Apple today unveiled visionOS 2, its major update to its Apple Vision Pro operating system. The update brings a powerful new way for users to create spatial photos using the images already stored in their library. The update also brings new intuitive hand gestures, as well as new features for Mac Virtual Display, Travel Mode, and Guest User.
Apple today also announced the Apple Vision Pro will soon be available in new countries and regions, with pre-orders for China mainland, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore beginning this Thursday, June 13, at 6 p.m. PT and availability beginning Friday, June 28. Customers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom can pre-order Vision Pro beginning Friday, June 28, at 5 a.m. PT, with availability beginning Friday, July 12.
Vision Pro users will be able to quickly find their favorite spatial photos in the redesigned Photos app, manage information for all of their accounts with the new Passwords app, access new privacy tools in Safari, and enjoy new capabilities in several popular apps, including Apple TV and Mindfulness.
“Apple Vision Pro delivers revolutionary experiences for users and developers, and we’re excited to advance spatial computing even further with visionOS 2 just months after its initial release,” said Mike Rockwell, Apple’s vice president of the Vision Products Group. “From navigating visionOS more seamlessly to pushing the boundaries of how users connect with memories, and enhancements to key Vision Pro apps, we can’t wait for users to experience the range of new capabilities with visionOS 2. And with a robust set of tools that enable developers to create richer spatial apps, visionOS 2 makes Vision Pro even more powerful.”
Spatial Photos
With visionOS 2, users can revisit memories by creating spatial photos directly from their photo library. visionOS uses advanced machine learning to transform a 2D image into a spatial photo. Users can share their spatial photos with loved ones to view on Vision Pro, or use SharePlay in the Photos app with their spatial Persona and enjoy their panoramas, spatial videos, and more.
New Hand Gestures and Productivity Features
visionOS introduces what Apple calls a “revolutionary” spatial interface that allows users to control apps and objects with just their eyes, hands, and voice. New hand gestures can be used to access frequently used features like Home View and Control Center. New gestures can be used to view important information at a glance, like the current time, and perform actions, such as adjusting the Vision Pro’s volume.
Later this year, the Mac Virtual Display will feature a higher resolution and larger size, making it appear to be an ultra-wide display equal to two side-by-side 4K monitors. visionOS 2 also adds mouse support for additional workflow options.
Users can now personalize their Home View by rearranging apps and placing them wherever they want, including their compatible iPhone and iPad apps.
Additional features in visionOS 2 include:
- While in Safari, users can watch videos in an Environment, including on popular sites such as YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon. While scrolling through webpages, users can tap on panoramic photos and immerse themselves as the image wraps around them. Siri can also read and speak the content of a webpage while users multitask.
- The Apple TV app brings support for multiview to Apple Vision Pro for the ultimate sports-viewing experience. Later this year, fans will be able to watch up to five simultaneous streams so they can keep track of all their favorite sports and teams.
- To help users achieve calm and focus, the Mindfulness app includes a new capability called Follow Your Breathing that presents dynamic visual animations and sounds that respond to the user’s breathing patterns.
- Systemwide Live Captions help everyone — including users who are deaf or hard of hearing — follow along with spoken dialogue in live conversations and in audio from apps.
- Users can view content on their Vision Pro with AirPlay from their iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
The developer preview of visionOS 2 is available to Apple Developer Program members at developer.apple.com starting today. For more information, visit apple.com/visionos/visionos-2-preview.
