whats new for visionos

What's New for visionOS

Apple has introduced several exciting updates and features for visionOS at WWDC 2024. Here are the key highlights:

1. Spatial Computing Enhancements:

   • Vision Pro has significantly extended the fidelity of scene understanding capabilities. Planes can now be detected in all orientations, allowing for anchoring objects on various surfaces in your surroundings.
   • The introduction of room anchors considers the user's surroundings on a per-room basis, enabling detection of user movement across rooms.
   • A new object tracking API allows developers to attach content to individual objects found around the user, enhancing interactivity. For example, virtual content like instructions can be attached to physical objects (Platforms State of the Union).

2. Developer Tools and Frameworks:

   • VisionOS is built on the foundation of macOS, iOS, and iPadOS, making it easier for developers to write code once and use it across multiple platforms. Core frameworks like SwiftUI, RealityKit, and ARKit are integral to developing spatial apps for visionOS (Platforms State of the Union).

3. HealthKit Integration:

   • VisionOS supports immersive health experiences. For instance, users can enter an immersive space to reflect on their feelings, with the surrounding pass-through dimming to provide a sense of separation from the workspace. This integration allows for a distraction-free environment to save reflections to HealthKit (Get started with HealthKit in visionOS).

4. Guest User Feature:

   • VisionOS includes a guest user feature that allows others to set up and try out Apple Vision Pro while preserving the owner's data and privacy (Get started with HealthKit in visionOS).

5. Enterprise Use Cases:

   • VisionOS 1.1 supports device and user enrollment for enterprise customers, making it easier to manage Vision Pro devices similarly to iPhones and iPads. This includes support for everyday productivity, collaborative design, simulation and training, and guided work (What’s new in device management).

6. Game Development:

   • Developers can bring iOS or iPadOS games to visionOS, enhancing them with features like stereoscopy, head tracking, and VRR to optimize performance. This allows for a more immersive gaming experience (Bring your iOS or iPadOS game to visionOS).

7. Design Principles:

   • VisionOS apps are designed with people at the center, ensuring interactions are comfortable and delightful. Developers are encouraged to find their app's key moment optimized for visionOS, such as the mindfulness app's breathing flower animation (Design great visionOS apps).

Relevant Sessions

• Platforms State of the Union
• Get started with HealthKit in visionOS
• What’s new in device management
• Bring your iOS or iPadOS game to visionOS
• Design great visionOS apps

These updates and features highlight the continuous evolution of visionOS, making it a powerful platform for creating immersive and interactive experiences.