With the Vision Pro unveiled by Apple undeniably comes the operating system of the mixed reality headset: visionOS. It comes with features and what to create dedicated applications for developers.
It was the most anticipated announcement of WWDC 2023 by far: the presentation of the Apple Vision Pro, the brand’s first mixed reality headset. With this new product line comes an operating system, called visionOS.
Spatial computing: what visionOS enables
To present its headset, Apple spoke of “spatial computing”, which could be literally translated as “spatial computing”, to be understood as the use of an electronic device that is controlled in space. For Apple, this is nothing less than the start of a new platform, with many things to reinvent.
The developers will have to recreate some dedicated applications for the Vision Pro. But others will be created entirely for the mixed reality headset. It will mainly be necessary to configure the various gestures, since no controller will be necessary: Apple will not even sell one.
Apple will make development tools available to all developers, such as Reality Composer Pro, which will allow the creation of 3D environments. To ensure that the number of compatible applications will be sufficient to attract potential buyers, several tools are common with iPadOS, iOS, watchOS, etc. Also, Apple has announced that it has collaborated with Unity, a very popular game engine. This makes all games and apps already compatible with the headset in theory.
visionOS is dreaming in iOS, but for the Vision Pro
During the presentation at this WWDC 2023, Apple presented some applications that will be available. Complete HeartX represents a human heart that can be broken down to learn anatomy. JigSpace allows several people to collaborate on object design, like a Formula 1 car. Djay will teach you how to mix, as if you had turntables in your hands. Finally, Sky Guide will immerse you in a planetarium, to discover space as you’ve never seen it before.
Apple also announces compatibility with Microsoft’s suite, Microsoft 365, which includes Word, Excel, Teams, etc. Enough to prove that the Vision Pro is also and mainly intended for professionals, although its price greatly reduces the number of buyers. As for iPadOS, iOS or watchOS, visionOS will be entitled to its App Store. The operating system is already in public beta for developers.
Microsoft Apps can be used, conference vision too, like Zoom. Reality Composer Pro, to create 3D environments. Otherwise there are iPadOS and ioS frameworks in visionOS. to create the controls by hand. Collaboration with Unity, all games and apps based on it are compatible, even with gestures. They can be launched with other apps at the same time. there’s the visionOS App Store. visionOS in beta for developers.
Optic ID : le Face ID du Vision Pro
Apple has also integrated technology for fast and reliable authentication for its mixed reality headset. The manufacturer has found the equivalent of its Face ID for the Vision Pro: Optic ID. As its name suggests, it is with the eye that we can authenticate to unlock the helmet, via our iris. But this will not be the only utility: as on the iPhone, it will be useful for using Apple Pay, making purchases on the App Store or even automatically filling in password fields.
Finally, Apple wanted to reassure everyone about privacy issues. Applications and websites will not be able to know where we will be looking on the screens. In fact, camera data is analyzed by the Vision Pro’s R1 chip and not by applications.
Do you use Google News (News in France)? You can follow your favorite media. Follow Aroged on Google News (and Numerama).
