The pace of Apple VisonPro app development is accelerating as developers prepare apps for the new platform. Just last week, according to third-party analysis of the App Store, just over 150 apps were designed specifically for Vision Pro to date, and Apple today announced that more than 600 new apps and games are in the works for Vison Pro ahead of its debut. The company says the apps are compatible with more than 1 million apps in iOS and iPadOS.
The news comes after Apple laid out plans to comply with new EU regulations, the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which forces the company to open up to other app stores and payment methods, thereby leveling the playing field. But Apple’s compliance program favors Apple over the spirit of the law. As a result, critics including Spotify, Epic Games, and Microsoft respectively called it a "farce" full of "junk charges" and a "step in the wrong direction." Because of this, there are growing concerns that Apple's anti-developer stance on DMA could lead to less interest from developers building apps for its latest computing platform, AR/VR headsets. Big companies like Netflix and YouTube have said they don't plan to support the device when it launches.
While Vision Pro's high price limits its scope of use, and Apple's current lack of goodwill toward developers, Apple's announcement today that Vision Pro will have a sizable catalog of apps hopes to allay those concerns.
The company says it has designed more than 600 apps and games to take advantage of Vision Pro's capabilities and its 3D user interface, which users can navigate using their eyes, hands and voice.
Several streaming apps have already announced support for Vision Pro, including Disney+, ESPN, MLB, PGATour, Max, Discovery+, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Peacock, PlutoTV, Tubi, Fubo, Crunchyroll, RedBullTV, IMAX, TikTok, and MUBI.
Apple notes that the PGATourVision app offers a golf game with real-time shot tracking through a model of a real golf course, while the NBA app will allow up to five games to be streamed live or on-demand simultaneously. Red Bull TV will include a 3D map of the race. Football fans can also watch MLS Season Pass via Apple's own Apple TV app. The app will offer Apple original content, more than 200 3D movies and Apple immersive videos.
Cable companies are also getting in on the act, with CharterSpectrum, ComcastXfinity, CoxContour, SlingTV and VerizonFios all launching apps. Other sports broadcasters have also joined in, including CBS, NBC, NBCSports, FoxSports and UFC, in addition to ESPN, Paramount+, Peacock and others.
In its announcement, Apple highlighted Vision Pro's productivity apps, such as brainstorming app MindNote, data and project management apps OmniFocus and OmniPlan, Microsoft 365 apps, calendar app Fantastical, Box, Numerics, JigSpace, Webex, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Notion, Todoit and Navi for real-time translation of conversations.
To address concerns about the Vision Pro's lack of games, especially compared to more affordable headsets like Meta's Quest VR device, Apple noted that the device will offer games such as BA2K24 Arcade Edition, Sonic Dream Team, and TMN Splintered Fate. In addition, it will offer more than 250 games through Apple Arcade with no in-app purchases or ads, including Synth Riders, LEGO Builder's Journey, Super Fruit Ninja, Game Room, WHATTHEGOLF?, Cut the Rope 3, Jetpack Joyride 2, Bloons TD6+, Stitch., Patterned, Illustrated and Wylde Flowers.
Other apps will also be released on VisionPro's AppStore, including a relaxing 3D perspective app by Loóna, space puzzles in Blackbox, and skateboarding app SkatrickPro. Users can also access MacAppStore games and Steam applications such as "P's Lies" and "Baldur's Gate 3" through MacVirtualDisplay.
Apple also highlighted other new and existing apps, including Hold the World, which takes users into London's Natural History Museum; The Archive, which lets Star Trek fans and others explore immersive locations and media; air traffic control experience ForeFlight; 3D weather app CARROTWeather; 3D learning app solAR; solar system exploration apps SkyGuide and NightSky; Medical apps InsightHeart, CellWalk and CompleteHeartX; mindfulness and wellness apps Lungy: Spaces, Odio and Endel; and music apps djay, NowPlaying, STAGE+, Spool, AnimoogGalaxy, AmazeVRConcerts, tappr.tv and AppleMusic.
Shopping apps include J.CrewVirtualCloset and Mytheresa: Lowe's StyleStudio, Wayfair's Decorify and home-buying app Zillow, which will offer virtual home tours.
It seems that many developers are waiting until the last minute to release their apps to the App Store, because according to ongoing statistics from app intelligence company Appfigures, only more than 350 apps are available as of today.