Thrive with VisionOS App Development for Apple Vision Pro

Building VisionOs App for Apple Vision Pro – that’s enhanced customer engagement, improved productivity and efficiency, increased brand awareness, new revenue strategies, business future-proofing, and much more. Sounds promising, doesn't it?

 

The release of Apple Vision Pro seems ready to fundamentally transform the digital environment. If you're keen on visionOS app development, you're in the right place!

 

In this article, we'll take a closer look at:

 

• the incredible business opportunities provided by Apple Vision Pro apps
• real-world examples demonstrating Vision Pro's adaptability across industries
• visionOS app development tips grounded in our hands-on experience providing VR & AR app development services.

 

The Onix team combines extensive iOS experience with strong AR and Unity skills to turn Apple Vision Pro concepts into high-quality apps. We have been developing AR & VR apps for years for such devices as the Meta Quest 3, Valve Index, and Pico 4. Now, we're excited to start the VisionOs app development for Apple Vision Pro!

 

Below, our experts share valuable app development insights from working with this new device and VisionOs ecosystem. Keep reading for useful tips and analyses.

Simulation of additional statistics for a NASCAR event built by Onix

Apple Vision Pro Apps for Businesses: Opportunities VisionOS app development bring

 

"Apple is entering XR, which means that the market will be actively used and fought for by the user, and there will be more struggle in ecosystems. Vision Pro is a product with flaws and innovations, when it becomes a leader, it's only a matter of time. If your business can be improved using XR, you need to do it now."

 

- Serhii Vitukhin, Head of Unity department at Onix

 

So, why invest in Apple Vision Pro app development? Below we try to answer this and show profitable ways to do so.

 

Enhanced customer experiences and engagement

With its capability to deliver real-time information, virtual overlays, and immersive experiences, visionOS-based apps have the potential to transform how businesses engage with their customers, offering new opportunities to provide immersive and personalized experiences that drive customer satisfaction and loyalty. 

 

Let’s see how VisionOs app development may influence different sectors.

 

Retail

 

• Enhanced product visualization

Customers can visualize products in their real-world environments. This can include furniture placement, home decor visualization, or previewing how electronics and appliances would look in their homes before purchasing.

 

For example, the Onix team built VR apartments, a platform where users can not only view homes but also customize them according to their preferences.

Onix developed a VR app that allows users to virtually customize their apartments

 

With VR Apartments, users can edit and transform every aspect of their virtual space. From changing colors to experimenting with materials, users can watch their design ideas unfold in a dynamic 3D environment.

 

 

Also, customers can use their devices to try on items virtually, visualize how they look, and make informed purchase decisions without visiting a physical store.

 

J.Crew and Obsess have introduced an unparalleled virtual shopping experience with the "J.Crew Virtual Closet" app. This innovative initiative represents the first fashion shopping experience to integrate a virtual styling closet alongside the SharePlay feature on Apple's advanced spatial computer.

 

 

Travel and Tourism

 

• Interactive destination exploration

Visitors exploring a historical site or landmark could use AR apps to overlay digital information, such as historical facts, architectural details, or multimedia content, onto their surroundings, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of the destination.

 

• Enhanced museum and cultural experiences

Museums and cultural institutions can use Apple Vision Pro to enhance visitor experiences with AR-enabled exhibits and interactive displays.

 

For example, the Onix team developed a virtual tour of the museum Banská Štiavnica, a completely preserved medieval town of historical value (an official UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Slovakia.

 

 

Museum visitors could use their devices to view AR overlays that provide additional context, animations, or multimedia content related to artifacts and artworks, enriching their learning and engagement.

 

 

• Guided tours with AR enhancements

Tourists participating in a guided walking tour could view AR annotations and animations that provide additional context and insights about points of interest along the route, making the tour more engaging and informative.

 

• Virtual travel experiences

Individuals unable to travel physically can use Apple Vision Pro to experience virtual travel adventures from the comfort of their own homes.

 

Users could use VisionOS-based apps to explore famous landmarks, natural wonders, or cultural attractions virtually, immersing themselves in stunning 360-degree panoramas and interactive experiences that simulate real-world travel destinations.

 

Sports and Fitness

 

• Enhanced training and coaching

Coaches could use AR overlays to provide real-time feedback on athletes' form, technique, and performance during practice sessions, helping them identify areas for improvement and optimize their training strategies.

 

• Virtual fitness classes and workouts

People can use VisionOS apps to participate in guided workouts led by virtual trainers, who provide real-time instructions, demonstrations, and motivation, creating an immersive and interactive fitness experience.

 

• Virtual meditation environments

Users can transport themselves to virtual meditation environments using AR-enabled apps powered by Apple Vision Pro. These environments could simulate tranquil settings such as serene nature landscapes, peaceful beaches, or quiet forests, providing users with a calming and immersive space for meditation and relaxation.

 

For example, Onix’s team built a VR meditation application, InnerVR, that blends age-old meditation techniques with advanced technology. The app offers diverse virtual settings and activities that help users recharge daily, making mindfulness a habit.

 

Computer 3D graphics, sounds, music, narration, and possibly haptic feedback create unique experiences that considerably enhance meditation practice.

 

 

• Community and social engagement

Sports clubs can use AR-enabled social networking platforms to organize virtual training sessions, challenges, and events, allowing members to interact and support each other remotely, regardless of their geographical location.

 

• Personalized training plans and nutrition guidance

Users can use VisionOS apps that analyze their biometric data, workout history, and dietary habits to recommend tailored exercise routines, meal plans, and supplementation strategies to optimize their performance and recovery.

 

 

Improved productivity and efficiency

By leveraging spatial computing technology in VisionOs app development projects, businesses can:

 

• streamline workflows
• automate repetitive tasks
• facilitate real-time data visualization
• open up possibilities for safe training processes
• enhance collaboration among team members

 

Here are some use cases demonstrating the impact of VisionOS app development in different sectors:

 

• Education and Training

AR and VR technologies offer immersive simulations replicating psychological and physical experiences in a secure environment. These advancements open up possibilities for safe training processes, providing a platform for realistic real-life scenarios.

 

Industries such as aviation, automotive, construction, energy, medical, military, and professional athletics are just a few among many that utilize VR training simulators. 

 

For instance, we developed a cutting-edge VR simulation tailored for a skyscraper construction site. This simulation offers risk-free training, enhances skills, reduces errors, and streamlines costs.

VR simulation for a skyscraper built by Onix

 

Moreover, healthcare professionals can use Apple Vision Pro to enhance medical imaging and diagnostics. For example, radiologists could use AR overlays to visualize and interact with 3D models of patient scans, enabling them to better understand complex anatomical structures and identify abnormalities with greater accuracy.

 

Recently we've developed a VR medical training prototype for medical staff. We created low-stress, safe, and interactive digital environments using immersive virtual reality technology to provide immersive training opportunities. 

 

For this project, the Onix team created mobile VR support, 3D stereo 360 video, and a tree scenario construction structure, creating complex training with corresponding causative-consecutive results.

 

 

Read also: Implementing VR & AR in Medicine and Medical Training

 

• Retail

Retail associates equipped with AR devices can provide personalized product recommendations, access real-time inventory information, and assist customers in visualizing how furniture or decor items would look in their space.

 

This immersive shopping experience increases customer engagement and improves conversion rates and customer satisfaction.

 

One more use case is a personalized shopping assistant. As shoppers walk through store aisles, they're greeted with augmented overlays on products, delivering rich, context-specific information at their fingertips.

 

The Onix team created an AR scanner for supermarket goods. Upon scanning a barcode, the system swiftly identifies the product through its unique code.

 

The application then requests the API, fetching comprehensive details about the product, including its description, ingredients, price comparison, and a visual representation.

 

 

• Communication

Users could use AR-enabled collaboration platforms to meet and work in virtual spaces, interacting with digital avatars and objects in their surroundings, enabling seamless communication and collaboration regardless of geographical location.

 

Onix developed Unreal Space, a virtual office/coworking solution that takes the remote working experience to a new level.

Virtual office/coworking solution built by Onix

 

Our client wanted to use VR to fill in the gaps in communication and cooperation between team members working remotely, make communication more personal, and facilitate conferencing experiences.

 

Onix met the requirements by developing a simple but effective solution enabling dozens of people to communicate and collaborate in a realistic environment.

 

In Unreal Space, users can:

 

• create a team call and book a suitable virtual meeting space
• create their avatars
• discuss issues using voice chat
• share their PC screens with everyone in the virtual room
• show presentations
• enjoy synced video/audio playback

 

Proper gesture-controlled interactions facilitate a realistic experience. Onix’s VR developers:

 

• created a system for avatar personalization that used inverse kinematics to ensure the required avatar position at three key points – head and hands
• created realistic detail-rich graphics, highly detailed 3-D models, and 3-D environments for a variety of VR meeting spaces
• ensured a smooth live stream from a user’s desktop for dozens of attendees

 

 

One more use case is AR-enhanced presentations and meetings. Presenters could use AR-enabled presentation tools to overlay visual aids, charts, and graphs in the physical environment, providing dynamic and interactive presentations that engage and inform the audience.

 

 

• Manufacturing

Employees can access step-by-step visual instructions overlaid onto equipment, reducing errors and minimizing downtime. Additionally, AR-enabled quality control inspections can be conducted more efficiently, with defects highlighted in real-time for immediate rectification.

 

• Logistics and warehousing

Warehouse staff equipped with AR-enabled smart glasses can receive real-time inventory updates, locate items more efficiently using augmented reality navigation, and receive hands-free picking instructions. This leads to faster order processing, reduced errors, and improved warehouse productivity.

 

Enhanced brand differentiation

By adopting Apple Vision Pro technology, businesses can position themselves as leaders in their industry and attract tech-savvy consumers drawn to immersive and interactive experiences:

 

• Automotive

Car manufacturers can provide virtual showrooms where customers can explore different vehicle models and customizations in AR. By offering interactive experiences such as virtual test drives and customization options, brands can differentiate themselves as leaders in innovation and customer engagement.

 

• Real estate

Real estate agencies can offer virtual property tours for potential buyers and renters. By allowing users to explore properties in AR, visualize renovations and decor options, and even experience virtual staging, brands can differentiate themselves as innovative and customer-focused, attracting clients and closing deals more effectively.

 

• Advertising

Customers scan logos, products, or ads with Apple devices, triggering immersive AR experiences that display the brand's story or unique points. This helps businesses stand out by offering engaging experiences beyond traditional ads.

 

Moreover, retailers can use Apple Vision Pro to deliver targeted advertising and promotions to customers based on their location and shopping behavior. As customers browse certain store sections, Apple Vision Pro can trigger relevant ads or offers on their devices, driving impulse purchases and increasing sales.

 

For example, the Onix team has created an AR mobile app to enhance our promotional materials. The Onix AR mobile app reveals vivid details of our printed booklets, allowing us to tell the company’s exciting story in a corresponding format. The users simply point their mobile device at a page - and it goes live.

 

 

• Retail

Apple Vision Pro lets businesses display products in AR, allowing customers to see how they'd look in their real-world space before buying. This is especially useful for furniture, fashion, or cosmetics industries, where appearance and fit matter most.

 

New revenue strategies

The Apple Vision Pro opens up new possibilities for businesses to innovate and create unique experiences that drive revenue growth:

 

• Guided AR tours of historical sites

The museum can develop guided tours enhanced with AR features, allowing visitors to explore the town while receiving informative audio-visual content triggered by their location. Apple Vision can help accurately identify landmarks and provide relevant information.

 

For instance, if the Banská Štiavnica museum, where we've created a historical VR tour, adopts Apple Vision Pro, it can amplify its marketing efforts. Prospective visitors can virtually preview the museum's exhibits and attractions via interactive ads or AR-enhanced materials.

 

 

• Live performances and concerts

Artists and performers can use Apple Vision Pro to enhance live performances and concerts with AR effects and visuals.

 

For example, concertgoers can use AR-enabled apps to view virtual stage elements, animations, and special effects overlaid in the live performance, creating a dynamic and immersive concert experience.

 

Thus, AmazeVR brings concerts to life with live-action footage of beloved artists. Users can watch them perform in stunning 3D VR environments, immersing themselves in the excitement of their performances.

 

 

One more example is Virtual Reality ballet:

 

 

• 3D movie experiences

Movie studios and streaming platforms can use Apple Vision Pro to offer 3D movie-watching experiences.

 

Video Credits: Apple

 

For example, viewers could access additional content, such as behind-the-scenes footage, director's commentary, or interactive trivia games overlaid onto the screen, enhancing their engagement and enjoyment of the film.

 

 

• Live events and sports

Event organizers and sports leagues can use Apple Vision Pro to enhance live events and sports broadcasts with immersive effects.

 

For example, spectators attending a live sports event could use Apple Vision Pro to view player stats, replays, and interactive graphics overlaid onto the field or court, providing a more engaging and informative viewing experience.

 

For example, the NBA app on Apple Vision Pro allows basketball fans to stream up to five broadcasts live or on-demand simultaneously, with the flexibility to rearrange games within their space effortlessly.

Image Credits: Apple

 

How to Build an App on VisionOS: Onix Recommendations

 

"VisionOS apps help businesses see their data in a whole new way! They make it easier to understand information and make smart decisions. Plus, they help businesses grow and make plans for the future."

 

- Denis Senichkin, Head of iOS department at Onix

 

We've had plenty of hands-on time with headsets like the Meta Quest 2, HTC Vive Pro 2, Valve Index, and PICO 4. In this section, our team is excited to share our firsthand experience with this device and provide valuable insights on making the most of the Apple Vision Pro app development.

 

Develop a strategic vision

Our experts suggest initiating development with a Lean Inception approach to ensure smooth integration and maximize potential benefits.

 Development with a Lean Inception approach

 

By starting the process with Lean Inception, organizations can:

 

• effectively align stakeholders' understanding and expectations
• define clear objectives
• prioritize use cases that align with business goals
• analyze user needs
• explore potential applications
• create a detailed development plan
• set a solid foundation for a streamlined and effective implementation of VisionOS solutions

 

At Onix, the Lean Inception process begins with assembling a diverse team of stakeholders, including product owners, developers, and designers. The workshop typically lasts for one to two weeks and follows a structured agenda designed to achieve specific objectives:

 

• Setting goals

The team starts by defining the project's vision, objectives, and success criteria. This involves discussing the problem statement, desired outcomes, and critical metrics for measuring success.

 

• User persona identification

Next, the team identifies and creates user personas to represent the target audience. This step helps ensure that the project's features and functionalities are tailored to meet the needs and preferences of end-users.

 

• Feature prioritization

The team conducts exercises to prioritize features based on their importance and feasibility.

 

• Storyboarding

Storyboarding sessions are conducted to visualize the user journey and determine how users interact with the product.

 

• Creating MVP roadmap

The team develops a roadmap for building the minimal viable product based on the prioritized features and user stories. This roadmap outlines the tasks and milestones needed to deliver the MVP within the specified timeline.

 

• Iterative refinement

The team engages in iterative discussions and refinements throughout the Lean Inception process to ensure alignment and clarity. Feedback from stakeholders is incorporated, and adjustments are made to the project plan and scope.

 

 

Start with an MVP development

We recommend starting with an MVP. This approach lets you quickly validate your app concept and gather user feedback. By focusing on essential features and functionality, you can expedite the development process and reduce time to market.

 

Additionally, building an MVP enables you to test the viability of your app idea while minimizing development costs and risks.

 

Once you have validated your concept and received user feedback, you can iterate and enhance your app based on real-world insights, ultimately creating a more robust and successful product.

 

 

Design for immersion and interaction

Leverage VisionOS capabilities to create intuitive and engaging user experiences. Consider spatial layout, 3D visualization, and gesture-based interactions to enhance immersion and usability. Strive to create a seamless transition between the digital and physical worlds, providing users with a truly immersive experience.

 

 

Select the appropriate technology stack

We will help you choose the tools, frameworks, and programming languages that best suit the requirements of your app. The right technology stack will help make the implementation of VisionOS app features successful and will optimize the app's performance and user experience.

 

When selecting the stack for Apple Vision development, we consider such factors as:

 

• compatibility with VisionOS 
• support for spatial computing features 
• ease of development 
• scalability 

 

Apple visionOS apps are built upon the same frameworks and technologies familiar to iOS developers. However, our technical experts place particular emphasis on the technologies that Apple recommends for AR/VR development:

 

• Swift

As the native programming language for iOS, Swift is utilized to create app logic, modules, features, and more.

 

• SwiftUI

An Apple framework optimized for user interfaces, SwiftUI is particularly well-suited for Vision Pro apps. It facilitates the creation of immersive experiences by seamlessly overlaying 3D models onto the real world while accurately tracking user movements.

 

• Xcode

As Apple's integrated development environment for macOS, Xcode is indispensable for creating apps across Apple platforms, including Vision Pro. Its comprehensive set of tools, notably the simulator, streamlines app development, and testing within a virtual environment.

 

• visionOS SDK

This comprises a suite of tools and libraries that streamline app development. Although its beta version is forthcoming, it promises to significantly enhance the development process.

 

• RealityKit

Exclusively tailored for Vision Pro, RealityKit is a powerful 3D rendering engine that empowers developers to craft lifelike, interactive 3D content. Offering specialized features such as spatial computing and augmented reality support, RealityKit is essential for building compelling Vision Pro apps.

 

• ARKit

Apple's augmented reality framework, ARKit, is instrumental in developing apps that seamlessly integrate digital content into the real world. It provides developers with the tools to create diverse and immersive experiences, from games and educational apps to sophisticated training simulators.

 

• Unity

Widely recognized for its prowess in creating visually stunning games, Unity also excels in developing Vision Pro games. With robust support for spatial computing and augmented reality, Unity offers immense potential for building captivating experiences on the Vision Pro platform.

 

• PolySpatial XR

It combines the immersive qualities of XR technologies with the geometric precision of polygonal graphics. This integration allows for the creation of highly detailed and visually compelling virtual worlds, objects, and simulations.

 

• XR Plug-in Framework

This framework streamlines the building of XR applications by offering a modular and flexible architecture. It allows developers to seamlessly create XR experiences on various devices and platforms, such as VR headsets, AR glasses, smartphones, and tablets.

 

• MaterialX

This open standard is instrumental in constructing surface and geometry shaders, crucial for crafting immersive, real-time experiences.

 

• USDZ

As Apple's standard format for generating, importing, and exchanging various 3D assets in AR projects, USDZ facilitates seamless integration and collaboration within the AR ecosystem.

 

Team up with expert developers

When choosing experts to build your app for the Apple Vision Pro, it's crucial to ensure they possess the necessary skills and expertise to deliver a high-quality and innovative experience.

 

Our experts prepared a list of key factors to consider and recommendations to remember:

 

• Experience with spatial computing

Prioritize developers with experience with spatial computing technologies, such as augmented and mixed reality. These developers will be adept at leveraging the unique capabilities of the Apple Vision Pro, including overlaying digital content onto the real world and creating immersive experiences.

 

• Understand Vision Pro's capabilities and constraints

Choose developers familiar with the VisionOS SDK and device hardware limitations to tailor your app's features and functionality effectively.

 

With over 5 years of experience in AR/VR application development, we've been exploring SDKs, including Apple Vision, even before its release. Armed with this extensive knowledge, we're well-equipped to handle your project.

 

However, it's important to note that existing PolySpatial XR solutions for Apple Vision have limitations in areas such as lighting, materials/shaders, colliders, and interactions (e.g., gaze direction, tap).

 

We've observed that not all Apple Vision developers know these constraints. Therefore, it's crucial to carefully select a team for your project at this stage.

 

• Prioritize performance

Look for developers who are, despite Vision Pro's robust capabilities, mindful of technical constraints and aim for optimization wherever feasible to ensure smooth and efficient app performance.

 

• Guarantee compatibility

Ensure that developers provide seamless compatibility with current iPadOS and iOS applications, presenting them as scalable windows within visionOS.

 

• Uphold data privacy standards

Ensure that developers prioritize user privacy by clearly communicating how data will be used, offering a comprehensive privacy statement, and implementing robust data security measures leveraging Apple's security technologies.

 

Focus on user experience. Select developers who have a strong focus on user experience design. They should be able to design intuitive interactions based on eye and hand gestures, supporting standard system gestures and external game controllers.

 

 

Conclusion

Developing the VisionOS app presents many opportunities for businesses across various industries. With its revolutionary spatial computing capabilities, Vision Pro opens doors to innovative business use cases, from immersive customer experiences to streamlined workflows.

 

By leveraging Vision Pro effectively, businesses can stay ahead of the curve and capitalize on the growing demand for immersive technologies.

 

 

FAQ

 

What is VisionOS app development?

VisionOS is a spatial computing platform that integrates AR and VR technologies, allowing users to interact with digital content in immersive and intuitive ways.

 

VisionOS apps leverage features such as hand gestures, eye tracking, spatial audio, and 3D visualization to create immersive experiences that seamlessly blend digital content with the physical world.

 

VisionOS app development involves understanding the platform's capabilities, designing user interfaces and interactions for immersive experiences, optimizing performance and stability, and testing and iterating to ensure a seamless user experience. These apps can be used for various purposes, including gaming, education, training, entertainment, virtual collaboration, and more.

 

How long does it take to build apps for visionOS?

The time it takes to build apps for VisionOS can vary depending on various factors, including the complexity of the app, the features and functionality required, the level of customization, the expertise of the development team, and the development approach used (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, etc.).

 

Generally, simple apps with basic features may take a few weeks to develop, while more complex apps with advanced features and intricate designs can take several months or even longer. Factors such as testing, debugging, and app submission to the App Store also contribute to the development timeline.

 

How much does it cost to make a visionOS app?

The cost of making a VisionOS app can vary widely depending on complexity, features, and development time. It can range from a few thousand dollars to several hundred thousand dollars or more.

 

How can businesses get started with Apple Vision Pro development?

Businesses interested in developing apps for Apple Vision Pro can begin by researching the platform's capabilities, defining their app concept and objectives, and collaborating with experienced developers specializing in spatial computing technologies. It's also essential to stay updated on emerging trends and best practices in Vision Pro development.