Apple's 'Vision Pro' may not be very cheap even if it is a low-priced model
Apple announced its first AR goggle,
Apple October 2023 Executive Promotions: New VPs of Retail, Software, Operations - Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-10-15/apple-october-2023-executive-promotions-new-vps-of-retail-software-operations-lnrh4t94
Apple's cheaper Vision Pro follow-up still won't be cheap - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/15/23917710/apple-vision-pro-cheaper-no-eyesight-external-display
Bllomberg points out that even before the Vision Pro was announced in June 2023, Apple was looking at developing cheaper AR goggles. The Vision Pro is priced at a very expensive $3499, making it 'too expensive to make this product a mainstream hit.'
Therefore, Apple is planning a cheaper version of the Vision Pro, which will be equipped with an external screen and a chip similar to that found in Macs, Bllomberg reports. Bllomberg pointed out that Apple is moving employees away from developing standalone AR goggles, a project deemed 'too technically difficult,' so they can work on lower-cost headsets.
Apple is internally discussing lowering the price range of the low-priced Vision Pro to around $1,500 to $2,500 (approximately 224,000 to 374,000 yen). In early 2023, Bloomberg reported that the cheaper version of the Vision Pro aims to lower costs by having a lower-resolution display and using iPhone processors rather than Mac processors. In addition, the EyeSight function (an external display that displays the user's eyes) will be removed from the low-priced Vision Pro, and the number of external cameras and sensors will also be reduced.
In addition to developing a cheaper model, Apple is also working on the next generation of Vision Pro. The next-generation model will still have all the features, but will be smaller and lighter, making it more comfortable to wear. Apple is also looking at simplifying the design by integrating prescription lenses directly into the device. On the other hand, the Vision Pro uses lens inserts from optical component manufacturer Zeiss. Apple has only stated that Vision Pro will arrive 'early next year,' so details are unclear.
In addition, Bloomberg also reports on Apple's personnel changes.
Apple is run by CEO Tim Cook and his executive team, but some of the most powerful people at the company are vice presidents. Bloomberg reported that among Apple's vice presidents, several executives in charge of services, operations, software, and retail have left the company one after another. According to the same media, a total of about 12 vice presidents will leave Apple between 2022 and 2023.
There are various reasons why vice presidents quit, some voluntarily, some who were fired, and some executives who quit because they couldn't stand the stress of the job. Bloomberg points out that ``It was an unusually turbulent time for Apple, which is known for its stability.''
Apple typically promotes employees before the fall vesting period, a period during which employees can cash out restricted stock units that make up a significant portion of their compensation. Therefore, although it is not unusual for personnel changes to occur during this period, the number of people promoted to vice president in 2023 was significantly higher than usual.
The new vice president will span multiple departments, including retail operations, software engineering, and hardware technology. In retail, Tracey Hannelly has been appointed vice president of retail engagement and marketing, Karen Rasmussen has been appointed vice president of online retail, and Vanessa Trigub has been appointed vice president of retail operations. All three new Vice Presidents will report directly to Deirdre O'Brien, Chief of Retail. Apple also implemented a reorganization of market directors, managers who oversee store groups in several regions.
In the software engineering division, Jeremy Sandmel and David Biderman are new vice presidents, reporting to senior vice president Craig Federighi. Mr. Sandmel will be responsible for graphics software, and Mr. Biderman will lead the audio and media software technology division. The two will also be promoted to report directly to Mr. Federighi, as their predecessors will retire in 2022.
Harry Guo has been appointed as Vice President of Video Engineering in the Hardware Technology Division, headed by Johnny Srouzi. Mr. Guo will lead the video drivers and Face ID related software, as well as the artificial intelligence (AI) team that converts standard video to 3D for Vision Pro.
In the operations department, reporting directly to Chief Operating Officer (COO) Jeff Williams, Rob Hardy has been appointed product operations manager and Vashist Vasanthakumar has been appointed director of manufacturing design. Mr. Hardy will report to Priya Balasubramaniam, chief of product operations, and Mr. Vasanthakumar will report to Rob York, who is responsible for device housing manufacturing.
In the hardware division, Yannick Bertolus, vice president of hardware engineering, has left the company. He has been responsible for product quality and testing for over 10 years, before moving into the role of Hardware Product Manager in 2022. Bertolus was previously held in the role of hardware product manager by Laura Legros, who will retire from Apple at the end of 2022. Bertolus will be succeeded by Donny Nordhues, a 17-year veteran of the company.
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in Hardware, Posted by logu_ii