3 Minutes
At the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025, Apple introduced visionOS 26, the latest update to its spatial computing operating system for the Vision Pro headset. This release brings a suite of enhancements designed to make daily interactions more immersive and personalized, aligning with Apple's new naming convention that reflects the release year across all operating systems.
Spatial Widgets: Seamless Integration into User Environments
A standout feature of visionOS 26 is the introduction of spatial widgets. These widgets integrate seamlessly into the user's environment, reappearing each time the Vision Pro headset is worn. Users can customize widgets with various frame widths, colors, and depths, tailoring their spatial computing experience. New widgets for Clock, Weather, Music, and Photos offer unique interactions, such as quick access to playlists in Apple Music or displaying panoramic images from personal memories. The Widgets app assists users in discovering compatible widgets from iOS and iPadOS apps, while developers can create custom widgets using WidgetKit.
Enhanced Shared Spatial Experiences and Naturalistic Personas
visionOS 26 introduces the capability for users to share spatial experiences with others in the same room who are also using Vision Pro. This feature enables collective activities like watching 3D movies, playing VR games, or collaborating on projects. Additionally, FaceTime integration allows users from different locations to join these shared experiences. The update also enhances Personas, making them more natural and familiar. Utilizing volumetric rendering and machine learning, the new Personas exhibit realistic facial expressions and detailed features, including accurate hair, eyelashes, and skin tones. The creation process remains swift, with improved setup options allowing users to adjust their Persona's appearance spatially and choose from over 1,000 eyewear models.
AI-Driven Spatial Scenes: Bringing Photos to Life
Leveraging advanced AI algorithms and depth computation, visionOS 26 introduces 'Spatial Scenes,' which add realistic depth to spatial photos. This technology generates multiple viewpoints, giving users the sensation of peering into and around their photos. Spatial Scenes can be viewed in the Photos app, Spatial Gallery, and Safari. Developers can utilize the Spatial Scene API to create more immersive app experiences.
Conclusion
With visionOS 26, Apple continues to push the boundaries of spatial computing, offering users and developers enhanced tools for creating and experiencing immersive digital environments. The integration of spatial widgets, shared experiences, and AI-driven depth in photos marks a significant advancement in making interactions more engaging and personalized on the Vision Pro platform.
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