Apple may have to rethink the name of its Vision Pro mixed reality headset, as Huawei has already filed for the trademark of “Vision Pro” in China back in 2019. The Chinese tech giant has been using the Vision brand for its smart TVs and other devices, and it seems that it has plans to expand it to the VR/AR market as well.
According to a report by Patently Apple, Huawei filed for the trademark of “Vision Pro” on June 28, 2019, and it was approved on March 14, 2020. The trademark covers various categories, including “head-mounted display devices”, “virtual reality glasses”, “augmented reality glasses”, and “mixed reality glasses”.
If Huawei decides to enforce its trademark rights in China, Apple may have to change its name or face legal challenges. China is one of the largest and most important markets for Apple, and it would not want to risk losing customers or revenue over a naming dispute.
Huawei has already launched several VR and AR products, such as the Huawei VR Glass. It is not clear if Huawei has any plans to release a device under the name of “Vision Pro”, or if it is just holding onto the trademark for future use.
It is possible that Apple and Huawei could reach an agreement or a settlement over the use of the name, or that Apple could choose a different name for its headset. However, until then, the trademark issue could be a potential obstacle for Apple's entry into the mixed reality market.
What is the Apple Vision Pro?
Vision Pro is a mixed reality (VR/AR) headset the company unveiled at WWDC 2023 earlier this month. A Headset for Both AR and VR Experiences The Vision Pro lets users enjoy both augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) content on a single device, thanks to VisionOS, a new operating system that is built on iOS and designed for mixed reality.
Users can switch between AR and VR modes depending on what they want to see and do. In AR mode, users can overlay digital content on their real surroundings, while in VR mode, users can immerse themselves in a completely virtual world.
The Vision Pro offers a wide range of apps and features for entertainment, socializing, work, and more. Users can play games, watch movies, listen to music, connect with friends, and use productivity tools on the device. They can also access the web using Safari and other Apple services such as iCloud, Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade.
The Vision Pro runs on two chipsets that enable its mixed reality performance: an M2 chip and a new R1 chip. The M2 chip is the same one that powers some of the best MacBooks and Macs and handles the traditional apps and features on the device. The R1 chip is a new co-processor that deals with the mixed-reality and sensor elements, such as tracking the user's head, eyes, hands, and voice.
Microsoft has announced that it will bring some of its popular productivity apps to the Apple Vision Pro AR headset. The apps include Word, Excel and Teams, which will allow users to create and edit documents, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as collaborate and communicate with others in mixed reality.
