From what we've seen, Apple's visionOS may keep getting better.
Apple used its virtual keynote on Monday to talk about the first major update to its spatial computing platform, VisionOS for Apple Vision Pro.
Mike Rockwell, vice president of Apple's Vision Products Group, boasted that more than 2,000 apps have been developed specifically for Apple Vision Pro since its launch four months ago.
"Apple Vision Pro delivers a revolutionary experience for users and developers, and we're excited to further advance spatial computing with VisionOS 2, just months after its initial release," Rockwell said in a statement. "Updated from With seamless navigation of visionOS that pushes the boundaries of user connection to memory, and enhancements to key Vision Pro applications, we can’t wait for users to experience the range of new features in visionOS 2 and have a powerful set of tools that empower developers. Create richer spatial applications, visionOS 2 makes Vision Pro even more powerful.”
Apple VisionOS director Haley Allen demonstrated some new features, such as converting regular old 2D photos into 3D, or what Apple calls spatial photos, and noted that Apple is using machine learning to convert your photos. Space photos can also be shared with others to view in their own Apple Vision Pro.
There are also new gestures in VisionOS 2 to help you bring up the Home View and Control Center, as well as some extra information at a glance like the time, battery level, and volume.
If you want to use your headphones as a Mac screen, you're in luck. VisionOS 2 upgrades Mac Virtual Display with higher resolution and larger size. You can now work on your Mac screen using the display in Vision Pro, which Apple says is equivalent to two 4k monitors side by side. There's also new support for mice and Magic Keyboard (you can finally see it while working in the headset).
Apple Vision Pro users can now move apps and place them wherever they want, including their iPad and iPhone apps running in that space. Train support is now here too, adding to the recently announced airplane mode. Watching more movies while traveling could be a good thing, right?
New guest users can also be added and eye and hand data saved for up to 30 days.
The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max can already shoot space videos, but now Canon has released a new space lens for its EOS R7 camera.
Rockwell ended the presentation with a quick discussion about APIs, the code that allows developers to add all of this powerful functionality to their own applications. There are new Volumetric APIs, TabletopKit (which lets apps lock to flat surfaces), and enterprise APIs for surgical training, equipment maintenance apps, and more.
Vision Pro will be available in more countries/regions, with pre-orders available in China, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore (June 13), and Australia, Canada, France, Germany and the UK (June 28).
