Apple Vision Pro has become one of the most complex Apple product launches in recent times. This product represents the beginning of a completely new product category for Apple, and more importantly, it is expected to shape the future of computer technology. However, it feels entirely like a side product for the company.

Under the leadership of John Ternus, I hope the product can reach its full potential – but there are reasons to be skeptical.

A master of everything, an expert in nothing

Vision Pro can do many truly amazing things – but none of them feel fully developed. The Mac Virtual Display is great, but the headset is so heavy that you don't feel comfortable using it for long periods. Watching movies and shows on it is perfect – however, many streaming platforms do not have native Vision Pro applications, and Apple has not incentivized developers otherwise. Multitasking can be quite efficient, but writing is still difficult – and voice dictation is quite behind.

I could go on. I haven't written much, but about 6 months ago, shortly after the release of the M5 model, I bought a second-hand Vision Pro – I got it at a good price but I can't say I'm very drawn to the product. Ultimately, no matter what, it still feels uncomfortable, and the compromises made reduce my desire to use it for long periods.

Some of the issues with the Vision Pro are hardware-related, but many problems are related to software development and providing more obvious use cases. With strong leadership and sufficient care, I believe Apple can reach this point.

The elephant in the room

It is quite clear that the situation of the Vision Pro stems from indecision. Tim Cook has always had great faith in AR, but the problem is – the Vision Pro is just a stepping stone. It is thought that Tim Cook has never been a product person and generally avoids making singular decisions – it is noted that he leaves these decisions to the executives around him. Ultimately, many executives, including John Ternus, initially approached the Vision Pro with skepticism – at least in a $3500 headset form factor. Therefore, it is likely that everything about the Vision Pro feels incomplete and half-hearted.

John Ternus is reported to have been against the Vision Pro early on, which is the second elephant in the room. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing. It may mean that he wants to lead the platform in a better direction. Ultimately, there is no definitive information about why he was against the Vision Pro early on, as reports do not specify this.

One thing we know is that John Ternus is hopeful about the future of the Vision Pro and describes the current product as "in early stages," also noting that there is plenty of room for the product to grow.

Hopes for change

One should not expect any rapid changes. Ultimately, it will take until September for John Ternus to become CEO, and visionOS 27 is already on the way. Additionally, it has been reported that Apple’s cheaper and lighter headset, Vision Air, has been shelved.

If there is to be a rebirth of the Vision Pro under John Ternus's leadership, it probably won't happen until at least 2028. However, I hope he will give the product the care and love it needs, because if the product is good enough (and accessible), there is great potential for many people to own it.

Sharing experiences with friends and family who do not live nearby is an incredible concept, but it doesn't mean much if you don't know anyone who has a Vision headset – and this cannot change without strong leadership.