Apple has rolled out a new wave of betas for all of its systems like iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. For the first time, the brand also releases the visionOS SDK, which allows you to simulate the operation of your system.
Apple Vision Pro // Source: Apple
Apple presented its Vision Pro at WWDC. This is the brand’s first mixed reality headset, which inevitably raises many questions about its use and its onboard visionOS system. Especially since only a small handful of journalists and influencers were able to try out the headset without reporting a single image. So there is a real mystery surrounding the object.
With the overnight release of the first-ever visionOS SDK, part of the mystery disappears. In fact, the company offers a visionOS simulator that makes it possible to emulate the operation of the helmet system on a Mac. We immediately installed it to share the images.
Oh, the beautiful living room
Obviously a Mac doesn’t have the sensors needed to run a Vision Pro helmet at all. So Apple has to simulate the environment of the headset, creating a 3D flat reminiscent of the most beautiful raised floors of Zoom or Google Meet.
The few standard applications offered by Apple are present. We find photos, safari or files. Above all, it is possible to access the settings to deal with the helmet’s options.
The user interface largely follows the layout codes of macOS applications. For example, on the left with the search bar we find the menu of the different options and in the right window the details of the selected menu.
Two privacy settings caught our attention. The first is “Surroundings”, meaning your immediate surroundings, and the second is called “Hand Structure & Movements”, meaning recognizing hand gestures. In both cases, the purpose of the menu is to list the applications that you have allowed to use these features. In other words, it will be possible to fine-tune how visionOS applications access these mixed reality-specific features.
Options are still missing from the general settings menus, but with settings for the keyboard, languages, dictionary, contacts, Apple account, etc. we find most of what’s on offer on the iPhone.
There are only a few applications that Apple preinstalled in this first beta. We find Apple Plan, Safari, Calendar, Reminders or even Apple News and Shortcuts.
The simulator allows you to define other environments such as a kitchen instead of a living room, but this does not change the use of the system. There are two things to note about this image. First access to the control center, which, like on an iPad or iPhone, allows you to quickly adjust some parameters: WiFi, airplane mode or even the volume. The second is the window display system. Here we’ve launched the Files app on top of the Settings app, which can easily be seen in the background.
visionOS also offers a selection of virtual environments, but they didn’t work in our test. With the helmet on, this option should allow you to dive into places like a mountain top or a sandy beach.
As mentioned above, visionOS integrates a files application similar to that of iOS or iPadOS from the start. Apple aims to replace using a Mac with this helmet. Good management of the work files is therefore absolutely necessary.
Finally, note a small subtlety in the navigation of the system. At the home level, Apple offers a system with three tabs on the left. The first provides access to applications, the second to your contacts to quickly trigger Facetime, and the third to 3D environments to change the mood.
How do I download the visionOS simulator?
Here is a quick overview of what the simulator offers in this first beta. Obviously this doesn’t replace the experience you could have with the real helmet on your head. It’s all about giving developers the ability to build and test their applications without having the headset in hand.
The visionOS simulator can be downloaded for Mac from the Apple developer site. The company also offers explanations on this page to reflect on its first mixed reality app from Apple.
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