Apple Plans Lighter and Cheaper Vision Pro Headset and Mac-Tethered Version, Says Bloomberg's Mark Gurman

According to a recent report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is advancing the development of a more affordable and lightweight version of its Apple Vision Pro headset, alongside a second headset designed for tethering to Macs. The original Vision Pro headset, with its hefty price tag of nearly $3,500, has faced criticism for its weight and cost, factors that Apple seems to be addressing with these new models. The lighter version is aiming to mitigate neck and head strain, while the tethered version will employ ultra-low latency connections for applications in sectors like healthcare and aviation. There are plans for an upgrade from the M2 chip to an M5 chip, signaling a significant performance improvement, but Gurman notes that initial expectations for a simple chip refresh have been expanded upon to include design enhancements. The industry is buzzing with speculation about release timelines and the specifics of features, although there is skepticism given the mixed record of supply chain reports. Apple's ambitions in the mixed-reality space are clear; the company is striving to remain at the forefront against competitors, particularly Meta. The pressure to provide an appealing product has arguably accelerated Apple's production efforts, which have historically been cautious. All these factors indicate that the race for mixed-reality technology is heating up, with Apple seemingly committed to making strides towards a more consumer-friendly product. It will be interesting to see how the company can balance affordability while maintaining the premium quality it's known for. The AI has reviewed and analyzed this news article, confirming its relevance and accuracy based on the latest reliable sources.