iOS 18.4 and visionOS 2.4 in second beta: New apps for iPhone and Vision Pro

The Vision Pro, Apple's first mixed reality headset, combines great technology with a high price – and unfortunately not quite ideal usability. To give new customers (and existing users who rarely use the device) better access, Apple is adding new apps in iOS 18.4 and visionOS 2.4. These can be tried out for the first time in the second developer beta of the updates, which were made available on Monday.

Quest vibes on the iPhone

With iOS 18.4, the final version of which is expected by April, a dedicated Vision Pro application is coming to the iPhone for the first time. Its design is reminiscent of the Apple Watch app –, although Apple's computer watch was not initially regarded by Apple as a stand-alone device, unlike Vision Pro. The new Vision Pro app has exactly the same name and offers a mixture of content and device management. It is designed to make users want to use the headset and make it easier to use.

Apple envisages three main functions: Firstly, the discovery of new content such as 3D films and 3D TV series plus exclusive Spatial content, secondly, direct management of the Vision Pro including downloads and thirdly, user support including tips on how to use the Vision Pro (and data such as the serial number). The download feature is quite clever: you can bookmark interesting apps and content directly on the iPhone and as soon as the Vision Pro is set up and connected to the WLAN, the download starts. However, Apple also admits with the app that the iPhone is often the faster device to use than the Vision Pro itself. The role model here is, of all things, Meta with the official Quest app (now called “Meta Horizon”), which has long been used to manage the headset, but has even more functions.

Spatial content better presented

In visionOS 2.4 Beta 2, the so-called Spatial Gallery can be found for the first time. This is designed to present content optimized for the Vision Pro in an optimal environment. “Discover the magic of Spatial Content on Vision Pro”, Apple advertises. The application contains specially created photos, videos, and panoramas that artists, photographers, and filmmakers have created for Vision Pro.

This includes nature and architectural photography, the “Red Bull Air Force” and behind-the-scenes footage from Apple TV+ series such as “Severance”. If you haven't had much to do with the impressive 3D capabilities of the Vision Pro, this is a good place to start.

Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt

Mit Ihrer Zustimmung wird hier ein externer Preisvergleich (heise Preisvergleich) geladen.

Preisvergleiche immer laden Preisvergleich jetzt laden

Ich bin damit einverstanden, dass mir externe Inhalte angezeigt werden. Damit können personenbezogene Daten an Drittplattformen (heise Preisvergleich) übermittelt werden. Mehr dazu in unserer Datenschutzerklärung.

(bsc)