Today at WWDC, Apple announced Vision OS 2 for the Vision Pro headset which brings an update to Photos, updates to gesture controls, and a push for more immersive video content. Surprisingly, it also included a look at a new dual-lens Canon optic for APS-C cameras.
Apple is pushing immersive video harder. In addition to the ability to capture immersive video using an iPhone, which has been an option since the Vision Pro launched, Apple is also promoting additional ways to capture content. During the presentation, Apple promoted a new lens for Canon cameras — a 7.8mm f/4 STM — that can capture video that, when combined with Vimeo, allows immersive video to be viewed on Apple Vision Pro. The lens appears attached to an EOS R7, indicating that it is likely designed to be used with APS-C cameras, although this is unconfirmed. This ecosystem of hardware and software will be fully rolled out by the end of the year.
The company is also promoting new examples of immersive video content, including a video produced in concert with Red Bull, that will — hopefully — inspire creators to make more content for Vision Pro.
Beyond that, Vision OS 2 is bringing additional updates. For photos, Apple is adding a way to turn existing 2D photos into dynamic Spatial Photos. Using machine learning, the Vision Pro will analyze a photo and add left and right eye view to what was a static, 2D image. That creates a spatial photo with depth that can be viewed in Vision Pro.
Apple is also making it easier to use Vision pro to look through photo libraries together with Share Play inside of the photos App. The company says that it will be akin to going through a photo book with a person right beside you, even if they’re thousands of miles away.
Vision OS 2 also makes slight enhancements to the gesture controls for navigating Vision Pro and Virtual Display with a Mac computer is getting updated later this year to offer both wide and ultra-wide support, the latter of which is equivalent to two 4K monitors side by side.
Train support is coming to Travel Mode as well, although it’s not clear how different that is from using it on an airplane.
These updates are coming as part of Vision OS 2 which will launch later this year. The Vision Pro is also being made available in more countries starting this month in Japan and China.
Developing…
Image credits: Apple