Developers Have Over 600 Native Vision Pro Apps Ready Today
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Although big names like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify have garnered disproportionate attention for their refusal to allow their apps to run on Apple’s Vision Pro, these companies appear to be the exception by far, as many other developers eagerly embrace Apple’s Vision Pro with native apps.
We’ve been hearing teasers from companies ranging from Microsoft to Disney for a while now, and today, Apple shared the news that there are over 600 new apps available on the App Store today built specifically for the Vision Pro.
To be clear, these aren’t iPad experiences that are merely compatible with the Vision Pro (something that even Netflix refuses to allow) but actual Vision Pro apps built from the ground up to run on Apple’s spatial computing platform — and they go far beyond the usual suspects.
For instance, we’ve known from the beginning that Disney would be all-in on Apple’s headset with a whole new and immersive Disney+ experience, and other streaming apps like Max haven’t been far behind. Even IMAX has jumped on board with some stunning 3D documentaries.
Apple Vision Pro is unlocking the imaginations of our worldwide developer community, and we’re inspired by the range of spatial experiences they’ve created for this exciting new platform. With more than 600 new spatial experiences to explore in the all-new App Store, alongside more than 1 million compatible apps across iOS and iPadOS, users can discover a wide array of apps that expand the boundaries of what’s possible.Susan Prescott, Apple’s VP of Worldwide Developer Relations
However, it might surprise you to discover that even Microsoft has come to the party with a visionOS version of its entire productivity suite, from Word and Excel to Powerpoint and Outlook. Even Microsoft’s Copilot AI features are included.
Venerable Apple-first apps like Fantastical and Things have also announced native Vision Pro experiences, letting you see your calendar and daily task list in Apple’s immersive spatial environments.
Others that Apple is highlighting in the same productivity category include OmniFocus and OmniPlan for project management, JigSpace for creating 3D spatial presentations, MindNode for brainstorming with 3D “mind maps,” Box for file management, and Navi to translate conversations in real-time.
These incredible apps will change how we experience entertainment, music, and games; spark our imaginations with new ways to learn and explore; unlock productivity like never before; and so much more. Developers are already capturing the promise of spatial computing, and we can’t wait to see what they create next.Susan Prescott, Apple’s VP of Worldwide Developer Relations
There will also be a wealth of new experiences for sports fans, including an NBA app that’ll allow basketball fans to put up to five games in front of their eyeballs at the same time with Multiview — either live or on-demand — along with real-time player and team stats.
Baseball fans won’t be left out either, as MLB will put you right in the ballpark with a view from home plate and the usual assortment of stats that all true baseball fans demand. While there’s no specific MLS Vision Pro app, Apple notes that fans can access MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
Others include Red Bull TV, which displays “3D maps of races paired with high-quality video and immersive environments,” and PGA TOUR Vision, which will take you right “onto the greens of the world’s most iconic [golf] courses.”
With Apple Vision Pro and the power of spatial computing, Apple is teeing us up to deliver an innovative and immersive way of experiencing professional golf, PGA TOUR Vision, the first golf app developed for Apple Vision Pro, takes fans inside the ropes and directly onto the greens of the world’s most iconic courses, from Pebble Beach to TPC Sawgrass, no matter where they are.Scott Gutterman, PGA TOUR’s senior vice president of Digital Operations
While Netflix and YouTube fans will have to resort to using Safari to access those services on the Vision Pro — both have blocked even their iPad apps from running on the headset — there are plenty of other streaming options to choose from, including those from cable services like Charter Spectrum, Comcast Xfinity, Cox Contour, Sling TV, and Verizon Fios and streaming-first platforms like ESPN, CBS, Paramount+, NBC, NBC Sports, Peacock, FOX Sports, and the UFC.
While many of these will just provide a floating 2D window, some, like Disney+ and HBO’s Max, have gone the extra mile to create their own immersive environments, including a cool Game of Thrones homage for Max subscribers.
With the Max app for Apple Vision Pro, fans can transform their space using the Iron Throne Room environment for an immersive experience that brings viewers into the iconic Red Keep. The intricate Targaryen-era adornments will make fans feel like they’re watching the programming available on Max in Westeros during the height of their reign.Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content
In addition to the obvious inclusion of FaceTime, Vision Pro users will also be able to take full advantage of Zoom, WebEx, and Microsoft Teams to participate in one-on-one or group video chats for “the ultimate meeting experience.” Individual participants can be moved around the space to mix in windows from productivity apps or take notes, and all of the apps support the digital Persona that allows other participants to see a live version of you even while wearing the headset.
These are also just the tip of the iceberg. Apple has highlighted dozens of games that have been redesigned to be ready to go on the Vision Pro, with full support for game controllers like the PlayStation DualSense and the Xbox Wireless Controller. Nearly every iPad-compatible game on the App Store or Apple Arcade will also be playable on the headset. Still, Apple has taken the time to ensure some of its most popular Arcade titles provide unique Vision Pro experiences, including LEGO Builder’s Journey, Super Fruit Ninja, WHAT THE GOLF?, Cut the Rope 3, Jetpack Joyride 2, and more.
Innovation is in our DNA, so we were super excited to dive into this new technology and take the core gameplay of Jetpack Joyride and Fruit Ninja into new, immersive, and truly captivating experiences, leveraging the incredible technology of the Apple Vision Pro. We hope that players will be blown away by the world of Barry Steakfries in Jetpack Joyride 2, and by being able to transform their living room into their very own Dojo with Super Fruit Ninja.Shainiel Deo, Halfbrick’s CEO
The Vision Pro isn’t just about porting existing iOS and iPadOS apps for spatial computing. Several developers have built entirely new app experiences that traditional 2D screens simply wouldn’t have done justice to. This includes Hold the World, which takes users into London’s Natural History Museum with Sir David Attenborough “to explore rare specimens from its world-famous collection,” and The Archive which lets you go where no one has gone before, “exploring immersive locations, artifacts, and spatial media from the beloved mythology of Star Trek’s Gene Roddenberry and other legendary creators.”
The Vision Pro launched in the United States today and should now be available in Apple Stores across the US, either to purchase or for those who want to stop by and get a demo to see what all the fuss is about. While demonstrations are offered on a first-come-first-served basis in most Apple Stores today, you can schedule them by appointment starting next week.
