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>Look at how snubbing developers has worked out for the Apple Vision Pro. It was already a niche device, but it's a ghost town. This isn’t really about that. T

by Swoerd 1y ago

>Look at how snubbing developers has worked out for the Apple Vision Pro. It was already a niche device, but it's a ghost town. This isn’t really about that. The reality is that the AVP costs $3500,- and realistically, how many users are there? It’s much more likely that developers will begin building for VisionOS once Apple releases a more affordable device.

mjamesaustin 1y ago
This is the reality of development when you don't have support from developers - they will follow the money. Contrast this with early iPhone app development where people were turning out in droves EXCITED to build something. Apple has lost the trust and enthusiasm of the developer community by making their lives harder and harder over time. Of course they aren't going to lift a finger now unless it will make them money. The same wouldn't be true if Apple provided them the support to get excited about a new platform.
CharlesW 1y ago
> The reality is that the AVP costs $3500,- and realistically, how many users are there? This is exactly what everyone said about the original Macintosh, which cost $7,695 in 2025 dollars. The prediction value of the price of this AVP model is close to zero.
- xp84 1y ago
  Does Apple have the willingness to sell a hypothetical future device for cheap enough to appeal to the mass market without the third-party developers who have thus far completely ignored it? Just on what comes with it alone. Nothing but a web browser and a bunch of iPad apps. It's expensive hardware, and admittedly much of the appeal is said to come from the amazing high resolution and perfect motion input. That puts a floor on the BOM. And Apple hasn't sold a loss leader in checks watch ever? Certainly not in the past 25 years. And remember, you need more than us on HN to spark enthusiasm amongst developers of the calibre they need. Think AAA game studios, major sports leagues to produce premium courtside experiences, etc. The only way forward I see for Apple Vision (Pro) is if they put their money to work. They can pick: 1. Subsidize it down to upper-middle-class impulse buy/middle class splurge, so about $600-800. This is still a stretch because even at that price it's hard to justify as-is today, but iPhone Pro Max and AirPods Pro sell and they don't do that much more than what you can get for half the price. 2. Back up a truck full of cash to NBA and/or NFL for courtside/sidelines experiences at every game. 3. Back up a truck of cash to the biggest names in gaming to nab full exclusives, and make sure those games are so good even diehard Apple haters can't resist it. Anything besides those 3, in my view, will not launch this platform.

by Swoerd 1y ago

mjamesaustin 1y ago

This is the reality of development when you don't have support from developers - they will follow the money. Contrast this with early iPhone app development where people were turning out in droves EXCITED to build something. Apple has lost the trust and enthusiasm of the developer community by making their lives harder and harder over time. Of course they aren't going to lift a finger now unless it will make them money. The same wouldn't be true if Apple provided them the support to get excited about a new platform.

CharlesW 1y ago

> The reality is that the AVP costs $3500,- and realistically, how many users are there? This is exactly what everyone said about the original Macintosh, which cost $7,695 in 2025 dollars. The prediction value of the price of this AVP model is close to zero.

xp84 1y ago
Does Apple have the willingness to sell a hypothetical future device for cheap enough to appeal to the mass market without the third-party developers who have thus far completely ignored it? Just on what comes with it alone. Nothing but a web browser and a bunch of iPad apps. It's expensive hardware, and admittedly much of the appeal is said to come from the amazing high resolution and perfect motion input. That puts a floor on the BOM. And Apple hasn't sold a loss leader in checks watch ever? Certainly not in the past 25 years. And remember, you need more than us on HN to spark enthusiasm amongst developers of the calibre they need. Think AAA game studios, major sports leagues to produce premium courtside experiences, etc. The only way forward I see for Apple Vision (Pro) is if they put their money to work. They can pick: 1. Subsidize it down to upper-middle-class impulse buy/middle class splurge, so about $600-800. This is still a stretch because even at that price it's hard to justify as-is today, but iPhone Pro Max and AirPods Pro sell and they don't do that much more than what you can get for half the price. 2. Back up a truck full of cash to NBA and/or NFL for courtside/sidelines experiences at every game. 3. Back up a truck of cash to the biggest names in gaming to nab full exclusives, and make sure those games are so good even diehard Apple haters can't resist it. Anything besides those 3, in my view, will not launch this platform.