Apple introduced its augmented reality headset, called Apple Vision Pro, at this year’s WWDC 2023. The device aims to seamlessly blend the real and digital worlds and resembles a pair of ski goggles. CEO Tim Cook described it as the first Apple product that users look through rather than at. However, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, expressed his dissatisfaction with Apple Vision Pro during a companywide meeting with Meta employees. He stated that Apple’s device did not offer any significant technological breakthroughs that Meta had not already explored and that its vision for how people would use the device did not align with his own. Zuckerberg also shared a letter with employees, expressing his thoughts on Apple Vision Pro.
In the letter, Zuckerberg mentioned his curiosity about Apple’s headset and acknowledged that he had not seen it yet. He noted that, based on initial impressions, there were no groundbreaking solutions that Apple had achieved in terms of the laws of physics, which Meta’s teams had already explored and considered. He highlighted Apple’s decision to prioritize a higher resolution display, resulting in increased cost and energy requirements, leading to the need for a battery and wire attachment. Zuckerberg acknowledged that this design choice might be suitable for Apple’s target use cases.
However, he emphasized the divergence in values and vision between Meta and Apple. Zuckerberg stated that Meta’s focus is on making products accessible and affordable for everyone, highlighting the millions of Quests they have sold. He emphasized Meta’s vision for the metaverse and presence, which is centered around social interaction and active engagement. In contrast, he observed that Apple’s demos primarily showcased individuals sitting alone on a couch, which did not align with his vision for the future of computing. Zuckerberg expressed his excitement and optimism about Meta’s approach and its potential for success, viewing Apple’s entry into the market as further validation of Meta’s mission.
