By John Moltz
June 21, 2024 2:00 PM PT
This Week in Apple: The Apple Vision vision
In this AI-less weekly update we will discuss other fun topics like, uh, regulation. Meanwhile, Apple is sticking a paperclip in the Apple Vision Pro to reset it and is also shutting down one product completely.
Still figuring out this “store” thing
We take a brief break in our 24-hour-a-day AI coverage to turn to… Oh, seriously? Back to App Store stuff? Ugh. Fine. At this point I’ll take anything that’s not AI.
Remember when talking about technology meant fun new gadgets and how to set up an AppleTalk network to play Strategic Conquest stuff? Well, forget it, because Apple’s in all kinds of trouble again.
“Apple has ‘very serious’ issues under sweeping EU digital rules, competition chief says”
Indeed, Apple does seem to be having a little trouble not overplaying its hand.
“iPhone PC emulator block called confusing, inconsistent, and probably illegal”
Apple’s within its rights to block a PC emulator from its App Store but it can’t block it from being notarized for distribution by other app stores allowed by the DMA.
“Japan Passes Law to Allow Third-Party App Stores on the iPhone”
If you’re in the U.S. and wondering how much of the world needs to get third-party app stores before it’s just easier to make it global, be careful what you wish for.
According to Apple, it would have to compromise privacy and security in order to implement them in a way that would satisfy the DMA.
Maybe that’s a perfectly legitimate argument but for some reason I’m reminded of a teenager who, when you ask them to take out the trash, just puts it right outside the back door and not into the trash bin. Not sure why.
Visualize an Apple Vision
Prepare to set phasers to “histrionic” as Apple changes course on the Vision Pro.
“Apple Reportedly Suspends Work on Vision Pro 2”
But before you craft your Betteridge-baiting “IS THE VISION PRO DEAD?!” headlines, read the fine print. Which is to say the lede. I won’t expect you to read the whole article before coming to an opinion, though. I’m not a monster.
Apple has suspended work on the second-generation Vision Pro headset to singularly focus on a cheaper model, The Information reports.
And how much would this Apple Vision cost?
The objective is to sell this model for around the same price as a high-end iPhone, which retails for up to $1,600.
More than 50-percent-off would be a substantial difference, leading us to wonder exactly what you’d be left with when you strip out certain components.
“What if we took off the strap and users just held it to their faces?”
It’s possible the Apple Vision might just be sold as more of a concept—a figurative Vision, if you will—instead of something tangible. That could really drive the component cost down.
How about you pay now instead?
If you have “rare reversal” on your Apple news bingo card, please fill in that space, as Apple is ending a somewhat controversial payment option that it only introduced last year.
“Apple discontinuing Apple Pay Later, ahead of new features launching this fall”
Apple Pay Later was always a bit of an odd offering coming from Apple. “You want this thing now and we want you to pay us forever. It’s like we were made for each other.”
Don’t worry, though. You can still fulfill your dream of going into debt to Apple.
Apple emphasizes in its statement that its focus is on the new installment loan features coming to Apple Pay later this year.
The new installment features may or may not include visits from beefy gentlemen who say “You got a nice place here. Be a shame if somethin’ were to happen to it.” before idly knocking a tchotchke off your mantel.
[John Moltz is a Six Colors contributor. You can find him on Mastodon at Mastodon.social/@moltz and he sells items with references you might get on Cotton Bureau.]