Apple today announced visionOS 2, the first major update to the Vision Pro's operating system. The first visionOS 2 beta is now available for Apple Developer Program members, and the update will be released to the public later this year.
visionOS 2 includes a range of new features and changes, such as a redesigned Photos app with SharePlay support, the ability to turn existing 2D photos into spatial photos with machine learning, new hand gestures for frequently used features like Home View and Control Center, a larger ultra-wide version of Mac Virtual Display that is equivalent to two 4K monitors side by side, and support for a physical mouse.
visionOS 2 also adds a basic feature that was missing on the Vision Pro at launch: the ability to rearrange apps and place them wherever you want.
Travel Mode gains support for trains on visionOS 2, while the Guest User option can now save a guest's eye and hand data for 30 days.
visionOS 2 includes new APIs and frameworks for developers of Vision Pro apps, such as HealthKit for health data and TabletopKit for tabletop games.
Apple's press release outlined some additional visionOS 2 features, such as AirPlay receiving mode and systemwide Live Captions:
- 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.
Apple also announced that the Vision Pro will be launching in eight additional countries by mid-July, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the UK, China, Japan, and Singapore. The headset first launched in the U.S. in February.
