Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman reports that Apple will likely push Vision Pro customers to pick up the headset at an Apple Store.
Gurman, who has previously said Apple will likely release the Vision Pro in March has also reported that Apple was inviting retail employees from each U.S. Apple Store to Cupertino, California to receive training on both selling and using the headset. Apple sent a memo to retail employees asking them to apply for the “secretive” event. Employees would be accepted only after completing an application and interview process.
In Sunday’s “Power On” newsletter, Gurman said that these seminars are now being scheduled with staff training set to start in mid-January.
The idea is to fly in a few people from each store, give them the lowdown and then have those folks go back home to train everyone else. At the time, Apple told staffers this would occur in early 2024, around when the company has said it will release the device.
Each employee in attendance will receive two days of training, including instructions on the Vision Pro’s setup process, approaching a customer, and placing the device on a user’s head.
Gurman noted that “while customers will be able to reserve a Vision Pro online, it increasingly sounds like they’ll be pushed to pick up the device at a store” with an appointment.
Apple will assemble customers’ Vision Pro headsets in-store, to ensure the best configuration of the appropriate headband, light seal, and optional prescription lenses. Retail stores are purportedly due to receive new equipment to assemble and package the headset in the near future.
Gurman expects Apple to not meet its self-imposed January 2024 deadline but that it will release it before March.
