Apple and Sony are rumored to “teaming up” on Vision Pro support for the PSVR2 controllers.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman made the claim in his Power On newsletter, in which he alleged the two tech giants were meant to begin the support “weeks ago”. Gurman, known for his accurate reporting on Apple developments, has maintained a track record of over 90% accuracy in his predictions about major tech industry moves.
If true, it means Apple will start selling Sony’s virtual reality headsets and give Vision Pro users access to more games. This development could significantly expand the Vision Pro’s gaming capabilities, as Sony’s PlayStation VR2 library currently includes over 100 compatible titles, potentially creating a robust gaming ecosystem for Apple’s mixed reality platform.
Meanwhile, Sony is reportedly considering a new handheld console to rival the Nintendo Switch. The handheld gaming market has seen substantial growth, with the Nintendo Switch alone selling over 132 million units globally since its launch.
The Japanese tech giant has created portable devices in the past, such as the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and the PlayStation Portal Remote Player for its PlayStation 5 (PS5) console, but a recent report by Bloomberg claimed the firm is in the early stages of developing a new similar device that will enable gamers to play PS5 games on the go. The original PSP sold over 80 million units worldwide, demonstrating Sony’s historical success in the portable gaming market.
The outlet claims the “idea builds on the PlayStation Portal”, the eight-inch device released last year that allows users to play compatible video games over an internet connection. The PlayStation Portal has already exceeded initial sales expectations, with over 2 million units sold in its first three months of release.
The publication did, however, note that Sony could be years away from launching such a device and that it may not even see the light of day. Industry analysts suggest that the development cycle for new gaming hardware typically ranges from 3-5 years, with many prototypes never reaching commercial production.
As well as the Nintendo Switch, which was released in 2017, it is believed it could rival something similar from Xbox, with Microsoft allegedly “working on prototypes”. The competitive landscape in portable gaming has evolved significantly, with the global handheld gaming market expected to reach $27.3 billion by 2026.
These developments come at a crucial time in the gaming industry, as mobile and portable gaming continues to gain market share. The potential collaboration between Apple and Sony could represent a strategic alignment of two industry leaders, combining Apple’s expertise in consumer technology with Sony’s gaming experience.
The integration of PSVR2 controllers with Vision Pro could also signal a broader trend toward cross-platform compatibility in the virtual reality space. This approach aligns with consumer demands for more unified and accessible gaming experiences across different platforms and devices.
Market analysts suggest that such a partnership could help both companies strengthen their positions in the competitive mixed reality market. Apple’s Vision Pro, priced at $3,499, could benefit from expanded gaming capabilities to justify its premium positioning, while Sony could gain access to Apple’s affluent consumer base.
The timing of these developments coincides with increasing consumer interest in both virtual reality and portable gaming solutions. Industry data shows that the average time spent on mobile gaming has increased by 30% since 2019, indicating a growing market for portable gaming solutions.
Should these rumors materialize, the collaboration could represent one of the most significant partnerships in the gaming industry this year, potentially reshaping the landscape of virtual reality gaming and portable gaming devices. The success of such ventures could pave the way for more cross-company collaborations in the gaming and technology sectors.
