Revolutionizing Spatial Interactions
At the WWDC 2025, Apple unveiled its most expansive update yet for the Vision Pro mixed reality headset. With visionOS 26, Apple is enhancing spatial experiences, redefining user interaction with the digital realm. The update introduces customizable spatial widgets, lifelike Persona avatars, support for PlayStation VR2 controllers, and immersive spatial scenes, crafting a novel experience for Vision Pro users.
Enhancements for Vision Pro Users
Spatial Widgets are taking center stage in visionOS 26. Now, users can anchor widgets from apps like clock, weather, music, and photos directly into their physical space. These widgets are versatile, allowing customization in terms of size, color, and depth, and will consistently appear in their chosen spot every time Vision Pro is worn. The new “Widgets” app simplifies finding compatible widgets from iOS and iPadOS apps, while developers are encouraged to create their own spatial widgets using WidgetKit.
Adding a fresh dimension to photos, Apple leverages generative AI and computational depth technologies. With “spatial scenes“, users can explore panoramic photos from various angles, creating a sensation of walking through the scenes. This feature is accessible via the Photos, Spatial Gallery, and Safari apps, and developers can incorporate it into their applications using the new Spatial Scene API.
Collaborative and Lifelike Experiences
visionOS 26 allows multiple Vision Pro users to engage in shared spatial experiences within the same physical setting. Whether it’s watching a 3D film, participating in a spatial game, or collaborating, remote participants can join these environments through FaceTime. Companies like Dassault Systemes are enhancing their engineering and 3D design software by integrating this feature.
Apple’s digital avatars, known as Personas, are evolving to become even more natural and realistic with visionOS 26. The latest Personas boast significant improvements in details such as facial features, hair, eyelashes, and skin texture, all while maintaining a quick on-device setup. Users can preview and select from over 1,000 eyewear options for their digital persona. The new “Look to Scroll” feature allows users to navigate apps and websites using only eye movements, with adjustable scrolling speeds for personalized comfort. Developers can integrate this feature into their applications via API support.
Gaming and Beyond
Vision Pro now supports PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers, underlining Apple’s commitment to enhancing the gaming ecosystem. Advanced functionalities such as 6 degrees of freedom motion tracking, haptic feedback, and finger touch detection deliver a more immersive VR gaming experience. The update also enables Vision Pro to natively play 180-degree, 360-degree, and wide-angle content from brands like Insta360, GoPro, and Canon. Additionally, web developers can now embed 3D models directly into Safari, marking a significant advancement in browsing and shopping experiences.
Additional Features and Enhancements
- Enhanced iPhone Integration: Users can now unlock their iPhone while wearing Vision Pro and answer calls directly from the headset.
- Revamped Control Center: Features like Guest User, Focus Mode, and Travel Mode are unified on a single screen for convenience.
- App Folders: The home screen now supports the organization of apps into folders.
- Expanded Language Support: In addition to French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish, English localizations are now available for Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
Developer Access to Beta
All these exciting new features in visionOS 26 are available for testing by developers through the Apple Developer Program starting today. The stable version is anticipated to be released to all users in the fall.
News
