Apple today has announced visionOS 2, the first big software update for Apple Vision Pro enhancing the device’s capabilities with new spatial computing features. This update arrives only months after the Vision Pro’s U.S. release in February.
Transform Photos into Spatial Memories
With visionOS 2, users can now convert their favorite photos into stunning spatial photos directly from their library. This feature employs advanced machine learning to bring depth and realism to 2D images, making memories more immersive. Additionally, spatial videos can now be captured using Apple Vision Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro, and later this year, Canon will release a spatial lens for its EOS R7 camera, further expanding creative possibilities.
Intuitive Hand Gestures for Enhanced Navigation
visionOS 2 introduces new hand gestures to simplify navigation. Users can quickly access key features like Home View and Control Center, check important information such as time and battery level, and perform actions like volume adjustment with ease. These intuitive controls make the Vision Pro experience more fluid and user-friendly.
Productivity and Customization Enhancements
The update brings significant productivity boosts with a higher resolution and larger Mac Virtual Display, akin to two 4K monitors. Mouse support is also introduced, along with the ability to reveal the user’s physical Magic Keyboard within immersive environments. Users can personalize their Home View, adding compatible iPhone and iPad apps, and use the new Travel Mode to experience apps on trains with customizable environments.
Developer Tools and New App Experiences
visionOS 2 includes new APIs and frameworks, allowing developers to create more volumetric and shareable apps. HealthKit integration enables innovative health and fitness applications. Tools like TabletopKit simplify building collaborative experiences, such as board games or workstations. Apps like The Museum That Never Was and Haunted Chess demonstrate the potential of these new capabilities.
Additional Features
- Safari now supports watching videos in immersive environments, including popular streaming sites.
- Apple TV app introduces multiview for sports fans to watch up to five simultaneous streams.
- The Mindfulness app adds “Follow Your Breathing,” a feature that uses visual and sound cues to help users focus.
- Systemwide Live Captions make Vision Pro more accessible.
- AirPlay support for viewing content from iPhone, iPad, or Mac on Vision Pro.
Availability
The developer preview of visionOS 2 is available to Apple Developer Program members starting today, with features subject to change.
Editors Note: This article was partially written with the help of AI as part of an A/B experiment.
Author: Holden Satterwhite
Founder of Appleosophy and Redfruit Media. Twitter: @hesatter
