The world has watched not one, but two mixed-reality experiments play out over the past few years. First, there was the Microsoft HoloLens 2, which has now announced its discontinuation in 2024. Then the Apple Vision Pro arrived to much fanfare but also reports that its developers have gone back to the drawing board. Both reflect the struggle that mixed reality tech will face if they want to find widespread adoption.
The Apple Vision Pro's App Situation
As the Vision Pro's first year draws to a close, it's now clear that it didn't make the impact that Apple expected. It has been widely reported that, compared to other Apple products, app developers aren't creating apps for the Vision Pro.
This hasn't dampened Apple's spirits, and they are quick to highlight that the Vision Pro still has over 2,500 native apps. The mixed-reality headset can also use its native online browser, Safari, along with spatial computing. This allows users to use search like they would on a desktop, where they can find a massive library of activities, including entertainment. That entertainment can range from streaming sites where users can watch TV to a selection of the best online poker sites, complete with bonuses for newcomers that make an account. This means the Vision Pro can be used to research, find activities to enjoy, and then play them using its built-in Safari capabilities. While that's a point in the Vision Pro's favor, it's not unique to these mixed-reality goggles – users can do the same for less with an iPhone or a Mac.
A Cheaper Vision Pro
The concern about the Vision Pro's app support comes amidst rumors that Apple has gone back to the drawing board, reportedly delaying the next version of their mixed reality experiment. While the Vision Pro 2 may be on ice, the same reports state that Apple is focusing on bringing a cheaper version of the original Vision Pro to market. The Vision Pro made headlines for its $3,500 price tag, making it one of Apple's most expensive products, and certainly formed a barrier to adoption compared to the rest of their catalog.
HoloLens 2 Gets Discontinued While Apple tries to refine its own mixed-reality headset, Microsoft has announced they are discontinuing the HoloLens 2, which first launched in 2019. This means production has ended and its hardware stock won't get replenished when stores run dry. On the software side, HoloLens 2 will still see "updates to address critical security issues and software regressions" until the end of 2027.
Every tech gadget sees the end of its life cycle, but the HoloLens 2 is unique because Microsoft hasn't announced a replacement. There is no HoloLens 3 on the horizon, despite Microsoft acquiring a patent in 2023 (number WO2023075953) for a 'modular head-mounted device' much like the HoloLens line. This may indicate that, while the HoloLens isn't coming back, a new headset could take its place in the future. Patents don't always translate into a product, however, and every tech company sits on a library of patents that it will never use.
Compared to pure VR headsets, mixed reality is still in its infancy and can offer a lot of real-life use cases that you don't find with gaming goggles. If Apple's persistence with the Vision Pro line bears fruit, we have no doubt that Microsoft and other leading developers will return to the market.