Apple has announced visionOS 2, marking an update for its Vision Pro headset. This version brings a bunch of new features and tweaks aimed at making the device more capable and user-friendly.
A prominent addition is the revamped gesture control system, enabling quicker access to actions. The Photos app now converts 2D images into Spatial Photos, offering a more engaging way to browse through picture collections.
Improved Mac Virtual Display and Travel Mode
The Mac Virtual Display has received notable upgrades, presenting users with larger and higher-resolution virtual screens, including an ultra-wide display option. Utilizing foveated rendering technology, the update reduces visible compression artifacts, delivering crisper visuals. Travel Mode has expanded its functionality to work on trains, catering to frequent commuters.
Several key system apps like Safari, TV, and Mindfulness have been updated with new functionalities. The Vision Pro headset can now pair with mice, increasing its user flexibility. Guest User mode has also been improved to facilitate a better multi-user experience. Apple is collaborating with companies like Canon to develop hardware for capturing Spatial Video.
Developers gain access to an enhanced suite of APIs, including TableTopKit, which helps in creating games and applications on flat surfaces. These tools aim to enable developers to craft more engaging apps for the Vision Pro headset.
Additional Features and Global Rollout
Users can now rearrange apps on the homescreen, including those from iPad and iPhone. New gestures have been added for summoning the homescreen, viewing the Control Center, and checking battery life or time through a specific wrist roll gesture. Data of guest users' hand and eye movements will be saved for 30 days, simplifying the sharing of the Vision Pro headset.
The ultrawide virtual display feature now supports a dual 4K-equivalent curved ultrawide screen when connected to a Mac. Mouse support extends beyond mirrored displays, and the Vision Pro will reveal the user's physical keyboard in the immersive space.
The Photos app will integrate SharePlay, allowing users to share the app with another Vision Pro owner using Spatial Personas. A new virtual environment named Bora Bora has been introduced, expanding the available virtual spaces. Users will be able to watch videos independently of the Safari browser, including services like YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon.
Apple TV supports up to five concurrent streams in multiview, along with AirPlay streaming from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Red Bull is developing a new immersive sports series, and Apple is working on its first scripted immersive feature. Blackmagic Design is unveiling a new camera system, and Canon is introducing a spatial lens for the EOS R7.
Availability and International Expansion
visionOS 2 will be a free update for Vision Pro users later this year. The international availability of the Vision Pro headset is also expanding, with preorders starting in China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore on June 13th, and availability on June 28th. Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the UK will start preorders on June 28th, with devices available on July 12th. Developers can start working with the platform from today.
