Some details are shared by various sources.

It is reported that Apple Vision Pro will have M2 chip with 8 CPU and 10 GPU cores. Maxed out GPU cores for M2 chip means slightly better graphics performance available for the device.

Interestingly, Apple Vision Pro lacks Ultra Wideband and WiFi 6E support.

Also, reviewers claim that on-screen keyboard does not provide enough usability to be considered a regular tool. Users expecting to be more typing will need Bluetooth physical keyboard.

It is also expected that Apple Vision Pro might launch outside US in time before WWDC24.

Also, Vision Pro App Store launches. App Store Connect is updated to provide developers an option to distribute visionOS apps.

Apple Newsroom: Apple previews new entertainment experiences launching with Apple Vision Pro

References:

• Apple Vision Pro M2 Chip Said to Have 10 GPU, 8 CPU Cores
• Apple Vision Pro Virtual Keyboard Blasted As 'Complete Write-Off'
• Vision Pro: Here are the productivity and streaming apps you can expect
• Apple Announces Streaming Services and Sports Apps Available on Vision Pro at Launch
• Apple Vision Pro set to launch outside of the US before WWDC, Kuo says
• Apple Vision Pro App Store Launches
• First visionOS-ready apps now rolling out on the App Store
• Vision Pro Hands-On: Reviewers Comment on Weight, Disney+ Experience, Virtual Keyboard and More
• Apple Vision Pro Lacks Wi-Fi 6E Support
• Apple Vision Pro appears to lack Ultra Wideband and the latest Wi-Fi used in Macs

Apple Vision Pro preorders start on January 19th at 5:00am PST. There are couple of things buyers need to consider.

Apple Store app should be updated on user's device in order to run head scan similar to Face ID – this scan will help in guiding through strap size selection.

Prescription lenses information should also be at hand if ordering inserts with the Apple Vision Pro.

It is expected that Apple Vision Pro will be in short supply at start, so preorders might come off quickly. Some reports claim that initial number of devices is 60,000 – 80,000 units.

References:

• Vision Pro will be in very short supply on launch day, Kuo says
• Apple Store App Will Use Face Scan to Determine Apple Vision Pro Size
• Apple Vision Pro ordering process: iPhone or iPad with Face ID needed, ‘valid, unexpired prescription’ for optical inserts
• Apple Explains How to Get Ready for Vision Pro Pre-Orders Next Week

Apple updates firmware for Magic Keyboard addressing Bluetooth security issue. Attacker with access to keyboard itself was able to extract encryption keys and intercept all wireless communications essentially reading all keystrokes sent from said keyboard.

References:

• Apple Releases Magic Keyboard Firmware Update With Bluetooth Security Fix

Apple announces that Vision Pro will be available for purchase in US starting on February 2, 2024. Preorders will start on January 19, 2024. Headset comes with two set of straps. Optical inserts (reading and prescription lenses) will be sold separately.

Vision Pro comes with 256Gb of storage. Higher storage options are now likely.

Battery lifetime for video playback is now evaluated as 2.5 hours.

Digital Persona will be available on launch as beta.

Apple Stores in US will start providing live demos of Apple Vision Pro on February 2 on first-come-first-served basis.

Apple releases Xcode 15.2 with official support for visionOS applications. New page is published explaining details of visionOS app development.

For instance, Apple recommends not to use "AR" and "VR" terms in the visionOS apps. Preferred term is "spatial computing app".

Developers need to declare motion information for the apps – if app contains quick camera angle changes, this should be described in App Store Connect.

Apple Newsroom: Apple Vision Pro available in the U.S. on February 2

Apple Developer: Submit your apps to the App Store for Apple Vision Pro

Release notes: Xcode 15.2 Release Notes

References:

• Vision Pro launching on February 2, pre-orders begin next week
• Apple Announces February 2 Launch Date for Vision Pro Headset
• Apple Announces Vision Pro Pre-Orders and Availability
• Prescription lenses for Vision Pro to cost $149 – far less than predicted
• Here’s everything that Apple includes in the Vision Pro box
• Apple Vision Pro Ships With Dual Loop Band and More, Starts With 256GB of Storage
• Apple increases Vision Pro battery life estimate for video playback
• Vision Pro Pre-Orders Start January 19 (Next Friday), Available Starting February 2
• Apple teases ‘spatial games’ and over 150 3D movies for Vision Pro
• Vision Pro’s Persona feature will be considered a ‘beta’ at launch
• Apple Vision Pro demos in retail stores will begin on February 2
• Apple Offering Vision Pro Demos Starting on February 2
• Xcode is officially ready for Apple Vision Pro apps
• Apple Releases New Versions of TestFlight and Xcode With Vision Pro Support, Starts Accepting visionOS Apps
• Apple Vision Pro Available February 2

US Federal Appeals Court temporary lifts the Apple Watch sales ban until it hears the case. It is expected that hears will take place in the beginning of January.

References:

• Apple Watch ban temporarily halted, thanks to US appeals court
• Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 Sales Ban Paused by US Appeals Court
• Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 Available in Apple Stores Starting Today, Online Sales to Resume Tomorrow
• Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 returning to select Apple Stores today, online tomorrow
• Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2 return to Apple Stores
• Federal Appeals Court Pauses Import Ban on Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2

Ming-Chi Kuo reports that Apple is gearing up Vision Pro development, sales expected to begin late January to early February 2024.

Shipments in 2024 are estimated to be approximately 500,000 units. Vision Pro is currently in mass production and will begin mass shipments in the first week of January 2024. Vision Pro will most likely hit the store shelves in late January or early February based on the current mass shipment schedule.

9to5Mac

Reference: Kuo: Vision Pro to hit store shelves in ‘late January or early February’

Apple halted the sales of Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9 in US. Some other retailers still have some in stock, however, these models could not longer be imported into US.

Apple appealed ban in court citing 'irreparable harm' to its business. US Court of Appeals to review the case later.

References:

• Apple appeals Apple Watch ban, citing 'irreparable harm' to its business
• Apple Watch Import Ban Now Official, Apple Appeals Decision
• Apple Watch ban news hub: Everything we know right now

Apple is no longer selling Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 through its website. But sales ban will also affect repairs for older models. Out of warranty repairs or replacements are no longer possible for models with blood oxygen sensor until the dispute is resolved.

References:

• Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 No Longer Available From U.S. Online Store
• Apple won't offer Apple Watch service replacements on out of warranty devices
• Here’s how the Apple Watch ban will impact your ability to get your device repaired or replaced

Apple sent developer an emails with information on developer resources available on Apple Vision Pro and visionOS development.

Some journalists are also reporting that use of Apple Vision Pro by Apple employees rose significantly. Most expect that device will be available for purchase in January or February 2024.

Get ready.

Here are some tips for getting your apps in great shape for visionOS.

Get the latest software. Download Xcode 15.2 beta (released last week), which includes the latest visionOS SDK and Reality Composer Pro.

Test thoroughly. Use the visionOS simulator in Xcode to experience various layouts and lighting conditions, and create tests and visualizations.

Developing with Unity? Remember to take advantage of the latest Unity beta to build and test your apps.

Get feedback from Apple. If you have a compatible app on TestFlight or the App Store, review our checklist, then submit a request to have it evaluated directly on Apple Vision Pro.

Apple

References:

• Apple reminds devs to ‘Get ready’ for Vision Pro as launch nears
• Bloomberg: Vision Pro production moving at full speed, February launch planned
• Apple Planning to Launch Vision Pro by February

Apple is planning to pause Apple Watch sales in US – online sales will be halted on December 21, and starting December 24 Apple Watch models will be no longer available in Apple's retail stores. This includes Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9 models.

Following ITC ruling previously and several failed appeals, Apple submitted request for presidential veto. This request should have response by December 25, and Apple preemptively announces sales pause.

Dispute in question is related to blood oxygen sensor patent by Masimo.

Other retailers seem to be unaffected by current ruling.

References:

• Apple to halt Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 sales in the US this week
• Apple Pausing Sales of Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in U.S. Due to Patent Dispute
• Apple halting sales of Series 9 Apple Watch, Apple Ultra Watch 2
• Apple Announces Plans to Pause Sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the Wake of ITC Ruling