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Apple Claims Vision Pro SDK Downloads Exceeded Expectations Amid Developer Lab Attendance Concerns

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Downloads of the visionOS software development kit (SDK) apparently surpassed Apple's expectations, despite previously reported concerns about developer interest in the Vision Pro headset.

Vision Pro lab
In an interview with Digital Trends, Apple executives indicated that there has been a high level of interest in Vision Pro from developers. The affirmation comes on the heels of concerns highlighted by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman last month claiming that the developer labs have been "under-filled with small amounts of developers." Apple is not offering U.S. developer labs outside of Cupertino, which means any developer that wants to try the Vision Pro must travel to Apple's headquarters in California.

Apple refrained from directly addressing these reports, but Apple vice president of worldwide developer relations Susan Prescott pointed out that there was an "extremely high, three-digit customer satisfaction for the labs that we've run so far."

Steve Sinclair, senior director of product marketing for Apple Vision Pro, also told Digital Trends that "the number of SDK downloads has exceeded our expectations," purportedly indicating that Vision Pro has been very popular among developers. The visionOS simulator has been available since late June, allowing developers to begin building and testing apps for the device ahead of its launch in early 2024.

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)
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Top Rated Comments

G
goonie4life9
40 months ago
More of Apple’s tutti-frutti, phoney baloney, plastic banana, good time, rock-n-roll PR nonsense. Apple makes great products and I really don’t understand their insistence on using these vague statements. It’s like they don’t believe in their own products and are trying to add a facade to what otherwise would be bland products.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
R
Rodney Dangerfield
40 months ago

I want to try it, I am sure it will be great, but I don’t see how it would be a mainstream hit with that price. It’s not like people have some $3500 in their pocket to burn. People put up with price hike of iPhone because they need a phone and the alternative is android. People don’t really “need” Vision Pro.

This will be a niche product, and developers don’t spend their time developing for niche product. They will need to find ways to bring down the price to macbook air (or macbook Pro) range to consider it as Mac alternative / media player.
Disagree...Apple has hit a HOME RUN with Vision Pro and can always reduce the price!

For people with disabilities (like me with MS) and increasing cost of travel, the era of virtual travel will become mainstream!
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B
bobmans
40 months ago
Three digits customer satisfaction? What does that even mean?
100%? 90.5%? 5.69%?
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fwmireault Avatar
fwmireault
40 months ago
Low expectations = positive results
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
syklee26
40 months ago
I want to try it, I am sure it will be great, but I don’t see how it would be a mainstream hit with that price. It’s not like people have some $3500 in their pocket to burn. People put up with price hike of iPhone because they need a phone and the alternative is android. People don’t really “need” Vision Pro.

This will be a niche product, and developers don’t spend their time developing for niche product. They will need to find ways to bring down the price to macbook air (or macbook Pro) range to consider it as Mac alternative / media player.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Unami Avatar
Unami
40 months ago
yeah, “three digit”, a.k.a more than a hundred, probably far less than 200. Also, curious that she is talking about a three digit “customer satisfaction” which already sounds dishonest as if it were an indication that there were probably even less developers and they are counting every visitor and his dog. Obvious marketing-BS like this rather seeds mistrust than confidence.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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