Apple‘s upcoming mixed-reality headset, the Apple Vision Pro. The upcoming headset is set to blur the lines between the virtual and real worlds, and Apple is taking steps to ensure that users have a multitude of apps at their fingertips from day one.
The Vision Pro is set to launch with its own OS dubbed visionOS and it’s set to face an uphill climb when it comes to apps. It looks like Apple is looking to tackle this challenge head-on. The company has announced that iPhone and iPad apps will seamlessly integrate into the visionOS App Store. This means that users will have access to their favourite apps and games, creating a more connected, productive, and entertaining experience.
Developers, in particular, will appreciate Apple’s approach. The company is streamlining the process by ensuring that most iPad and iPhone apps can run on visionOS without any modifications. This decision eliminates the need for developers to rework their existing apps for the new platform.
According to Apple, “By default, your iPad and/or iPhone apps will be published automatically on the App Store on Apple Vision Pro. Most frameworks available in iPadOS and iOS are also included in visionOS, which means nearly all iPad and iPhone apps can run on visionOS, unmodified.”
While the automatic integration of existing apps is a significant advantage, Apple is also empowering developers to take things further. The visionOS Software Development Toolkit (SDK) provides developers with the tools they need to optimize their apps for the Vision Pro headset. This includes adding elements such as 3D content designed for eye and hand input, creating a more natural and immersive user experience.
The company plans to release a developer beta version of visionOS in the fall. This beta will include the App Store, ensuring that developers can test their apps on the platform well in advance of its official launch.
Users can expect to explore their favourite iPad and iPhone apps side by side with new visionOS apps on the expansive canvas of the Apple Vision Pro. The headset is slated for release early next year, making it a highly anticipated addition to Apple’s product lineup.
Apple’s decision to seamlessly integrate iPhone and iPad apps into the Apple Vision Pro ecosystem is a strategic move that potentially simplifies the user experience and streamlines development. It’s a step towards ensuring that the new platform has a rich library of apps from the get-go which ultimately benefits users and developers alike. As we await the Vision Pro’s official launch, it’s clear that Apple is committed to ensuring that it leaves a mark while trying to redefine the mixed reality experience.