2007 Apple patent shows off Vision Pro design & people’s minds are blown

Anurag Singh
Vision Pro

A patent dating back to 2007 has emerged online, which looks very similar to the Vision Pro. Apple fans are pleasantly surprised by this resemblance.

The Apple Vision Pro is a fresh product, announced in June 2023 and hitting the market on February 2. However, it seems the foundation of the VR headset was laid way back in 2007 when Steve Jobs was the company’s CEO.

A 2007 patent bearing a striking resemblance to the Apple Vision Pro is causing a buzz on the internet. The VR headset illustrated in the patent shares design elements with the Vision Pro, including an external power source. However, it uses an iPod instead of a regular battery in this setup. The surprising twist that Apple might have had VR headset plans for over a decade has blown fans’ minds.

Vision Pro might have been planned in 2007

Ian Zelbo shared the patent on X. They say the patent was filed in 2007. We verified this through a 2013 MacRumors report, which corroborates that the patent was indeed filed in 2007, and was approved in 2013 by the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Apple fans were surprised to see the patent’s similarities with the Vision Pro. One user said, “It’s surprising that Apple had been planning this for so long.” Another X user exclaimed, “Whoa, that’s incredible! It’s fascinating to see how ideas from 2007 have shaped today’s tech. Truly ahead of its time!”

Another user on X jokingly draws a connection between this resemblance and the fact that the Vision Pro features a lightning connector. “That’s why it still have lightning port and no USB-C. Mistery [sic] solved. Thanks. Btw LOL,” they said.

Apple fans are assuming that the Vision Pro was Steve Jobs’ idea and not Tim Cook’s. “So it’s safe to say this [Vision Pro] is a Steve Jobs creation, not a Tim Cook product,” wrote one user.

An old interview with Steve Jobs has also emerged online where he is talking about interactive goggles that you put in your eyes, seemingly hinting at a VR headset.

Vision Pro is definitely a product of the present. The technology used in this VR headset wasn’t around during Steve Jobs’ time as the company’s CEO. While it’s possible Jobs had forward-thinking ideas, claiming the Vision Pro as his creation doesn’t seem entirely fair.

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About The Author

Anurag is a Tech writer at Dexerto. He is an expert in laptops, smartphones, and wearables. Anurag has previously covered major brands like Apple, Samsung, and Microsoft. He's previously written for publications like Android Police, Neowin, MakeTechEasier, Gizmochina, and more. Get in touch at Anurag.singh@dexerto.com.