Data from market research firm Appfigures shows that as of this past weekend, just 150+ apps—a small portion of the App Store's 1.8 million apps—were specifically upgraded for the AR/VR device's Vision Pro.
That’s not the number of apps available, to be clear.
Unless a developer chooses otherwise, the Vision Pro should theoretically work with iOS and iPad applications. However, it is a measure of the sheer number of businesses who raced to create for the new platform, and it's a lower amount considering the size of Apple's developer community overall.
For a number of reasons, including a limited supply of Vision Pro headsets for testing and an awareness that the market opportunity for their apps may be small for some time due to the device's hefty price point of $3,499 and up, depending on storage size, developers may not be tailoring their apps or creating new ones specifically for Apple's newest platform. It's also possible that developers are having trouble adapting their brief, touchscreen-optimized apps to a different kind of computing environment.
However, it is impossible to ignore the unfavourable attitude that Apple has fostered within the developer community in the wake of Epic Games' antitrust case against the massive tech company. The court determined that Apple was not a monopolist, so although Apple prevailed in most of the case, it did force Apple to change the terms of the App Store so that developers may direct users to their own websites for other ways to pay for subscriptions and other in-app purchases.
By adding a number of additional restrictions and limitations about who can apply for this "exception" to its App Store regulations and how the link is to be implemented within their apps—down to the language developers can use—Apple rather deliberately complied with the verdict.
Additionally, the business stated that it would only lower commissions from 30% to 27%, which would have prevented many app developers from pursuing the option because credit card processing fees might exceed the 3% decrease.
The larger developer community at Apple, which had previously flocked to adopt Apple's new platforms despite dwindling profits, may become sour as a result of this developer-hostile attitude. For example, the Apple iMessage App Store never really took off because of issues with discoverability arising from its location in the iMessage app drawer. Meanwhile, the watchOS App Store has witnessed numerous high-profile exits following its launch, including the removal of top apps from http://Meta, Slack, Uber, and Twitter.
Rivals of Apple, such as YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify, have decided against developing for Vision Pro since the Cupertino tech giant is becoming more and more competitive in their respective sectors with its own streaming services for music and video. It should come as no surprise that Meta, which manufactures its own VR headset, has decided against developing native apps expressly for the Vision Pro, as Appfigures' list indicates. Apps for it are likewise not currently compatible, according to MacStories.
However, Vision Pro users will still have enough to do with their new headset when it launches. Disney+, ESPN, MLB, PGA Tour, Max, Discovery+, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Peacock, Pluto TV, Tubi, Fubo, Crunchyroll, Red Bull TV, IMAX, TikTok, and MUBI are among the content providers that users of the Vision Pro will be able to download and stream. Along with other applications you may be familiar with, like Temu, Uber/Uber Eats, Tinder, Notion, CNN, Washington Post, Reddit, Discord, and more, Apple also has its own apps available.
Additionally, Appfigures exposes a few more well-known companies and apps, such as Box, Carrot Weather, Webex, Zoom, Fantastical, and others, that were created especially for Vision Pro. But many of them were not well-known.
According to Appfigures, a few more have chosen to opt out, which means they do not have the "compatible" badge. These apps include Roku, Pandora, DoorDash, Amazon, Candy Crush, Bumble, Nike, Nest, and more. They also include Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, TikTok, Spotify, YouTube, Google Drive, Gmail, Google Meet, Chrome, Google Home, and more..
Unless the developer modifies their apps' availability in App Store Connect, Apple informed developers that their current iPhone and iPad apps would be automatically made available to Vision Pro users. According to an Apple support page, this is made feasible by the native operation of the Vision Pro apps, which "use the same frameworks, resources, and runtime environment as they do on iOS and iPadOS.".
Most likely, until the Vision Pro has a sizable enough user base to merit the additional attention, many app developers are just letting their current apps get transferred over.
Netflix confirms it won’t have a dedicated app for the Apple Vision Pro
Netflix does not have any plans to release a specific software for the Apple Vision Pro, nor will it alter its iPad version to function with the headset. Users will be forced to utilise the web version instead, which means they won't be able to enjoy features like downloading films for offline watching.
A Netflix representative said in a statement given to Newsreedom, "Our members will be able to enjoy Netflix on the web browser on the Vision Pro, similar to how our members can enjoy Netflix on Macs."
This is the official statement from the streaming behemoth Netflix, contrary to a July report by Bloomberg that suggested the company had no plans to develop a native app.
Although the performance of the browser version should be comparable to that of the iPad version, those who were hoping for an immersive viewing experience while watching their preferred Netflix material are disappointed. Disney+, in contrast, seems to be trying to outdo its competitor with four backdrops that draw inspiration from Marvel's Avengers Tower, Pixar's "Monsters Inc."'s Scare Floor, Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre, and a Star Wars environment that includes the planet Tatooine and the cockpit of Luke Skywalker's landspeeder.
It's obvious that Netflix may not be as committed to mixed reality headsets as other firms based on a quick glance at the streamer's antiquated Meta Quest app. Numerous Quest users have expressed dissatisfaction with the "awful resolution," glitches, and general low quality of the programme.
Given the ridiculous price point of $3,500, it is likely that Netflix believes the Vision Pro won't be a big hit with customers right soon, as mixed reality headsets are still considered niche products.
The option to download and watch movies and TV shows from well-known services including Disney+, Apple TV+, Max, Discovery+, Paramount+, Prime Video, Peacock, Pluto TV, and Tubi will be included in the February 2 release date of the Apple Vision Pro. Additionally, 150 3D films, such as "Avatar: The Way of Water," "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," "The Super Mario Bros.," "Dune," and others, will be available for purchase and rental. The gadget will go up for preorder tomorrow, January 19, at 8 a.m. ET.
I spent the morning with the Apple Vision Pro
After using the $3,500 headgear for approximately an hour, I was able to personally witness what all the excitement was about
Update: For $3,500, you can now preorder the Vision Pro from Apple's website. Apple has also provided a 10-minute "guided tour" of the gadget to give a closer look. Shipping is scheduled to begin on February 2.
In 2009, "Avatar" had its theatrical debut. One of the most immersive moviegoing experiences in the history of the medium was provided to viewers by this technological marvel. It also delivered some theatregoers something completely unexpected, if current internet forums are to be believed: depression.
CNN covered an odd new phenomena shortly after the movie's premiere, which some called "Avatar Depression." A few viewers mentioned feeling a sense of emptiness after leaving the theatre, and taking Pandora with them, since the movie had been so engrossing.
Many others have encountered similar events as extended reality experiences have become more common due to the success of headsets from companies like Meta, HTC, and Sony. When you do take off the headset, it can feel more startling the more immersed the experience was.
Fundamentally, these kinds of headsets are all about successfully deceiving the brain into believing that anything is being seen. Some VR users report experiencing motion sickness as a result of this cognitive dissonance. It's as if your body and brain are experiencing two distinct worlds.
As far as Apple is concerned, the Vision Pro is not a virtual reality headset. According to the company's press releases, it's a gadget for spatial computing. It's a mixed reality in real life. With the use of on-board passthrough technology, the majority of applications are now only accessible through augmented reality. However, with a simple twist of the digital crown, which resembles an Apple Watch and is located atop the visor, the gadget can become fully immersive.
Apple is providing Vision Pro demos to a small group of media members this week. I used the headset for a while earlier today. Since Matthew had the privilege of seeing the hardware announced at WWDC this summer, it was my first time handling it. The goal was to go through every step of the process in about 60 minutes, including the initial app facial scans, the spatial desktop, and watching films (unfortunately, no gaming this time around).
I left the demo, which lasted about thirty minutes and went over all of the important features that are still pending testing, feeling that Apple had truly made significant progress in both the capabilities and implementation of mixed reality, or XR, with the new Apple Vision Pro. To be quite clear, I'm not advocating that.
The business took care to offer Vision Pro users both extremes of the immersion spectrum: full passthrough and Environments, which is a comprehensive natural setting that resembles strolling into an endless looping live shot. While an hour of switching between apps is probably not enough to induce full-blown "Avatar" depression (at least not in my case), it does provide a window into a world where these phenomena are definitely possible, especially given that display resolutions are able to produce ever-more lifelike images.
The screen is crucial in the case of the Vision Pro. Headsets have seized the lead as handsets have reached a point where 4K and 120Hz refresh rates are no longer innovations. The Vision's two micro-LEDs, which fit 23 million pixels into each eye, are largely responsible for its capabilities. This results in the creation of a very dense 4K display in front.
Since this is Apple, of course, every detail of the hardware has been meticulously thought out. That starts with the procedure of fitting. In order to assist customers, Apple will make Geniuses available at all of its U.S. stores starting on February 2. Although the specifics of the in-store experience are still unknown, part of the floor will be devoted to it rather than having everything done within the Genius Bar.
Not everybody, of course, lives close to an Apple Store. Because of this, the business will also make the procedure accessible through the app. The software that staff members use in-store is actually the identical one that powers the at-home version. The initial step is nearly identical to the procedure for configuring Face ID on an iPhone. When the phone performs a scan from various angles, you hold it up close to your face and move it in a circle. This will be done twice.
From this point on, the system will figure out which parts match your facial shape the best. All faces are unique, naturally. There is a huge variety, and choosing the incorrect part could have a significant negative effect on the experience. My face gave us some trouble (that's not the first time those remarks have been spoken). The Light Seal is meant to prevent outside light from seeping in; it attaches to the headset via a magnetic connection.
I was just unable to get it exactly perfect. We eventually ran out of time, so I had to keep going while light streamed in through my cheekbones and nose bridge. If you've ever experienced anything similar with a headset, you know that although it annoys you at first, your brain eventually gets used to it and you stop noticing it. But there were a couple of gloomy demos when it showed up again.
Recently, I've read some first-hand accounts of people who experienced considerable discomfort after wearing the hardware for an entire hour. Although I didn't encounter this, you may have different results. Apple is packaging a pair of straps with the smartphone in order to better evenly disperse its one pound of weight. One option is the Solo Knit Band, which is the large, padded band that appears in every photo. Apple is also introducing the Dual Loop, which includes a secondary band that across the top of the head and is smaller.
I wore the latter in the demo, assuming that it would do a better job with weight distribution. The straps snap on magnetically and feature Velcro for adjustments. And then, of course, there’s the battery pack. My guess is that Apple designers fought like hell to find a way around it. Ultimately, however, doing so would either mean a dramatic loss of battery life or a lot more weight added to the headset.
In the world of hardware, compromises are inevitable, for better or worse. After all, physics has its bounds. The battery pack is currently somewhat of a vestige organ, and not a very attractive one at that. It seems like a very first-generation issue that will be fixed in later iterations.
It's long enough to fit in your pocket or run behind you when you're sitting. I have no doubt that a number of solutions, such as battery belts promising an AR element, will also be released in the upcoming months by producers of third-party accessories.
But once you're operating, you won't even notice it. If you decide halfway through the demo that you want to stand, like I did, this could potentially become a problem. Upon doing so, I received a tiny jerk from the pack. The lesson here is to locate the battery in a convenient location if you want to spend a lot of time standing while using the headset.
Most of the UX is gesture-based. In this thing, you're going to pinch more than an over-enthusiastic St. Patrick's Day joker. The secret sauce is a blend of pinching and eye tracking. When you gaze at an icon, it will pulsate quietly. You can now select by pinching. To scroll, pinch your fingers and swipe left or right. To zoom, pinch the fingers on both hands together and pull them apart. Although there is a slight learning curve, you'll pick things up fast. I have faith in you.
Here, the hand tracking is excellent. As long as you make sure your hands are not blocking your line of sight, you don't need to raise them—though you probably will, out of reflex. For the most part, I kept my on my lap.
A button and digital crown at the top of the visor allow for even more finesse. Actually, the crown is just an enlarged version of the one found on the Apple Watch.
As soon as I was operational, I ventured into the realm of passthrough. This concept is not new. This is possible with Magic Leap with the latest Meta and HTC headsets. Visor opacity is necessary for a really immersive experience. This implies that you are unable to observe the world outside of the glass. With the least amount of latency possible, Passthrough projects images of your environment onto your eyes using on-board cameras.
Naturally, humans are very good at detecting delay. This is just another example of a mind-body connection. The slightest noticeable lag will be startling if the headset is successful in fooling your brain into thinking it is staring at an image. This is a tiny amount. That is anticipated. Still, it's insufficient to be genuinely unsettling. Once more, you grow used to it. (I'll be mentioning that a lot. Adapt to it.)
The passthrough itself also becomes accustomed to you. Even though this is perhaps the best technology I've used, it's still very clear that you're not really gazing through a glass surface. It's a bit hazy if the headset is a window. The image lacks lustre and sharpness compared to the genuine thing. Do you recall the previous section about adjusting to it? That holds true once more.
Here, passthrough is a key technology for several reasons. First and foremost, it's to keep you out of trouble. Fairly easy. The second is the aspect of spatial computing that we discussed around 1,300 words ago. In Billy Corgan's words, "the world is a desktop."
You've seen this scene in every video. It surprised many who thought of the Vision Pro as a gadget primarily for gaming how much Apple embraced the concept of spatial computing. It's not the most glamorous thing we can think of to do with mixed reality headsets. Work is involved. It involves typing or browsing the internet while seated at a desk. The problem lies in the fact that reality exists within your desktop monitor, rather than the desktop itself.
Once more, Apple is hardly the first business to attempt this. Still, it might be the most ambitious. It's a fantastic result. The appeal is obvious to someone penning this to you while seated in front of two enormous monitors at a desk. Heck, if you read me at all, you know that I recently acquired a projector following decades without a TV. While looking for projector screens, I discovered that the 100-inch model was the most suitable for my requirements.
I can't say it enough: one hundred inches is a lot of inches. My flat is a tiny one-bedroom. Now one whole wall of it is occupied by the projector screen. I think Apple has done a very good job of approximating points and distances in space with the Vision Pro.
It seems as though you are watching a big-screen movie on the wall in front of you when you use the Vision Pro. The effect of picking up and moving app windows in front of you is achieved by utilising the spatial computing feature.
Just like on your desktop or phone, you can have (almost) as many open at once as you'd want. This is the only computer I've ever used where space doesn't seem like a luxury. Would you like to use a different app? Simply push it aside.
If you find reality too dull, use the Environments option we previously covered and file your taxes while perched atop a Hawaiian volcano at dusk. Additionally, Apple is allowing outside companies to use Environments. I spent some time in Avengers Headquarters and in a parked speeder on Tatooine because Disney produced a couple. Fun reminder of just how much IP from my youth is still owned by that public-domain mouse.
The most engaging experience I had today, beyond viewing a movie, was Encounter Dinosaurs. Apple created an amazing dinosaur experience in collaboration with Jon Favreau and other team members behind the Apple TV+ series Prehistoric Planet. Some of the first-party software experiences Apple developed to showcase the first iPad's display are somewhat reminiscent of these initiatives.
On the walkway, a portal emerges here to reveal a rugged, primaeval setting. A few big carnivores that resemble Tyrannosaurus rex emerge to sniff at you. It's awesome and gives you a brief sense of being a child again (keep the headset on at all times to avoid having to deal with adult obligations). I adored it. The audio pod speakers on either side truly bring to life the loud snorts and grunts of an inquisitive carnivore, and the graphics are astounding. The AI allows the dinosaurs to react to the user's motions.
Although seeing dinosaurs isn't a primary selling point, it's a terrific indication of the direction things are going. Unfortunately, there was not a single game in today's presentation, but the dinosaur experience gave me a lot of faith for what to come. To be honest, I would have been content to hang out with dinosaurs for the entire hour. Most likely, that's just me.
The demo's feeling of total immersion—even with passthrough enabled—may have been its most striking feature. It's an odd feeling, like you're transported but still firmly rooted in reality.
I had another unexpectedly engaging experience when using the Mindfulness app. I had to really beat my head against the wall for decades before I began to truly reap the rewards of meditation. On the other hand, the Vision Pro has the feel of a cheat code. Similar to the app of the same name for the Apple Watch, the app revolves around a flower petal ring that goes in and out to assist you control your breathing. It's really interesting, and if and when we receive a test unit, I will definitely make use of it.
It's also appropriate to mention spatial images and films here. Captured using the iPhone 15 Pro, the pictures produce a realistic three-dimensional scene. Do you recall ViewMaster? Imagine being able to approximate the experience by simply using the images and videos you have of it. A family table was the setting for one film, which gave off an obtrusive vibe akin to witnessing strangers interacting in their own kitchen.
In one of these totally immersive experiences, you can see the figure of a person emerging if you tilt your head in their direction. The system does not recognise items in the same way that it does people. It's only an additional means of preventing wearers from completely losing contact with reality.
There's EyeSight (not to be confused with iSight) for the people around you. Do you recall the scanning procedure from earlier? The app also creates a digital representation of your face. A little virtual cutout on the visor displays a picture of your upper face, primarily your eyes, when you gaze at someone. The headset's cameras detect your movements, such as blinking or frowning, and react in real time by using artificial intelligence to approximate how your face appears.
The purpose of the feature is to allay any privacy worries by giving those in your immediate vicinity a discreet means of knowing when you're seeing them. Moreover, you may use AirPlay to broadcast the material on the interior of the screen to an iOS smartphone, allowing others in your vicinity to view what you see.
As of this Friday, January 19, preorders for the Vision Pro are open. On February 2, the headset will go on sale. Between now and then, Apple has committed to making further announcements about news and content. In its current state, it's a striking illustration of the company's new paradigm, which took the better part of ten years to establish. It's a genuinely intriguing bundle that combines several distinct aspects that the firm has been working on over the years, including spatial audio.
But is $3,500 a compelling price? After experimenting for an hour, I'm not quite sure. Primarily, the cost of the system is too high for most individuals who would be interested in it. Furthermore, we have the impression that the content story is still very much in its early phases. Most of what is available is just a transfer of already-existing apps. In this context, they remain elegant, but it is more difficult to argue that they are innovative..
Taken as a whole, however, the Vision Pro just might be.
Apple Vision Pro to launch with 150 3D movies, immersive films and series, Disney+, Max and more
With its mixed-reality Apple Vision Pro, which arrives on sale on February 2, Apple has revealed a number of entertainment options that will be accessible at launch. 150 3D movies, immersive TV shows and movies, a Travel Mode function, streaming services like Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video, and more will be available when the headgear launches.
Content from Disney+, ESPN, MLB, PGA Tour, Max, Discovery+, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Peacock, Pluto TV, Tubi, Fubo, Crunchyroll, Red Bull TV, IMAX, TikTok, and MUBI can be downloaded and streamed via the Vision Pro. With Safari and other browsers, users may also watch online and stream video..
In addition to other 3D films, users will be able to watch "Avatar: The Way of Water," "Dune," "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," and "The Super Mario Bros." Users who own or purchase films with a 3D edition will be able to view that version on Apple Vision Pro at no additional cost. Users can access 3D versions of qualifying films on the Apple TV app. Apple claims that a number of streaming services, such as Disney+, will make their recently released and well-liked films available in 3D on Vision Pro. At a later time, other titles—including ones that are unique to Disney+ subscribers—will be revealed.
Apple Immersive Video, a brand-new entertainment format with 180-degree 3D 8K recordings made with Spatial Audio, will also be included with the headset. At launch, Apple is providing a carefully chosen assortment of immersive TV shows and films on the Vision Pro. The immersive television shows and films include "Wild Life," which brings viewers up close and personal with unusual creatures, and "Adventure," which follows trailblazing athletes as they take on challenges. "Alicia Keys: Rehearsal Room" and "Prehistoric Planet Immersive" are further inclusions in the set.
The Vision Pro will come pre-installed with two features: "Guest Users," which enables users to share particular apps and experiences with others, and "Travel Mode," which stabilises images for usage on aeroplanes.
According to a press release, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, Greg Joswiak, declared that the Apple Vision Pro was the ultimate entertainment gadget. With Apple Immersive Video, users can enjoy intimate concerts and adventures, transform any space into the best seat in the house, engage with lifelike prehistoric creatures in Encounter Dinosaurs, and even set foot on the moon with Environments. We are eager for users to witness it for themselves because it is unlike anything they have ever seen.
Dolby Vision, wide colour, high dynamic range, and ultra-high resolution micro-OLED panels with a total of 23 million pixels are all included in the headset. Two hours of general use and up to 2.5 hours of video playback are included with the Vision Pro. The headset's external battery must be charged with a USB-C charging connection in order to be used for the entire day.
The $3,500 headset is available for preorder starting on January 19 at 5 a.m. PT. The "more than 1 million" compatible iOS and iPadOS apps in the new Vision Pro App Store, together with experiences created especially for the headset, will be available at launch.