Apple Vision Pro sparks 300% surge in worldwide VR searches

By Zion Rufus

The recent unveiling of Apple’s Vision Pro mixed reality headset at the Worldwide Developers Conference has ignited a significant surge in online searches for virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR).

During the conference, the searches for ‘mixed reality’ and ‘augmented reality’ experienced impressive growth, surging by 1,130% and 545%, respectively.

According to data from Google Trends, searches for ‘VR’ skyrocketed by 300%, while ‘mixed reality’ saw a staggering increase of 1,130%, and ‘augmented reality’ experienced a 545% surge following Apple’s announcement.

The data, analyzed by Digital-adoption.com, revealed that online interest in VR has witnessed a remarkable 300% surge in the past seven days since Apple introduced its highly anticipated headset, expected to be priced at $3,499 and scheduled for release next year.

This surge in VR searches coincides with the unprecedented popularity of artificial intelligence (AI). Google Trends data indicates a significant spike in ‘AI’ searches, showing a remarkable 619% increase since 2004.

The year 2023 has witnessed a breakthrough for AI, with search volume more than doubling from 17 million in January to 42 million in May. The surge can also be attributed, in part, to the widespread growth and adoption of accessible AI technologies such as ChatGPT and Google Bard.

Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, introduced the Vision Pro headset, describing it as a “revolutionary new product” that seamlessly merges the real world with the digital world, augmenting reality in unprecedented ways. Cook emphasized that this headset marks a significant step in the era of spatial computing, where digital content seamlessly blends with the physical space around us.

The announcement of Vision Pro has not only generated heightened interest in VR and related technologies but has also triggered a surge in searches for “Buy Apple stock,” which witnessed a substantial increase of 1,482% worldwide in the last seven days.

A spokesperson from Digital-adoption.com commented on these findings, stating, “There has been a massive surge in AI interest this year. Apple’s announcement of Vision Pro has captivated audiences at the perfect moment when accessible AI technologies, like ChatGPT, are becoming widely available. Apple’s latest announcement has the potential to tip the scales and encourage more users to adopt advanced technologies like VR and AI in their homes and work environments.”