The Apple Vision Prois already said to have a complicated launch, with the mixed-reality headset not expected to be available before early 2024. However, one report claims that there are other challenges that may prevent the device from taking off, and that is a large number of third-party developer apps, which are crucial for any platform.

The Apple Vision Pro is only said to ship 500,000 units when it launches early next year, which is insufficient to give developers the motivation necessary to develop third-party apps

With the launch of the iPhone and iPad, developers immediately embraced their software, with eventually led to the creation of millions of apps. Unfortunately, with the Apple Vision Pro, the same spark is not present. Mark Gurman states in his ‘Power On’ newsletter that the Apple Vision Pro’s insanely high price tag of $3,499 may discourage developers from making an effort to make third-party apps. There are reports that the AR headset will not garner the same number of shipments or revenue as the company’s other products, so the current incentive does not exist.

“The answer will lie somewhere in between. Developers may be slow to create Vision Pro apps because of the product’s high price and correspondingly small user base. The device also doesn’t have the kind of hand controllers available on other headsets.

On the other hand, it’s going to be relatively painless to convert current apps into visionOS fare. And that should help make the Vision Pro app store more successful than the Apple Watch and TV versions, even if it never matches the popularity of the one on iOS.”

When the Apple Vision Pro does release, it will feature three variations of applications; one will be unmodified iPhone and iPad apps running as a window in visionOS. The second one is iPad apps that have been converted to run natively in the software, but that requires developers to update the user experience and make certain optimizations. Lastly, make visionOS apps from the ground up that will work in both VR and AR.

Gurman also states that despite these challenges, developers have a ‘decent’ opportunity to make money with the Apple Vision Pro in the long term. For instance, instead of charging users $1 for an iPhone or iPad app, a $20 premium can be charged, with Gurman believing that a high price for these apps might become the new normal in the near future. There is also the possibility for productivity apps to be offered in between the $50 and $250 range, but naturally, given the limited number of units that will be sold next year, it will take some time for developers to transition to this platform confidently.