024 and beyond. It’s all coming from the Edge in. Stay tuned.

(NOTE: The discussions here are for information purposes only, and not meant as investment advice at any time. Thanks for joining us here)