Apple Vision Pro SDK now available for developers

Apple on Wednesday unveiled the visionOS SDK, a set of tools that will help developers to create apps for the Apple Vision Pro mixed reality headset.   

Apple is set to launch its first spatial computer in the US next year, and they are equipping app developers with the necessary tools to create apps for this device. In contrast to Apple's other products, the upcoming mixed reality headset will employ three different modes of interaction: eyes, hands, and voice. Through the visionOS SDK, developers can customise their apps to harness these capabilities and take advantage of the specialised hardware integrated into the device.  

The SDK is built upon the same foundational framework used in Apple's various operating systems. It leverages familiar development tools like Xcode, SwiftUI, RealityKit, ARKit, and TestFlight.  

“Developers can get started building visionOS apps using the powerful frameworks they already know, and take their development even further with new innovative tools and technologies like Reality Composer Pro, to design all-new experiences for their users,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations.   

The Apple Developer website has announced the availability of the visionOS SDK for developers. To create spatial computing apps for the Apple Vision Pro, developers can now download Xcode 15 Beta 2, which includes the latest visionOS SDK and a tool called Reality Composer Pro for visualising and previewing 3D content on the headset.  

According to the blog post, developers can utilize a visionOS simulator to interact with their apps during the development process. This simulator enables them to test how their apps will look in various lighting conditions or different room layouts. With the SDK, users can either adapt an existing app project for the headset or build a brand-new application from scratch.  

Apple is also expanding its developer tools with the introduction of Reality Composer Pro. This Xcode feature simplifies the preview of 3D models, images, sounds, and animations on the headset. To provide a virtual experience without the need for actual hardware, there is also a simulator. Unity development tools will be incorporated next month, addressing the initial absence of gaming experiences in the original presentation.  

The announcement further emphasizes the Pro's focus on enterprise applications. Stephen Prideaux-Ghee, PTC's chief technology officer of AR/VR, mentioned how manufacturers can utilise AR solutions from PTC to collaborate on critical business problems, bringing interactive 3D content into the real world using Apple Vision Pro. This allows stakeholders from different departments and locations to review content simultaneously, aiding in design and operation decisions.