Introducing visionOS, Apple's latest operating system designed specifically for the upcoming Apple Vision Pro augmented reality headset. Unveiled at the WWDC conference, visionOS marks Apple's foray into spatial computing, powering immersive augmented and virtual reality experiences. While sharing core elements with MacOS and iOS, visionOS incorporates a specialized "real-time subsystem" to handle interactive visuals on the Vision Pro.
The standout feature of visionOS is its three-dimensional interface, which liberates apps from the confines of traditional displays. Apps can now coexist side by side at varying scales, adapting to changes in natural light and employing shadows to convey depth and distance effectively.
Image Credits: Apple
Upon launch, visionOS will showcase an array of apps, including native Unity apps for the Vision Pro, as well as offerings from major developers such as Adobe (Lightroom), Microsoft (Teams and Office), Cisco (WebEx), Zoom, and more. There will be medical software for anatomical renderings and engineering applications to visualize physics phenomena on real-world objects, like airflow.
Accompanying the Vision Pro, visionOS supports EyeSight, a feature that projects the wearer's eyes onto the headset's curved outer display.
Apple also emphasized the security measures in visionOS, introducing Optic ID as a new authentication system. Optic ID employs iris scans, encrypts the data, and works in conjunction with the Secure Enclave, a security subsystem integrated into Apple's system-on-chips. During the presentation, Apple assured users that telemetry data, including interactions with apps and websites, would remain private.