Apple Unveils visionOS SDK
Apple has unveiled the visionOS software development kit (SDK) enabling third-party developers to build spatial computing apps for the upcoming Vision Pro headset. The announcement came through on June 21, marking a significant milestone in Apple’s journey towards revolutionizing the field of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR).
The new SDK, available via Xcode 15 beta 2, empowers developers to leverage the infinite canvas of Apple Vision Pro, blending digital content with the physical world to create extraordinary experiences. Developers can now add a visionOS target to their existing projects or construct entirely new apps, iterating on their designs in Xcode Previews. Apple has also introduced the all-new visionOS simulator to help developers interact with their apps, explore various room layouts, and create tests and visualizations. Alongside these, new documentation and sample code have been provided to assist developers in their journey.
Susan Prescott, VP of Worldwide Developer Relations at Apple, shared her excitement about the new platform. “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,” Prescott said.
Developers can utilize the unique capabilities of Vision Pro and visionOS to design brand-new app experiences across a plethora of categories including productivity, design, gaming, and more. The spatial computing capability of Vision Pro opens up a myriad of opportunities, enabling developers to create novel ways for users to connect, be productive, and enjoy entertainment.
Industry experts are already anticipating the transformative potential of the new SDK. Karim Morsy, CEO of djay app maker Algoriddim, commented on the potential for immersive music experiences: “The djay app on Apple Vision Pro puts a fully featured DJ system right at a user’s fingertips. With a reimagined spatial interface, anyone can mix their favorite music and apply real-time effects using just their eyes and hands”.
Stephen Prideaux-Ghee, CTO of AR/VR at PTC, remarked on the potential impact on business collaboration: “With Apple Vision Pro, stakeholders across departments and in different locations can review content simultaneously to make design and operation decisions. This capability will unlock a level of collaboration previously not possible”.
In an effort to facilitate the development process, Apple plans to establish developer labs next month in Cupertino, London, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo. These labs will provide developers with hands-on experience with Vision Pro hardware and support for developing their apps. Development teams can also apply for developer kits starting in July, potentially gaining access to pre-release models of the Vision Pro hardware.
The visionOS SDK comes bundled with an updated Xcode, Simulator, and Reality Composer Pro. Developers can utilize familiar frameworks like SwiftUI, RealityKit, and ARKit to build apps for visionOS. With the release of the visionOS SDK, developers now have the opportunity to explore the possibilities of Apple Vision Pro and shape the future of AR and VR experiences.
As developers embark on their journeys to build apps for Vision Pro, the tech world watches in anticipation of the innovative experiences that will emerge from this cutting-edge platform. The release of the visionOS SDK marks a new chapter in Apple’s commitment to shaping the future of spatial computing and AR/VR experiences.
