Enhancements in Apple Stores: New Equipment En Route for Assembly and Packaging of Vision Pro
After its debut at WWDC 2023, the Apple Vision Pro, a high-end mixed-reality headset, is finally set for its retail launch in early 2024. Despite facing delays, Apple is making meticulous preparations for the introduction of this complex and niche device. According to information shared in Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter on Bloomberg, Apple is actively organizing training seminars for its retail employees in the United States to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary for the Vision Pro launch. The training sessions are expected to cover not only the setup and operation of the headset but also strategies for effectively presenting and selling it to potential customers.
Recognizing the intricate nature of the AR/VR headset and the need for personalized setup and adjustments, Apple is ensuring that its retail staff is well-versed in providing a seamless customer experience. The company is reportedly planning to introduce new equipment in Apple stores specifically designed for the assembly and packaging of the Vision Pro.
As per Gurman’s newsletter, Vision Pro training seminars are slated to commence in the middle of January, with each Apple Store employee undergoing a two-day training session. The comprehensive training will include step-by-step guidance on the retail experience, emphasizing the correct method of placing the device on a user’s head. Apple’s commitment to thorough training underscores its dedication to ensuring a smooth launch and positive user experience for the Vision Pro.
According to the report, Apple stores in the US will soon start receiving specialised equipment required to assemble and box up the Vision Pro, indicating that the headset will likely hit the shelves soon. And while it’s possible to order the device online, Apple will likely urge buyers to make their purchase at a retail store, where they can get detailed instructions on setup and operation from a trained employee.
Last month, Gurman had said that the Vision Pro’s US launch could also be delayed to March as Apple conducted final device testing and finalised distribution plans for its first mixed reality headset.
Meanwhile, the company also seems to have an eye on the next iteration of its spatial computer. The Apple Vision Pro 2, codenamed Project Alaska, is reportedly in development. The headset could feature a redesigned, flatter rear strap, among other changes.
In July, a Financial Times report had claimed that Apple had been forced to make major cuts to production forecasts for the Vision Pro. According to the report, Chinese contract manufacturer Luxshare, Apple’s only assembler of the device, would make fewer than 400,000 units of the Vision Pro in 2024. The FT report said that the complexity of the headset design and difficulties in production were behind the scaling back of targets.