In a bid to boost the market success of its mixed-reality Vision Pro headset, Apple Inc.
What Happened: The Vision Pro headset, priced at $3,500, will now be supported by the native apps of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.
App support is seen as crucial for the success of Vision Pro, which has had a rocky start in the U.S. with Netflix Inc.
The headset, which is set to launch in China, Japan, and Singapore on Jun. 28, has seen a significant sales premium for imported units in overseas markets but has failed to generate significant sales so far.
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Why It Matters: Apple's expansion into the Chinese market with the Vision Pro headset comes amid several challenges. The company has been facing obstacles in its artificial intelligence push in China due to stringent regulations and rising competition from local firms like Huawei.
Additionally, Apple has reportedly been struggling to develop a more affordable version of the Vision Pro. The high price tag and lack of mainstream appeal have led to a re-evaluation of the Vision Pro's roadmap. The company aims to make the headset more accessible by introducing a range of devices with varying price points.
Apple is also in ongoing discussions with several Chinese companies, including Baidu