Apple’s High-End Vision Pro Headset Price Approaches $4,600 with Essential Add-Ons

When Apple revealed its Vision Pro virtual reality goggles at a tech conference last year, the audience was shocked by the price: $3,500. This is more than four times the cost of a new iPhone and 14 times the cost of a competing headset from Meta. The headset, marketed as a computer, movie player, and gaming machine, will be in stores on Friday, prompting discussions about its high price. Many wonder why people would pay so much for something they can already do with their computers, TVs, and game consoles. But the true cost of owning the Vision Pro is probably even higher, at $4,600. This is due to the add-ons and accessories that many would want to buy, including Apple’s $200 carrying case, $180 AirPods, $200 battery pack, $100 prescription lens inserts, $200 cushion, and $200 for a larger data storage option. Other options, such as Apple’s $500 extended warranty coverage, a $70 video game controller, and a $50 battery holder, could push the price above $5,000, before tax. Therefore, it’s important to consider the “phantom costs,” which are add-ons that significantly inflate the amount spent on tech products. This lesson applies to any tech products we use regularly, not just Apple hardware. For example, the extras for a Windows computer, such as more memory and earphones, can almost double the retail price. Similarly, smartphones like Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra can end up costing more than expected due to the need for accessories like charging bricks, protective cases, wireless earbuds, and extra data storage. Therefore, the cost of tech products can add up quickly, and it’s important for consumers to be aware of these hidden costs.

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Unlikely Industry Player Anguilla Profits Big from A.I. Boom

Artificial intelligence’s integration into everyday life has stirred up doubts and unsettling questions for many about humanity’s path forward. But in Anguilla, a tiny Caribbean island to the east of Puerto Rico, the A.I. boom has made the country a fortune. The British territory collects a fee from every registration for internet addresses that end […]

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China Surpasses U.S. in A.I. Talent: A Key Metric

China lags behind the United States in artificial intelligence that powers chatbots like ChatGPT but excels in producing scientists behind new humanoid technologies. New research reveals that China has surpassed the United States as the biggest producer of A.I. talent. The country generates almost half the world’s top A.I. researchers, compared to 18 percent from […]

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Brands Brace for Impact as TikTok Faces Criticism

Amid debate in Washington over whether TikTok should be banned if its Chinese owner doesn’t sell it, one group is watching with particular interest: the many brands — particularly in the beauty, skin care, fashion, and health and wellness industries — that have used the video app to boost their sales. Youthforia, a makeup brand […]

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