Apple made an announcement regarding the introduction of new software tools and technologies that empower developers to create innovative app experiences for Apple Vision Pro, which happens to be Apple’s first-ever spatial computer. Apple Vision Pro is equipped with visionOS, a pioneering spatial operating system that allows users to interact with digital content in their physical surroundings using natural and intuitive inputs such as their eyes, hands, and voice. As of today, the global community of Apple developers can embark on designing an entirely new category of spatial computing apps that fully utilize the limitless canvas available in Vision Pro.
These apps seamlessly merge digital content with the real world, resulting in extraordinary and immersive experiences. The visionOS Software Development Kit (SDK) provides developers with the means to harness the remarkable and distinctive capabilities of Vision Pro and visionOS, enabling them to create fresh app experiences across a diverse range of categories, including productivity, design, gaming, and more.
In the coming month, Apple will establish developer labs in several cities worldwide, namely Cupertino, London, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo. These labs will serve as hands-on spaces where developers can gain practical experience by testing their apps on actual Apple Vision Pro hardware while receiving assistance from Apple engineers. Development teams will also have the opportunity to request developer kits, which will expedite the process of building, refining, and testing their apps specifically on Apple Vision Pro.
Developers have the ability to leverage the groundbreaking capabilities of Apple Vision Pro to build new experiences, using familiar foundational frameworks from other Apple platforms, such as Xcode, SwiftUI, RealityKit, ARKit, and TestFlight. These powerful tools empower developers to create a wide range of immersive apps that encompass various levels of immersion. This includes windows with depth to showcase 3D content, volumes that offer viewability from any angle, and spaces that fully immerse users in environments with unbounded 3D content. To optimize 3D content for visionOS apps and games, developers can utilize a new tool called Reality Composer Pro, available with Xcode.
This tool enables them to preview and prepare 3D models, animations, images, and sounds, ensuring an amazing visual experience on Vision Pro. Furthermore, developers can interact with their apps in the visionOS simulator, which allows exploration and testing of different room layouts and lighting conditions. Accessibility is a key focus, as all developer frameworks include built-in support for Apple’s innovative accessibility features, ensuring that spatial computing and visionOS apps are accessible to all users.
Beginning next month, developers who have been creating 3D apps and games using Unity’s robust authoring tools will have the capability to port their Unity apps to Apple Vision Pro, fully capitalizing on its powerful functionalities.
Developers who have had the opportunity to preview the visionOS SDK and APIs express enthusiasm for the platform and its potential to enable the creation of entirely new app experiences for their users. Jan Herzhoff, the President of Elsevier Health’s Complete HeartX, shares his excitement about Apple Vision Pro, stating, “With Apple Vision Pro, Complete HeartX will assist in preparing medical students for clinical practice by utilizing hyper-realistic 3D models and animations that aid in their understanding and visualization of medical issues, such as ventricular fibrillation, and the application of their knowledge in patient care. Learning through Complete HeartX on Apple Vision Pro will revolutionize medical education and equip future healthcare professionals for their practice.”
“The djay app on Apple Vision Pro brings forth a complete DJ system, placing it within easy reach for users,” explained Karim Morsy, CEO of Algoriddim. He further highlighted the app’s reimagined spatial interface, which allows anyone to seamlessly mix their favorite music and apply real-time effects using only their eyes and hands. Morsy emphasized that djay on Vision Pro caters to both beginners and seasoned professionals, as it revolutionizes the user’s surroundings by introducing captivating environments that dynamically respond to their mix. This transformative experience enables users to interact with music in unprecedented ways, opening up new possibilities for musical expression.
Zac Duff, the co-founder and CEO of JigSpace, expressed how JigSpace and Apple Vision Pro join forces to empower individuals and businesses, enabling them to effectively convey their ideas or showcase their products using innovative methods. Duff emphasized that JigSpace leverages the high-resolution CAD files that companies already possess, enabling their marketing, sales, product, or support teams to collaborate securely with colleagues or customers regardless of their location worldwide. This collaboration ultimately leads to faster and more efficient communication, significantly reducing the time it traditionally takes to reach the “Aha!” moment. Duff further emphasized that such a level of rapid and effective communication was simply unattainable before the advent of JigSpace and Apple Vision Pro.
PTC’s Chief Technology Officer of AR/VR, Stephen Prideaux-Ghee, highlighted the significance of AR solutions provided by PTC for manufacturers. He explained that these solutions enable manufacturers to engage in collaborative efforts to address crucial business challenges by seamlessly integrating interactive 3D content into the real world. This integration extends from individual products to entire production lines. With the introduction of Apple Vision Pro, stakeholders from various departments and different geographical locations can simultaneously review content, facilitating swift and informed decision-making processes regarding design and operations. Prideaux-Ghee emphasized that this level of collaboration was previously unattainable, but with the capabilities offered by Apple Vision Pro, a new dimension of collaboration is unlocked for manufacturers.
Apple Developer Program members can now access the visionOS SDK, updated Xcode, Simulator, and Reality Composer Pro by visiting developer.apple.com. These resources are made available to registered Apple developers to assist them in designing, developing, and testing apps specifically tailored for Apple Vision Pro. Alongside these tools, developers can also find comprehensive technical documentation, new design kits, and updated human interface guidelines for visionOS, providing valuable support throughout the development process.
For developers interested in gaining more knowledge about creating new app experiences for Apple Vision Pro or applying for a developer kit, they can visit developer.apple.com/visionos. Starting from the following month, developers will have the opportunity to apply for the developer kit, further aiding them in building innovative and immersive experiences on Apple Vision Pro.
