Apple Vision Pro needs something bigger than a software update

It's going to take a lot more than that to turn spatial computing into a major platform.

- JASON CROSS

I have been using Apple Vision Pro on and off for the last nine months. When it was released in February, I described it as a device with a ton of potential but with huge challenges to overcome (fave.co/3vIDfPS). Now, with its first major operating system update available and plenty of time for developers to get on board, I'm left with a more pessimistic view.

For spatial computing to be a hit, it's going to need more than the Vision Pro can deliver. The first major update fixed some issues and added welcome features, but too many problems remain-and some simply can't be fixed in a software update. If Apple is going to make spatial computing (aka mixed reality) its next major software platform, it will need to drastically accelerate its rate of progress.

WHAT VISIONOS 2 BRINGS TO THE TABLE

The Vision Pro launched with a host of annoyances, and visionOS 2 goes a long way to addressing them. You can more easily get to the Home View with a new gesture-look at your palm and when a circle appears, tap your thumb and finger together. Flip your hand around to look at the back of it to see a little widget that displays time, volume, and battery life. Tap your fingers while this is showing to bring up Control Center.

Speaking of the Home View, you can finally freely rearrange your icons and take iPad and iPhone apps out of the dedicated folder. It also remembers the visual setup of the last Guest user, so your partner doesn't have to run through setup every time you want them to check out something cool. It's all a lot easier and more natural than fiddling around with the buttons or looking up at a little dot at the top of your view.