Apple CEO Tim Cook reveals why he had Stevie Wonder test the new Vision Pro
He described the musician as a 'friend of Apple'
Featured Image Credit: Wired/YouTube/Kevin Winter/Getty
Topics: Technology, Apple, Tim Cook
Emma Rosemurgey
Topics: Technology, Apple, Tim Cook
Apple CEO Tim Cook has revealed the surprising reason why he enlisted the help of Stevie Wonder when developing the Vision Pro.
For the less tech savvy among us, the Vision Pro is a 3D camera headset which Apple says will allow users to 'capture magical spatial photos and videos in 3D, then relive those cherished moments like never before.'
Given that headsets are typically designed for people who aren't visually impaired, you might be surprised to hear how Stevie was asked to trial the tech product before its release.
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However, in a new interview with Wired, the CEO has explained why getting feedback from Stevie, who is registered blind, was imperative for the design process.
"It’s great to get feedback from Stevie. And of course, his artistry is just unparalleled. He’s so fantastic," Cook said.
"But accessibility was always important for us, from designing all of our products. One of the common threads through Apple over time is that we don’t bolt on accessibility at the end of the design process; it’s embedded in the design process. And so getting that feedback was key."
Despite its seemingly fantastic offerings, sales for the Vision Pro haven't taken off like some tech experts were expecting, which could, in part, be down to the eyewatering price tag of $3,499 to $4,048, but this isn't a concern for the Apple boss.
"It’s an early adopter product, for people who want tomorrow’s technology today," he explained. "Those people are buying it, and the ecosystem is flourishing. The ultimate test for us is the ecosystem. I don’t know if you’re using it very much, but I’m there all the time. I see new apps all the time."
Later in the interview, Cook doubled down on the importance of embedding accessibility in all of Apple products, and went on to discuss the AirPods Pro 2, which includes an impressive clinical-grade hearing aid feature that allows people to diagnose themselves with hearing impairments.
"It’s not about competing against hearing aids on the market. It’s about trying to convince people who have hearing loss to use their AirPods," he explained.
“The vast majority of people with hearing issues have not been diagnosed. For some people, hearing aids have a stigma, and we can counter that with AirPods. And we can have people diagnose themselves. It’s the democratization of health."