Not just an entertainment tool, Apple sees surgical procedures and training as growth areas for Vision Pro in the future.

Zhitong App has learned that Apple is preparing to launch the Vision Pro mixed reality headset on February 2nd. The company has been envisioning the future workplace applications of this device, including its use in surgery, aircraft maintenance, and education. In a video sent to employees this week, Apple executives Mike Rockwell and Alan Dye discussed the development of the product and the potential growth areas for this emerging technology. When asked about some "cool" ways people could use the Vision Pro, priced at $3,499, Rockwell mentioned key areas such as healthcare, training, and education. "Typically, surgeons have a hard time seeing displays during surgical procedures, as the information is scattered," said Vice President Rockwell, who is in charge of the device. "Apple Vision Pro can bring all of this together and is expected to improve patient outcomes." In addition, Apple informed employees in a memo on Thursday that they would be eligible for a 25% discount on the Vision Pro, which is lower than the 50% discount offered when Apple launched the smartwatch and HomePod speaker. However, the price of these products is not as high as that of the Vision Pro. After excluding taxes and other fees, this internal discount would reduce the cost of purchasing the Vision Pro to approximately $2,600. Apple employees also receive a $500 discount on Mac purchases every three years, which they can use towards purchasing the Vision Pro. The memo states that Apple will reimburse employees for the cost of prescription lenses for the Vision Pro. Apple positions the Vision Pro as a consumer device for gaming, video, and communication. However, Apple is trying to expand its appeal. Rockwell said that technicians or aircraft mechanics can use it to receive "high-quality training they have never experienced before." Rockwell added that he is "very excited about what we can do in terms of learning and education, as it is another super feature of Apple Vision Pro." Rockwell's two deputies, Dave Scott and Yaniv Gur, are researching new applications for the Vision Pro. Scott was a former executive on Apple's car team and later briefly left to run a mobile MRI company. He is now responsible for finding ways for businesses to use the headset. Gur, who was previously in charge of engineering design for Apple's productivity applications, is now overseeing the device's potential educational opportunities. Apple is betting on mixed reality - the fusion of virtual reality and augmented reality - to eventually become a major source of revenue. However, the high price will make it more difficult to win over consumers. The success of Vision Pro will also depend on third-party developers. Although Apple has partnered with many major entertainment providers, including Walt Disney, other companies are reluctant to support this new device. Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube, owned by Google, have no plans to provide Vision Pro applications for their services, forcing users to view their content through the device's web browser, which is not as immersive of an experience. Apple hopes that the groundbreaking technology of these headphones can help win over users. Rockwell said, "We strive to make the product a tool, not a toy. In order to produce a product for productivity or high-end entertainment, the display must be excellent, so we have invested a lot of money to create a new, uncompromising high-resolution display system."