Summary
- Apple has introduced visionOS 26 with a primary focus on all things spatial.
- From spatial widgets and shared experiences to enhanced Personas and spatial browsing, there are a bunch of new features.
- visionOS 26 is now available to test out with the Apple Developer Program with stable release set for fall 2025.
Apple just took the stage at WWDC 2025 and unveiled the next leap for its Vision Pro with visionOS 26. This is where it all started and how Apple got the idea to extend the new "Liquid Glass" design language across all its operating systems. Meanwhile, the visionOS 26 update brings spatial features to make the Vision Pro experience more immersive, intuitive, and collaborative.
Starting off with spatial widgets, these are customisable and let users define the frame width, depth and colour. Besides, these widgets reappear exactly where the user leaves them. This leads to a more personalized and natural workflow. Imagine having your calendar floating next to your monitor or a news feed right on your coffee table, always accessible.
The update also brings improvements to spatial scenes, using generative AI to add "multiple perspectives" and realism to photos. From the looks of it, this might change the way users interact with their memories, making digital photos feel more tangible. While spatial photos and videos already existed on the Vision Pro, the new AI algorithm seemingly "makes spatial photos even more realistic."
Personas, Apple's rendition of digital avatars, receive a major overhaul in visionOS 26 as well. These Personas are now more expressive which can potentially create a more authentic and natural sense of presence during virtual interactions.
Speaking of shared experiences, visionOS 26 finally introduces shared spatial experiences for multiple Vision Pro users in the same physical room. "They can come together to watch the latest blockbuster movie in 3D, play a spatial game, or collaborate with coworkers," states Apple.
The latest visionOS iteration also brings along spatial browsing with Safari to make the regular seem more interesting. Further, visionOS 26 also brings native playback of 180-degree, 360-degree, and wide field-of-view content from popular cameras like Insta360, GoPro, and Canon to the Vision Pro. So, these features are something developers can surely take advantage of.
Gamers are not left out either as the visionOS 26 now brings support for PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers. So, that's another integration for developers to make use of.
Bonus visionOS 26 features include Look to Scroll to navigate websites and apps with just the eyes, unlock your iPhone while wearing the Vision Pro, and even handle iPhone calls directly from the headset. Additionally, the Vision Pro now supports folders right in the Home View, "letting users rearrange and group apps together."
Meanwhile, on the AI front, Apple Intelligence sees updates to Image Playground. Also, the AI model now understands a wider range of languages including French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.
All these visionOS 26 features are available to test out starting today, thanks to the Apple Developer Program. Meanwhile, the stable release is slated for fall of 2025.
Source
Apple
