Apple Unveils Developer Tools for Apple Vision Pro: Creating Spatial Computing Apps

Apple Unveils New Software Tools and Technologies for Apple Vision Pro

Apple has recently announced the release of new software tools and technologies that will enable developers to create app experiences for Apple Vision Pro, the company’s first spatial computing device. Equipped with visionOS, the world’s first spatial operating system, Apple Vision Pro allows users to interact with digital content in physical space using their eyes, hands, and voice – the most natural and intuitive input methods.

Starting today, Apple’s global developer community will have the opportunity to create new categories of spatial computing apps. Through the visionOS SDK, developers can leverage the unique features of Apple Vision Pro and visionOS to design a variety of new app experiences, including productivity, design, games, and more.

To provide developers with a hands-on experience, Apple will be opening developer labs in Cupertino, London, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo next month. These labs will allow developers to test their apps on Apple Vision Pro hardware and receive support from Apple engineers. Additionally, development teams can request a development kit that will assist them in quickly building, iterating, and testing apps on Apple Vision Pro.

Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, expressed her excitement about the potential of Apple Vision Pro, stating, “Apple Vision Pro redefines what’s possible on a computing platform. Developers can start building visionOS apps using the powerful framework they already know and take advantage of new innovative tools like Reality Composer Pro. Spatial computing utilizes the space around users to unlock new opportunities for our developers and enable them to imagine new ways to help users connect with each other, be productive, and enjoy a new style of entertainment. We can’t wait to see how our developer community brings their dreams to life.”

Apple Vision Pro features a new App Store where users can discover apps and content. Developers can utilize familiar frameworks from other Apple platforms, such as Xcode, SwiftUI, RealityKit, ARKit, and TestFlight, to create new experiences that make full use of the breakthrough features of Apple Vision Pro and seamlessly integrate digital content with the physical world.

These tools empower developers to create immersive apps that offer a variety of experiences, including “windows” that provide depth and 3D content, “stereoscopic” experiences that can be viewed from any angle, and fully immersive 3D content environments. Xcode also provides a new tool called Reality Composer Pro, which helps developers optimize 3D content for visionOS apps and games by allowing them to preview and prepare 3D models, animations, images, and sounds for rendering in Apple Vision Pro.

Developers can further interact with their apps using the new visionOS simulator, which allows them to explore and test various room layouts and lighting conditions. Each developer framework includes built-in support for Apple’s innovative accessibility features, ensuring that spatial computing and visionOS apps are accessible to everyone.

In addition, starting next month, developers who use Unity’s powerful authoring tools to build 3D apps and games will be able to port their Unity apps to Apple Vision Pro.

The visionOS SDK, updated Xcode, Simulator, and Reality Composer Pro are now available to Apple Developer Program members on developer.apple.com. Registered Apple developers can access a variety of resources, including technical documents, a new set of design tools, and updated visionOS human interface guidelines, to assist them in designing, developing, and testing apps for Apple Vision Pro.

Developers interested in learning more about designing new app experiences for Apple Vision Pro can visit developer.apple.com/visionos or apply for the Developer Kit next month.

How does the Apple Vision Pro Developer Academy support and nurture the next generation of spatial computing developers, and what opportunities does it provide for aspiring developers

Partnerships have already been established to bring a wide range of apps to the platform. The App Store on Apple Vision Pro will include a curated collection of spatial computing apps that have been optimized for the device’s unique capabilities.

In addition to the software tools and technologies, Apple also announced the availability of Apple Vision Pro Developer Academy, a new program aimed at supporting and nurturing the next generation of spatial computing developers. The academy will offer a comprehensive curriculum, mentorship opportunities, and hands-on training to help aspiring developers gain the skills and knowledge needed to create innovative and immersive app experiences for Apple Vision Pro.

Apple Vision Pro has already garnered significant attention from the developer community, with many expressing enthusiasm for the possibilities it presents. The combination of the device’s spatial computing capabilities and the tools provided by Apple opens up a whole new world of interactive and immersive experiences.

As Apple continues to innovate in the field of spatial computing, the release of new software tools and technologies for Apple Vision Pro marks an important milestone. By enabling developers to create app experiences that leverage the device’s unique capabilities, Apple is driving the advancement of spatial computing and further solidifying its position as a leader in the industry.

With the release of the developer tools and the opening of developer labs, developers now have the opportunity to explore and experiment with Apple Vision Pro, ultimately leading to the creation of innovative and compelling spatial computing apps. As the developer community embraces the potential of Apple Vision Pro, it is likely that we will see a steady stream of new and exciting app experiences that push the boundaries of what is possible in spatial computing.