Apple’s Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, initially without a clear release schedule, is now expected to be available as early as February, according to a recent report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The company has reportedly increased production of the headset in China in recent weeks in the hopes of having them ready for consumers by the end of January, with plans to make the device available the following month.
Apple has also emailed developers, urging them to test their apps for the headset using the latest tools and to send their software to the company for feedback, another indicator of the imminent release of the device. Gurman’s report outlines the meticulous planning Apple is undertaking to launch this completely new product category, the first since the introduction of the Apple Watch in 2015.
Because the headset has multiple potential configurations and can be tailored to individual customer needs, Apple will reportedly send at least two staff members from each retail store to its headquarters for training in January. They will learn how to attach the device’s headband and light seals, as well as how to fit prescription lenses. The Vision Pro will be priced at $3,499 upon release, though Gurman has previously reported that Apple is working on a more affordable (and less powerful) version to be priced between $1,500 and $2,500.
