Subj : Apple tells developers NOT to use virtual reality when talking ab To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Tue Jan 09 2024 18:15:05 Apple tells developers NOT to use virtual reality when talking about Vision Pro Date: Tue, 09 Jan 2024 18:01:19 +0000 Description: Following Apples announcement that the Vision Pro will go on sale next month, its looking to break from AR/VR labels. FULL STORY ====================================================================== The Vision Pro will go on sale next month, and weve just learned that Apple has requested that app developers for visionOS (the operating system that runs on the headset) dont allude to visionOS apps as AR or VR. We first heard about Apples newest innovation in June 2023 - where it was marketed as a spatial computer that combines digital content and the users physical surroundings. Its also equipped with some serious Apple graphics specs and visionOS, which Apple calls the worlds first spatial computing system . At first glance, the Vision Pro certainly appears to be similar to existing Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) headsets , so its interesting that Apple is at pains to ensure that it isnt mistaken for one. The de facto ban on AR and VR references (as well as Extended Reality (XR) and Mixed Reality (MR)) was spotted in the guidelines of the new Xcode (Apples suite of developer tools) update that came after the announcement that Vision Pro devices will be in stores in early February . (Image credit: Apple) Apple lays down the law This recommendation is pretty explicitly laid out on a new Apple Developer page which goes through what a developer needs to do to prepare their app for submission to the App Store. Apple insists that developers will also have to use the visionOS branding beginning with a lowercase v (similar to how they brand their flagship operating system for desktop and laptop devices, macOS ), and to use the devices full name, Apple Vision Pro, when referring to it. These arent as unexpected as Apples more notable instructions to avoid VR and AR, however. According to Apple, visionOS apps will not be considered VR, XR, or MR apps but as spatial computing apps. Its an interesting move for a number of reasons; coining a new term can be confusing to people, meaning that users will have to build familiarity and actually use the term for it to stick, but it also means that Apple can differentiate itself from the pack of AR/VR devices out there. Its also a pivot from messaging that until now has relied on existing terms like augmented reality and virtual reality. Most of Apples current marketing refers to the Vision Pro as a spatial computing platform, but at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2023 , Apples annual event for Apple platform developers, Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced the Vision Pro as an entirely new AR platform. Materially, this is mainly a marketing and branding move as Apple becomes more confident in its customers understanding of what the Vision Pro actually is. 9to5Mac reports that Apple engineers referred to visionOS as xrOS leading up to the devices official announcement. (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) Apple charts its own course The pointed effort to distinguish itself from its competitors is an understandable move from Apple considering that some other tech giants have already attempted to dominate this space. Meta, Facebook and Instagrams parent company, was one of the most noticeable examples. You might have a not-so-distant memory of a certain metaverse" . The metaverse has seen a reception most would call lukewarm, even at its peak, and Apple is making a bold attempt to have its own association in peoples minds, with Apples VP of global marketing Greg Joswiak dismissing the word metaverse as one hell never use" according to 9to5Mac. I enjoy watching Apple make bolder moves into existing markets because its often when weve seen new industry standards emerge, which is always exciting - no matter whether you want to call it AR, VR, or spatial computing. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE... Apple Vision Pro will officially go on sale in February with pre-orders starting soon Hands on: Apple Vision Pro: I just wore the future Seeing your own spatial video on Vision Pro is an immersive trip and I highly recommend it ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/software/apple-tells-developers-not-to-use -virtual-reality-when-talking-about-vision-pro --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .