This week, following the landmark release of the Apple Vision Pro, the spatial computing device received its first Beta update – giving enthusiasts a chance to try out what the next evolution of the device OS will feel like.
The visionOS 1.1 Beta is available for developers to try out and test their applications on. Moreover, the 1,1 Beta updates come as Apple refined early iterations of the device, ready for a worldwide distribution plan.
The device is currently only available for US customers, with a broader distribution plan in the works. Moreover, users wishing to access the most recent 1.1 update must have a developer head-band or visit a retail store.
Vision Pro 1.1 Update: 3D Asset Interaction
In the new update, Vision Pro users will gain more control over 3D asset interaction, allowing users to pull spatial objects closer to them – increasing clarity and ease of use.
Interacting with 3D assets within the Vision Pro spatial computing environments is critical to the device’s interaction and usability. The 1.1 update looks to improve this element of the Vision Pro, and while users appear happy with the device’s interaction, allowing users to interact with 3D assets closer to them is critical for enabling use cases at small office/work-from-home environments and other settings such as working on the go.
The device achieves this via an updated near-user boundary for volumetric scenes that enables users to reposition volumetric scenes much closer than in the previous version, which the firm hopes allows for easier direct interaction with the volumetric scene content.
Vision Pro 1.1 Update: Personas
Another element that leads to more cynicism is the device’s persona feature. The device can track a user’s facial movement and eyes to create a digital twin of users, known as a Persona, and communicate with others via that digital representation.
While impressive, the feature is clearly in its early stages – some audiences are criticising it for its uncanny valley qualities.
The new update looks to improve that, with the update notes explaining that it fixes Persona “enrollment” and, in turn, enhances eye tracking. Moreover, developers are reporting that the device will soon have significantly improved avatars when the Persona framework gets its next public launch – with developers posting side-by-side comparisons of their persona immersive avatars before and after the most recent developer update.
Vision Pro 1.1 Update: SwiftUI
The other noteworthy update is its SwiftUI framework, which enables a coordinated spatial environment and managing 360 immersive application placement. Vision Pro’s 1.1 updates improved application placement and tracking of environmental changes.
The 1.1 update is just a small one; as the device grows into its first few months, it will likely see many updates readying the XR device for a worldwide market.
Notably, the iPhone’s first version looks monumentally different from the current iOS version. If the Vision Pro has a similar shelf life in the coming years, the platform will most likely be unidentifiable in comparison.