If you follow tech news even a little, you'll be well aware of Apple's next big swing for commercial dominance. 

Apple Vision Pro is a new mixed reality headset that was announced at the tech giant's Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2023. It's the first such headset from Apple and is expected to be released in early 2024.

Apple revolutionised the modest mobile and birthed a generation of smartphones. But as they step into the world of XR, will lightning strike twice? 

Only time can tell. But in the meantime, it might be worth familiarising yourself with what Vision Pro is likely to have on offer. After all, great hardware is nothing without software, right?

Let's run down some of the confirmed and rumoured apps coming to Apple Vision Pro.

RealityKit

First things first, a little app-ception. Because there wouldn't be any apps unless developers had an app to develop, erm… apps.

That's why Apple has been quick to confirm that its RealityKit framework will be available to developers for the creation of Vision Pro apps and 3D experiences.

The framework has been available since 2019 and has allowed developers to build AR experiences for the iOS App Store.

Still, this compatibility with Vision Pro is a surefire way to make sure eager developers have apps ready to go, come 2024. 

Disney+

You might know this one already if you watched Apple's Vision Pro announcement.

Demonstrations and mock-ups cameoed many Disney IPs, so the fact you'll be able to stream Disney+ on Vision Pro should come as no surprise. 

Microsoft productivity apps

It's been confirmed that many of Microsoft's most popular offerings will be coming to Vision Pro. Apple has briefly demonstrated Excel, Word and Teams running inside the Vision Pro headset, complete with a user interface that can be controlled with your eyes. 

Apple only gave us a glimpse of the Teams interface, but it did confirm that Microsoft will be supporting its 3D avatars. These use machine learning to virtually recreate the user's face.

Zoom

Microsoft Teams isn't the only videoconferencing solution coming to Vision Pro. Zoom has also confirmed that it will support the device, allowing users to hold virtual meetings in a 3D space.

Adobe Lightroom

Adobe Lightroom has been confirmed to be compatible with Vision Pro. The app was shown off during the initial announcement presentation, where it was controlled with eye and hand gestures. 

Having another big name on board will undoubtedly push other developers to eagerly adapt their iPad and iPhone apps for Apple's new headset.

iPad and iPhone apps

Apple is using the same software frameworks available on iPadOS and iOS to power visionOS, its new spatial operating system.

This means that a whole slew of iPhone and iPad apps will launch alongside Vision Pro. According to Apple, "nearly all iPad and iPhone apps can run on visionOS unmodified" and will be published automatically to the new Vision Pro App Store.

The only exceptions are apps that use features that aren't available on Vision Pro. But it's safe to say that many of your favourite iPhone or iPad apps will be available at launch.

Apple apps

Apple has worked hard to create its own cross-device app ecosystem. So, it should come as no surprise that many familiar Apple-developed apps will be available on Vision Pro.

On its website, Apple currently lists apps like Apple TV, Notes, Photos, Safari, Mail, Messages and Keynote. All the key productivity and entertainment software you'd expect, in other words.

Rumoured: Maps 

Apple has already developed a great augmented reality interface in Maps for use on handheld devices.

In iOS 15, the company introduced AR-based walking directions, which allow you to hold up your iPhone and see large labels overlaid on a live camera view.

The feature was initially only available in a few cities, but it has quietly expanded to over 80 regions worldwide in recent years.

Maps is not yet confirmed for Apple Vision Pro. However, the tech giant's forays into AR technology suggest that a release may be on the cards.

Missing in action…

Applications similar to those available on other XR headsets are eventually expected to make an appearance for Vision Pro.

However, some of the biggest use cases for consumers are yet to be demonstrated by Apple. We've yet to see much in the way of fitness applications and games, for instance. 

This may be deliberate. Apple is positioning Vision Pro primarily as a tool for productivity and (sedentary) entertainment. It might be that the hardware is simply not designed – or built – for high-impact workouts or frenetic gaming sessions.

Conclusion

These are just a handful of media rumours regarding Apple Vision Pro. It will certainly be interesting to see how the device will measure up to other XR headsets that are already on the market. 

At Expand Reality, we're passionate about helping enterprises increase efficiency, productivity and employee satisfaction using XR technology. 

Want to discuss how implementing XR solutions could transform the way you do business? Don't hesitate to get in touch.