The Worldwide Developers Conference, held in early June, is the customary platform for Apple to unveil changes to its operating systems, including iOS, watchOS, and macOS. The subsequent iterations are released intermittently, often in August or September.
If Apple maintains this trend with VisionOS (and it is unlikely that they will not), VisionOS 2 will be released simultaneously. According to a claim by AppleInsider, developers are already seeing VisionOS 2 in Apple’s logs, indicating a very probable release this year.
VisionOS 2 Features
Our expectations for Vision OS 2 are mostly based on wishful thinking, although we anticipate the inclusion of some functions that have been available on previous Apple products for a considerable period, as well as improved compatibility between them.
Parker Ortolani, a product developer, has devised a design for VisionOS 2 that encompasses several desirable enhancements, such as a customized home screen, app folders, and a notification center.
The inclusion of home-screen customization, which has been available to iPhone users since iOS 12, would be a positive development. However, the specific features of VisionOS 2 will not be revealed until at least June.
Additional characteristics that many have been anticipating encompass:
- Reminders for breaks
- Additional gesture controls
- The provision of assistance for many users
- The action button is associated with expedient chores and shortcuts.
- Engaging in telephonic communication with a headset.
- The process of unlocking an Apple Watch or iPhone
VisionOS Interface
VisionOS is a specialized operating system designed specifically for the Apple Vision Pro. It is Apple’s first spatial computing operating system. This technology has a unique characteristic as it is specifically designed for use inside a virtual environment while bearing resemblance to the iOS operating system. Essentially, it involves integrating digital material into your real environment.
There is a Home View that resembles iOS and functions as the central hub, similar to the Home Screen. The designated location for accessing all accessible material on Vision Pro, including installed applications, is the designated interface.
Software is executed via applications, such as on macOS and iOS. To engage in activities like watching a movie, playing a game, or doing work, it is necessary to launch the corresponding application. This experience is entirely novel, but it will be recognizable to users of iPhones and iPads.
The VisionOS software has a comprehensive three-dimensional interface, whereby the app icons, windows, and other items exhibit dynamic responsiveness to variations in natural light and shadows. This dynamic behavior aids in the determination of the distance and size of virtual components inside the environment.
VisionOS 2 Hardware
Due to its exclusive compatibility with the Vision Pro headset, VisionOS is only compatible with this particular gear. Although there is a single iteration of Vision Pro, priced at $3,500, it is worth noting that the anticipated entry-level alternative may be released within the next year, and will also have VisionOS.
VisionOS 2 Price
New versions of operating systems are usually free, and VisionOS 2 should be no different.
Pre-Order Information
Apple does not currently provide pre-orders for its operating systems; however, it is possible to participate in a public beta after the official announcement. For more information, please go to Apple’s beta program webpage.
VisionOS Controls
Ocular movements, hand gestures, and spoken instructions all contribute to the manipulation of vision. The process involves visually observing an object to emphasize its significance, followed by using a gesture to engage with it. Below is a list of the possible gesture possibilities.
- The act of tapping the thumb and index finger together serves as a means of communicating to the headset the intention to touch a virtual element present on the currently seen display. This phenomenon has been characterized by users as a pinch, which may be likened to the act of tapping on the screen of an iPhone.
- The double tap gesture is initiated by tapping twice.
- The pinch and hold motion has a resemblance to the tap and hold gesture, serving the purpose of text highlighting.
- The actions of pinching and dragging may be used to perform scrolling and window manipulation. One can scroll either horizontally or vertically, and by increasing the speed of hand movement, one may get a higher scrolling speed.
- A zoom gesture is classified as one of the two primary two-handed motions. To zoom closer, you may clench your fingers and separate your hands, whereas zooming out will likely involve a pushing action. Dragging at the corners can change the size of the windows.
- According to Apple’s chart, rotation is a two-handed motion that involves rotating the hands and squeezing the fingers together to control virtual objects.
Gestures will synergize with eye motions, while the several cameras in the Vision Pro will precisely monitor your visual location. The placement of one’s eyes plays a crucial role in effectively directing hand gestures toward the desired object of interaction. For instance, while seeing an application icon or on-screen element, one might direct their attention to it and emphasize its significance, thus enabling them to execute a gesture.
Grandiose hand movements are unnecessary, and it is OK to keep your hands in your lap. Apple is promoting this idea since it will prevent fatigue in your hands and arms caused by prolonged hand-held positions. The camera can accurately track exact motions, enabling the equivalent of a tap to be achieved with just a little pinch gesture.
Your current view will enable you to choose and operate items that are nearby as well as those that are far away. Apple foresees situations when you may choose to use more substantial motions to handle objects that are directly in front of you. You can extend your hand and use your fingers to engage with an item. As an example, in the scenario where a Safari window is positioned directly in front of the user, it is possible to extend the hand and navigate through the window instead of relying on the fingers positioned in the lap.
The introductory films, extracted from the VisionOS software, showcase the use of eye- and gesture-based navigation. Apple guides customers in the process of examining a system piece and making a selection with a simple touch at their fingertips. The headgear can detect hand motions, even in instances when the hands are in a state of ease.
Developers can generate personalized gestures for integration into VisionOS applications, including the provision of accessibility concessions.
Additionally, there is an air typing functionality specifically developed to enable you to type using a complete virtual keyboard. Apple prioritizes visual feedback above touch input when a key is “pressed.” The virtual keyboard experience has been characterized as a “total failure” that exhibits suboptimal performance. Certain reviewers have deemed it satisfactory; however, others have voiced dissatisfaction over the arduousness of typing rapidly.
Input Devices
While VisionOS primarily relies on hand gestures and eye motions for control, it also offers compatibility with Bluetooth mice, keyboards, trackpads, and game controllers for gaming purposes.
The use of mice, keyboards, and trackpads can complement a Mac.
Conclusion
Apple is set to unveil VisionOS 2.0, its first spatial computing OS, at the Worldwide Developers Conference in 2024. The OS features a customizable Home screen, app folders, and a Notification Center, with features like break reminders, more gesture controls, multiple user support, quick tasks, shortcuts, taking calls from the headset, and unlocking with an Apple Watch or iPhone. VisionOS is built from the ground up for the Apple Vision Pro and is designed to bring digital content into your physical space. It features a full three-dimensional interface and responds dynamically to natural light and shadows.
VisionOS 2 will be compatible with the Vision Pro headset, with the rumored entry-level option also using VisionOS. It will be free, and users can join a public beta after the announcement. Controlling vision is done through eye movements, hand gestures, and voice commands. The headset can detect hand movements and support Bluetooth mice, keyboards, trackpads, and game controllers.
FAQS
Who developed VisionOS?
Apple Inc.
VisionOS is an operating system that combines elements from many iOS core frameworks, including UIKit, SwiftUI, ARKit, and RealityKit, with additional frameworks specifically designed for mixed reality. These frameworks are used for fluid rendering and real-time interaction. Apple, Inc. was the developer of it.
Will Flutter support VisionOS?
While Flutter presently lacks support for Vision OS, we can still pique our interest by making minor adjustments to the settings and exploring the newest updates from Apple. Now, let’s proceed with the implementation: Obtain and deploy Xcode 15 Beta 2, ensuring the inclusion of the Vision OS platform during the Xcode setup process.