Apple Opening Developer Labs For Vision Pro AR Headset In Singapore, China & Japan
Apple is now welcoming developers to bring their apps to life on its forthcoming Vision Pro augmented reality (AR) headset.
The Cupertino, California-based tech giant today released the software development kit (SDK) for visionOS, the operating system powering the high-end headset. The software tools and technologies would enable the global community of developers to create app experiences that take advantage of the headset's spatial computing capabilities across different categories, including productivity, design and gaming, among others.
Along with the release of the SDK, Apple also announced it would be opening developer labs in different countries around the world next month. The labs would allow developers to get hands-on experience to test their apps on the Vision Pro hardware and receive support from Apple engineers. Locations include Cupertino, London, Munich, Singapore, Shanghai and Tokyo.
Developers could also apply for developer kits of the headset, so they can quickly build and test their apps on the Vision Pro without needing to go to any of the developer labs.
Apple suggests that there won't be a significant learning curve to developing apps for visionOS as it uses the same foundational frameworks from the tech giant's other platforms, including Xcode, SwiftUI, RealityKit, ARKit and TestFlight. These tools would let developers create new types of apps that span a spectrum of immersion, including windows, which have depth and feature 3D content, for example.
To help developers optimise 3D content for their visionOS apps and games, Apple also included an all-new tool in Xcode called Reality Composer Pro, which prepares and previews 3D models, animations, images and sounds.
Developers can also interact with their apps in the new visionOS simulator to explore and test various room layouts and lighting conditions.
Every developer framework additionally comes with built-in support for Apple's accessibility features, ensuring spatial computing and visionOS apps are accessible to everyone.
Also, starting next month, developers who have been building 3D apps and games using Unity’s authoring tools can port their apps to Apple Vision Pro and take advantage of its capabilities.
"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 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."
Apple has released the software development kit (SDK) for visionOS, the operating system powering the Vision Pro AR headset.
Along with the release of the SDK, Apple also announced it would be opening developer labs in different countries around the world next month.
The labs would allow developers to get hands-on experience to test their apps on the Vision Pro hardware and receive support from Apple engineers.
Locations include Cupertino, London, Munich, Singapore, Shanghai and Tokyo.