The visionOS SDK is built using the same basic framework that is used by Apple’s other operating systems.
Apple recently introduced visionOS SDK, a set of new tools and technologies that will help developers create compelling app experiences for Apple Vision Pro, which Apple CEO Tim Cook said is “the beginning of a new era for computing.”
Apple developers will be able to create new and innovative spatial computing apps that take full advantage of Vision Pro’s incredible visual and physical capabilities in a number of markets and industries, including gaming, design, productivity, and enterprise.
To help encourage development using visionOS, Apple will be opening developer labs in London, Munich, Tokyo, Singapore, and Cupertino next month where they will provide developers with the opportunity to test their apps on the new Apple Vision Pro hardware. Developers will also have the opportunity to apply for developer kits, which will help them quickly build and iterate their apps.
“Apple Vision Pro redefines what’s possible on a computing platform. Developers can get started building visionOS apps using the powerful frameworks they already know, and take their development even further with new innovative tools and technologies like Reality Composer Pro, to design all-new experiences for their users,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations.
“By taking advantage of the space around the user, spatial computing unlocks new opportunities for our developers, and enables them to imagine new ways to help their users connect, be productive, and enjoy new types of entertainment. We can’t wait to see what our developer community dreams up.”
You and other developers can start creating new experiences that take full advantage of the many capabilities of Vision Pro by leaning hard on the same frameworks they’ve been using for other Apple platforms. These include powerful technologies such as SwiftUI, Xcode, ARKit, and TestFlight. Developers can also take their creativity to the next level with the new innovations recently introduced, such as Reality Composer Pro.
This will allow you to create new types of immersive apps that span a wide spectrum of experiences, such as windows, which can display 3D content and have depth; volumes, which let users experience content that’s viewable from various angles; and spaces, that let users experience content that’s completely immersive.
You can preview and prepare your content for Apple Vision Pro similar to how you would for iPhone and iPad. You can also interact with the new visionOS simulator, which lets you explore and test different room layouts.
Starting next month, anyone who uses Unity’s authoring tools to create 3D games and apps will be able to bring their creations to Apple Vision Pro.
Zac Duff, the founder and CEO of JigSpace, noted that using Apple Vision Pro and JigSpace tools makes it easy for businesses and individuals to communicate their ideas in new and innovative ways by allowing them to easily collaborate with their colleagues and customers anytime, anywhere.
“It uses the high-resolution CAD files companies already have, so their marketing, sales, product, or support teams can securely collaborate with colleagues or customers from anywhere in the world and get people to that ‘Aha!’ moment in a fraction of the time it usually takes,” said Duff. “This level of fast, effective communication simply wasn’t possible before.”
Another area where this could have a massive impact is in manufacturing. Using Apple Vision Pro, manufacturers can easily create and manage interactive 3D content—such as videos, animations, and illustrations—across their entire product line. They can also improve their efficiency by allowing their stakeholders to review content at the same time.
Stephen Prideaux, the chief technology officer of PTC, noted that this capability will allow them to improve their collaboration and innovation in ways previously not possible.
The updated Xcode, Reality Composer Pro, and Simulator, as well as visionOS SDK, are now available for members of the Apple Developer Program. Registered developers can take advantage of the numerous resources that are available to them, such as technical documentation and design kits. These resources can help them create, test, and design apps for Apple Vision Pro.
You can download Apple’s visionOS SDK by clicking here.
Feature Image Credit: Apple
