WWDC25 is a mere days away. Whereas the most popular information is that iOS, macOS, watchOS and different platforms will get a visible redesign borrowed from visionOS, the query left unasked is … what’s coming to visionOS?
Rumors say there will likely be new superior eye monitoring options and assist for VR hand controllers. However with a full twelve months of improvement, Apple in all probability has way more in retailer for its premium spatial pc.
Right here’s what Apple could announce on Monday for the Imaginative and prescient Professional.
visionOS 3 rumors for WWDC25
Whereas Apple’s different platforms are getting a Imaginative and prescient Professional-inspired makeover at WWDC25, what in regards to the Imaginative and prescient Professional itself — the corporate’s most formidable system in a long time? With a full 12 months of improvement underneath its belt, visionOS 3 (or maybe visionOS 26) might mark the headset’s true coming of age. From hands-free eye scrolling to long-overdue native apps and full-on VR controller assist, Apple appears poised to point out us what spatial computing actually appears like.
The Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional headset was launched almost a 12 months and a half in the past on February 2, 2024. visionOS 2, the primary main software program replace, was rolled out simply 4 months later. Which means Apple didn’t have a variety of time to develop novel new options; it felt extra like visionOS 1.5.
That makes 2025 the primary 12 months the place Apple has had a full twelve months to develop new software program options. The primary few years of a product’s life are all the time probably the most thrilling — when the whole lot is new and there’s a lot untapped potential.
Right here’s what Apple is prone to be cooking up.
Desk of Contents:
- Arms-free eye scrolling
- 12 months-based model numbers
- Assist for VR recreation controllers
- Extra native apps from Apple
- Catching up on Apple Intelligence options
- Person interface enhancements
- Integration with the iPhone
- Extra immersive video content material and environments
Arms-free eye scrolling
Picture: Apple
Maybe probably the most thrilling new performance coming to Imaginative and prescient Professional is a hands-free technique to scroll content material. Utilizing simply your eyes, you’ll be capable of scroll by means of lists, net pages and extra all through the system.
It’ll in all probability work by letting your eyes dwell on the fringe of a scrollable space, and the content material will transfer within the indicated route. It’ll in all probability be much more snug than the present hand gesture to scroll, which includes pinching two fingers and flicking your wrist up and down. Personally, I discover that tiring after some time.
12 months-based model numbers
Graphic: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Apple will probably rebrand all of its working techniques to make use of the identical model numbers going ahead. iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS and visionOS will all be numbered with the 12 months of launch.
Which means visionOS might soar straight from model 2 to 26. Whereas the transition could also be jarring, it makes extra sense than iOS 19, macOS 16, watchOS 12 and visionOS 3 all releasing on the identical time.
visionOS 3 rumors: Assist for VR recreation controllers
Picture: Apple/Sony
Gaming on the Imaginative and prescient Professional is (partly) restricted by the dearth of VR recreation controllers, just like the PSVR 2 Sense controller made by Sony.
Different Apple units have fairly wealthy assist for third-party controllers — you possibly can join Xbox, PlayStation and Swap controllers to your iPhone, iPad, Mac and even Apple TV. I usually use a PS4 controller on my Imaginative and prescient Professional, however it’s not tailor-made for VR experiences.
I’m excited to see what sort of VR video games and experiences this might unlock on the Imaginative and prescient Professional.
Extra native apps from Apple
Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
A variety of Imaginative and prescient Professional’s built-in apps are nonetheless iPad apps operating in compatibility mode.
Maps, Calendar, Reminders and Podcasts might all sing as native visionOS apps.
Apple usually claims that it’s simple making wonderful platform-specific apps whenever you use UIKit and SwiftUI, however doesn’t comply with by means of. Apps like Translate, Calculator and Journal aren’t even out there to run in any respect.
Whereas Apple can’t will extra third-party apps into existence, the corporate might at the least lead by instance. I’m hoping to see extra native visionOS apps at WWDC.
Catching up on Apple Intelligence options
Picture: Apple
The Imaginative and prescient Professional is somewhat behind on Apple Intelligence options which have shipped on different platforms.
Notification summaries, ChatGPT integration and Apple product data in Siri are lacking from visionOS.
And there’s no Visible Intelligence — a characteristic that should be a pure match for a headset that’s all the time conscious of your environment.
These would all be nice additions.
There are, nevertheless, some rumored new options coming to visionOS: Apple Intelligence-powered Shortcuts creation, an API for third-party apps and the brand new Siri that’s completely nonetheless coming (finally).
Whether or not anybody actually desires these options is a distinct query. Apple Intelligence and the Imaginative and prescient Professional: a match made in heaven of two struggling, under-baked merchandise.
Person interface enhancements
Picture: Apple
Many components of the visionOS interface are nonetheless considerably rudimentary. There are hardly any window controls. The Dwelling View doesn’t have an App Library. The entire system of notifications and Management Middle feels somewhat clunky.
There’s a variety of room for Apple to enhance the spatial computing facet of the Imaginative and prescient Professional. Let’s hope Apple addresses these shortcomings subsequent week.
Integration with the iPhone
Picture: Apple
There are additionally a variety of iPhone integrations Apple might make. Imaginative and prescient Professional might borrow some Continuity options from different units to avoid wasting a variety of complications:
- Unlocking an iPhone with Face ID is a significant trouble, contemplating your face is roofed and it fails each time. However Apple already solved this downside in 2021 by letting your Apple Watch unlock your iPhone whenever you’re sporting a masks — Apple might do the identical for the Imaginative and prescient Professional.
- iPhone mirroring can be nice for the Imaginative and prescient Professional. Your cellphone display is blurry and arduous to learn by means of the Imaginative and prescient Professional cameras — mirroring might make it seamless.
- Name forwarding is obtainable on principally each different platform. Your Mac, iPad and Apple Watch can all reply cellphone calls utilizing your iPhone as a relay. The Imaginative and prescient Professional can take FaceTime audio calls, however not cellphone calls. This characteristic might be the bottom hanging fruit.
visionOS 3 rumors: Extra immersive video content material and environments
Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
The simplest manner Apple could make Imaginative and prescient Professional house owners glad is to launch extra immersive video content material and add extra 3D environments. The seashore and spooky lake environments added in visionOS 2 have been each large hits; I’d like to see what Apple was capable of cook dinner up within the final 12 months.
I hope that manufacturing of immersive video ramps up as nicely. With the discharge of a Blackmagic digital camera that may file immersive video in late 2024, Apple — and different firms — ought to be capable of simply movie new content material (and concert events).
Different rumor roundups
After studying up on the visionOS 3 rumors, try our different roundups:
