In preparation for the upcoming release of the Vision Pro AR headset in early 2024, Apple has initiated the distribution of developer kits to a chosen group of eligible applicants.
This week, the company made an announcement regarding the Vision Pro developer kits, which will be made available to approved account holders within the Apple Developer Program. Interested developers are required to submit an application for the kit, providing comprehensive details about their team’s development skills and existing applications. They must also agree to the specified terms and conditions to be considered for participation.
As part of the terms and conditions, Apple maintains the right to review a list of authorized staff members who will have access to the dev kit. The terms explicitly prohibit family members, friends, roommates, and household employees from accessing, viewing, or handling the Vision Pro. Additionally, developers are strictly restricted from engaging in any public discussions, either in person or on social media, about Vision Pro.
Approved developers will not only receive the Vision Pro headset hardware but also benefit from comprehensive support services. This includes assistance with setting up the Vision Pro and onboarding, regular check-ins with Apple experts to provide guidance on UI design and development, as well as help in troubleshooting any code-related issues.
Apple has outlined that priority will be given to applicants who are developing an app that utilizes the features and capabilities of visionOS, the operating system that powers Vision Pro. Regardless of the approval date, all developers will be required to return their development kit upon request.
In conjunction with the rollout of the developer kit, Apple has also announced plans to conduct Vision Pro developer labs in various global locations, such as Cupertino, London, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo. Interested developers can apply for these labs through the company’s official website. Furthermore, to ensure that apps are fully optimized for the visionOS platform, Apple has made available a comprehensive compatibility checklist. This checklist aims to guide developers in preparing their applications to deliver the best possible experience on the Vision Pro headset.
The Vision Pro, unveiled during Apple’s WWDC conference in June, is slated to hit retail stores within the next few months, priced at $3,499. Representing Apple’s most significant product launch since the Apple Watch in 2014, the Vision Pro showcases remarkable ambition, boasting an impressive array of sensors and cameras that facilitate what Apple terms “spatial computing” experiences.
Upon its release, visionOS will offer a wide range of apps, including Unity apps specifically designed to run natively on the Vision Pro. Major developers, such as Adobe with Lightroom, Microsoft with Teams and Office, Netflix, Cisco with WebEx, Zoom, and others, will have their apps available. The platform will also feature medical software for examining anatomical renders and an engineering app capable of visualizing phenomena like airflow on real-world objects.
To host these applications, Apple is introducing a brand-new app store that will launch simultaneously with the Vision Pro. Additionally, Apple promises that over 100 Apple Arcade titles will be accessible on VisionOS from “day one,” providing an extensive selection of gaming experiences for users.
