Apple has rolled out a new wave of betas for all of its systems like iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. For the first time, the brand is also publishing the visionOS SDK which allows you to simulate the operation of your system.
Apple unveiled its Vision Pro at WWDC. This is the brand’s first mixed reality headset, which inevitably brings up a lot of questions about its use and its on-board system, visionOS. Especially only one small handful of journalists and influencers were able to try the helmet on without reporting a single image. There is therefore a real mystery that persists around the object.
With the release overnight of the very first visionOS SDK, part of the mystery disappears. The firm offers, in fact, a visionOS simulator, which makes it possible to emulate the operation of the helmet system on a Mac. We immediately installed it to share the images.
Oh the beautiful living room
Obviously, a Mac does not at all integrate the array of sensors necessary for the operation of a Vision Pro helmet. Apple must therefore simulate the environment of the headset, which results in a 3D flat that is reminiscent of the prettiest false bottoms of Zoom or Google Meet.
The few default applications offered by Apple are there. We find Photos, Safari or Files. Above all, it is possible to access the settings to start digging into the options of the helmet.
The interface broadly follows the layout codes of macOS applications. We find, for example, the menu of the different options on the left with the search bar, and on the right window, the detail of the chosen menu.
Two privacy settings caught our attention. The first is ” Surroundings “, that is to say your close environment, and the second is called “ Hand Structure & Movements », that is to say the recognition of hand gestures. In both cases, the purpose of the menu is to list the applications that you have authorized to use these functions. In other words, it will be possible to fine-tune the access of visionOS applications to these functions specific to mixed reality.
The general settings menus still lack options, but we find most of what is offered on the iPhone with the settings for the keyboard, languages, dictionary, contacts, Apple account, etc.
The applications preinstalled by Apple on this first beta are few. We find Apple Plan, Safari, calendar, reminders or even Apple News and Shortcuts.
The simulator allows you to define other environments such as a kitchen rather than a living room, but this does not change the use of the system. Two things should be noted about this image. First access to the Control Center which allows, as on an iPad or an iPhone, to quickly adjust a few parameters: Wi-Fi, Airplane mode or even the sound volume. The second is the window display system. Here we’ve launched the Files app on top of the Settings app which can be seen very lightly drawn in the background.
visionOS also includes a choice of virtual environments, but they didn’t work during our test. With the helmet, this option should allow you to immerse yourself in places like the top of a mountain or a sandy beach.
We mentioned it above, visionOS integrates from the start a Files application similar to that of iOS or iPadOS. Apple has the ambition to allow you to replace the use of a Mac with this helmet, it will therefore absolutely be necessary to allow good management of work files.
Finally, note a small subtlety in the navigation of the system. At the home level, Apple offers a system of three tabs on the left. The first provides access to applications, the second to your contacts to quickly trigger Facetime and the third to 3D environments to change the mood.
How to download the visionOS simulator?
Here is a quick overview of what the simulator offers in this first beta. Obviously this does not replace the experience that one could have with the real helmet on the head. It’s mainly about being able to let developers create and test their applications without the headset in their hands.
The visionOS Simulator is available for download for Mac from Apple’s site dedicated to developers. The firm also offers explanations on this page to start thinking about its first mixed reality Apple application.
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