Apple’s highly anticipated Vision Pro headset, launched in February, has only been available in the United States so far. However, it appears that the tech giant is planning to expand its availability to other countries soon. According to prominent Apple tipster Mark Gurman, the company has started training staff from overseas Apple Stores on how to present the mixed-reality headset to customers.
Gurman reported on Bloomberg that Apple has been holding training sessions at its headquarters in Cupertino, California, for “hundreds” of workers from its international retail stores. These training sessions, which can last up to four days, are designed to give Apple Store staff an overview of the Vision Pro headset and tips on how to showcase it to customers, particularly during one-to-one demonstration sessions. The training sessions are being held for staff from Germany, France, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and China, indicating that these countries will be some of the first international markets for the device.
While Apple has not officially confirmed its plans for the Vision Pro’s international launch, Gurman’s sources suggest that the headset will start selling in stores overseas following the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) next month. This would align with Apple’s previous statement that the Vision Pro would be available in new markets later in 2024, with China confirmed as one of the new markets.
The Vision Pro headset has been making headlines since its launch, with many anticipating its potential impact on the augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) markets. However, sales have seemingly stalled in recent months. Expanding its availability to new countries could help revitalize interest in the device and encourage developers to create new apps for it.
Apple Vision Pro
The launch of the second version of the visionOS operating system next month is also expected to improve the headset’s usability, making it a more attractive product for potential buyers. Apple will likely be hoping that the renewed focus on the Vision Pro will also drive sales of its other devices, particularly the iPhone and iPad.
For customers outside of the United States, the expansion of the Vision Pro’s availability could be a major boost to Apple’s sales and growth. The company has been investing heavily in its AR and VR capabilities in recent years, and the Vision Pro is seen as a key part of its efforts to win over a wider audience.
Apple’s plans to reveal the Vision Pro headset in new markets next month could be a major turning point for the device, which has so far only been available in the United States. With improved usability and a wider range of distribution channels, the Vision Pro could finally start to live up to the hype surrounding its launch earlier this year.
