Apple Vision Pro Was Almost Called 'Reality Pro'

The Apple Vision Pro was originally slated to be named "Reality Pro" during its development, according to prototype collector and leaker Kosutami. An internal string, "realityprorealityosdev," hints at this early naming convention. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman had previously reported in September 2022 that Apple's first headset would likely launch as "Apple Reality Pro."

Trademark filings for "Reality One," "Reality Pro," and "Reality Processor" emerged in August 2022, filed through a shell company called Immersive Health Solutions LLC. These filings were followed by an earlier trademark application for "realityOS" in December 2021 and multiple subsequent filings for related terms like "xrOS," "xrProOS," "realityproOS," and "realOS" in mid-2023.

Despite this, Apple unveiled the headset as the Vision Pro at WWDC 2023, seemingly abandoning the Reality branding for both the device and its operating system, visionOS. The switch came late enough that traces of the old naming persisted in internal builds and software. Apple still holds trademark rights to "Reality Pro" and "Reality One," potentially significant in markets like China, where Huawei holds a ten-year license to the Vision Pro trademark until 2031.

Apple reportedly laid off around 100 members of its Vision Products Group this week and largely shut down its Vision Pro gaming and immersive video teams, following reports that the product line had been effectively shelved as the company shifted its focus to smart glasses.