Apple’s Vision Pro is still fresh in our minds. Later this month, it’s getting its first-ever feature-length Immersive Film: “Bono: Stories of Surrender.” The U2 frontman himself, Bono, recently chatted with Deadline about his experience with the project and confirmed Apple’s plans for a more affordable Vision Pro headset.
“Bono: Stories of Surrender” arrives on Apple TV+ on Friday, May 30th. 1 On the same day, Vision Pro users can dive into an immersive version of the film, shot in Apple Immersive Video. This is a big deal, as previous Immersive Videos have typically been much shorter, usually in the 5-15 minute range. Bono’s film is a true first for the platform.
Bono confirms that Apple is “dying” to make the Vision pro more affordable
When asked how the immersive experience helped personalize his already personal story, Bono responded that “it made it really playful.” That’s a great insight into spatial content, but it wasn’t the most important thing he said. “I know Apple are dying to make the Vision Pro more affordable and more democratic,” Bono added.
Given Bono’s long history of collaborating with Apple, this isn’t just a casual observation. It’s a significant hint from someone with “insider” knowledge. It strongly suggests what many of us have suspected: Apple isn’t just focused on the current, high-priced Vision Pro. Multiple recent rumors have supported these claims, and now we have another solid source.
Apple’s bet seems long term
Bono’s comments reinforce the idea that Apple is committed to eventually bringing this technology to a wider audience. Apple seems to be playing the long game with spatial computing. However, according to rumors, the company may first release smart glasses. Because of their form factor, which makes it impossible to integrate powerful hardware and multiple displays, this product will not support “immersive video” content. However, the “Apple Vision Air” (a tentative name) is said to offer features similar to Meta’s Ray-Ban. The list includes taking photos, recording videos, and asking questions to the voice assistant (Siri in this case).
Rumors also suggest that Apple is struggling to strike a balance between an attractive price and the technology required to deliver the experience they’re seeking. Only time will tell if the Cupertino giant will achieve such a feat. Meanwhile, other competitors, such as Samsung’s XR headset, will be hitting the market.
