This week, during its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2024, Apple revealed new enterprise-facing APIs to help business customers better leverage the device’s spatial computing offering.
Moreover, the fresh APIs mark a continuing effort to support Vision Pro application developers in creating enterprise-focused spatial computing solutions.
Apple is improving sensor access and visual capabilities as part of the Vision Pro enterprise API update. Apple achieves this by opening access to the device’s primary camera, improving capture and streaming between Vision Pro users. During a WWDC promotional video, Apple highlighted how the improved camera support improves video feeds to assist with collaboration.
The primary camera now supports capturing input data, passthrough, and wearer-composite feed, opening developer flexibility for immersive remote communications.
Moreover, Apple is introducing a spatial barcode and QR code scanning framework. QR codes are commonplace across consumer and enterprise immersive experiences, especially location-based ones.
Now, Vision Pro devices can easily scan barcodes and QR codes, allowing users to access immersive experiences and location-based content.
Apple’s new enterprise API updates also include support for Apple Neural Engine, which will improve the machine learning process on Vision Pro.
Additionally, Vision Pro is gaining improved object-tracking capabilities for better content interaction and streaming, which Apple notes allows enterprise users to customise application performance to suit intensive workloads.
The enterprise APIs are only available to Apple Developer Program or Apple Developer Enterprise Program account holders via request.
Enterprise API updates for the Vision Pro are important and could be crucial to improving enterprise adoption of the device. While the technology is impressive, many enterprise solutions providers—such as service providers Box, Craft, Fantastical, MindNode, Slack, Things 3, Webex, Zoom, and Microsoft 365—are partnering to boost the development, and supporting these groups is vital to continued support.
Further use cases and applications are one of the many keys needed to ensure the device’s success. Apple seemingly targets the right markets and partners to push the vision; however, adoption could also depend on other factors, such as price and form factors.
During Nvidia’s recent keynote, CEO Jensen Huang emphasized the company’s support for Apple Vision Pro in various sectors, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and design, through its Omniverse ecosystem. This emphasizes the growing influence of Apple Vision Pro across different industries.
Apple is making significant advancements in the enterprise market with Vision Pro. By launching nine new regions, Apple is clearly aiming to make Vision Pro more widespread in workplaces. Additionally, Apple’s interest in the XR space has led to increased investments in the market, resulting in a competitive pool of vendors vying for the top spot in the enterprise space.
visionOS 2 Revealed at WWDC
Apple’s debut device has received massive interest. To support this influx of emerging immersive applications, the firm is upgrading the operating system, powering the Vision Pro to visionOS version 2.
During the WWDC keynote, Apple CEO Tim Cook said:
The enthusiasm for Apple Vision Pro has been extraordinary, and we are thrilled to introduce the magic of spatial computing to more customers around the world. We can’t wait for more people to see the impossible become possible, whether working and collaborating with an infinite canvas for apps, reliving treasured memories in three dimensions, watching TV shows and movies in a one-of-a-kind personal cinema, or enjoying brand-new spatial experiences that defy imagination.
The visionOS update is prepared for Vision Pro users after several beta testing stages—Apple plans to release the update this fall, free for all users.
Although Apple has not disclosed all the new features of visionOS 2, the company is highlighting new tools for 3D spatial recordings, new hand gestures for the Home View space, Mac Virtual Display optimization, Travel Mode, and Guest User updates.
Apple Vision Pro International Pre Orders Open this Month
Apple announced at WWDC that the Vision Pro will be available for worldwide preorder in eight new regions this month. The rollout will allow all selected areas to get hands-on with the device by early next month.
Pre-orders for China (mainland, 24,502 CNY), Japan (484,415 JPY), and Singapore (4,725 SGD) start this Thursday, June 13, at 6 p.m. PT. Apple plans to release the product on Friday, June 28.
Moreover, Apple is opening pre-orders for Australia (5,195 AUD), Canada (4,725 CAD), France (3,245 EUR), Germany (3,245 EUR), and the United Kingdom (2,785 GBP) regions later this month on Friday, June 28, at 5 a.m. PT, with general availability starting on Friday, July 12.
The product includes additional accessories, including a solo knit band, a dual loop band, a personalized light seal with two light seal cushions, an Apple Vision Pro cover, a polishing cloth, a battery, a USB-C charge cable, and a USB-C power adapter. Moreover, the package includes ZEISS Optical Prescription inserts that improve clarity.
