Apple VisionOS 26 Boosts Mixed Reality with New Features

Apple’s latest update to VisionOS, version 26, marks a significant leap forward for the Vision Pro mixed reality headset. Unveiled at WWDC, this update focuses on expanding gaming capabilities, enhancing user security, and providing developers with powerful new tools to create immersive spatial experiences.

One of the standout features is the support for Sony’s PSVR 2 Sense hand controllers, allowing users to play spatial games on the Vision Pro with familiar, high-precision input devices. This integration is poised to boost the gaming ecosystem on Apple’s spatial platform, inviting developers to create richer, more interactive experiences.

Security and personalization also receive major enhancements. Users can now securely save their eye and hand data, enabling seamless guest access across devices without compromising privacy. Additionally, the new protected content API ensures sensitive information, such as medical data, remains visible only to authorized viewers.

Creativity gets a boost with Logitech Muse, a new app designed for Vision Pro that lets users draw directly within their spatial environment. This tool exemplifies how VisionOS 26 is expanding beyond gaming into productivity and creative applications.

Enhanced User Experience and Browsing

VisionOS 26 introduces improved 90Hz hand tracking and look-to-scroll functionality, making navigation more intuitive and fluid. Safari now supports spatial browsing, allowing users to explore web content in a three-dimensional context, which transforms how information is consumed in mixed reality.

Widgets have evolved into spatial elements that integrate seamlessly into the user’s environment. These widgets are customizable in frame width, color, and depth, providing personalized information at a glance and reappearing consistently whenever the Vision Pro is worn.

Broad Content and Enterprise Support

VisionOS 26 expands content compatibility by supporting 180-degree, 360-degree, and wide field-of-view media from popular devices like Insta360, GoPro, and Canon. This wide POV content support enriches the immersive experience for users consuming diverse spatial media.

For enterprises, new APIs enable the creation of unique spatial experiences tailored specifically for VisionOS. This opens doors for businesses to innovate in training, collaboration, and customer engagement within mixed reality environments.

Overall, VisionOS 26 is a comprehensive update that not only enhances the user experience but also empowers developers and enterprises to push the boundaries of what’s possible in mixed reality. With improved input support, security, content versatility, and spatial customization, Apple is setting a new standard for immersive computing.