Apple Vision Pro will launch with more than 600 apps and games optimized for the new headphones

Image credits: apple

Apple Vison Pro apps are gathering pace ahead of the spatial computing device's launch on Friday, as developers prepare their apps for the new platform. While just last week, just over 150 apps were designed specifically for the Vision Pro so far, according to a third-party analysis of the App Store, Apple. Announce Today, more than 600 new apps and games are being prepared for the Vison Pro before its debut. The company says these join more than a million apps already compatible across iOS and iPadOS.

This news comes on the heels of Apple's proposed compliance plan for a new EU regulation, the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which forces Apple to level the playing field by opening up to app stores and alternative payments. But Apple's compliance plan favors Apple, not the spirit of the law. As a result, critics including Spotify, Epic Games, and Microsoft have called it a “farce” filled with “spammy fees.”A step in the wrong directionrespectively. Because of this, there was Growing anxiety That Apple Anti-developer stance Regarding DMA can It leads to developers becoming less interested in building applications For its latest computing platform, the AR/VR headset. Already, major companies like Netflix and YouTube have said they don't plan to support the device at launch.

Today, Apple hopes to dispel those concerns by announcing that the Vision Pro will have a large catalog of apps, despite the device's high price, which limits its reach, and the current lack of goodwill that Apple has shown to developers.

The company says more than 600 apps and games have been designed to take advantage of Vision Pro's capabilities and the 3D user interface that is navigated using your eyes, hands and voice.

Several streaming apps have already announced support, including Disney+, ESPN, MLB, PGA Tour, Max, Discovery+, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Peacock, Pluto TV, Tubi, Fubo, Crunchyroll, Red Bull TV, IMAX, TikTok, and MUBI.

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The PGA Tour Vision app provides golf with real-time shot tracking across models of real golf courses, while the NBA app will allow up to five live or on-demand broadcasts to be streamed simultaneously, Apple notes. Red Bull TV will include 3D maps of the races. Soccer fans will also be able to stream MLS Season Pass via Apple's Apple TV app. This app will provide access to Apple assets, over 200 3D movies and Apple Immersive videos.

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Cable companies are also joining with apps from Charter Spectrum, Comcast Xfinity, Cox Contour, Sling TV and Verizon Fios. Other sports broadcasters are also joining, including CBS, NBC, NBC Sports, Fox Sports and UFC, as well as ESPN, Paramount+, Peacock and others.

In its announcement, Apple highlighted the productivity apps for Vision Pro, such as the brainstorming app MindNote, the data and project management apps OmniFocus and OmniPlan, the Microsoft 365 apps, and the calendar app Fantastical, Box, Numerics, JigSpace, Webex, Zoom, Microsoft Team, Slack, Notion, Todoit, and Navi that translate conversations in real time.

Image credits: Zoom/Apple

Hoping to allay concerns about the Vision Pro's lack of gaming appeal, especially compared to more affordable headsets like the Meta's Quest VR hardwareApple indicated that the device will contain titles such as BA 2K24 Arcade Edition, Sonic Dream Team, TMNT Splintered Fate, and others. Additionally, it will offer a catalog of more than 250 games, without in-app purchases or ads via Apple Arcade, including Synth Riders, LEGO Builder's Journey, Super Fruit Ninja, Game Room, What Golf?, Cut the Rope 3, Jetpack Joyride 2, Bloons TD 6+, Stitch, Plaid, Illustrated and Wylde Flowers.

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Other apps are also launching on the Vision Pro App Store, including one that displays relaxing 3D images of Loóna, Blackbox's spatial puzzles, and skateboarding app Skatrick Pro. Users can also access Mac App Store games and apps such as Steam via Mac Virtual Display, Lies of P, and Baldur's Gate 3.

Apple highlighted other titles, new and old, including Hold the World, which takes users to the Natural History Museum in London; The Archive, which allows Star Trek fans and others to explore immersive locations and media; ForeFlight air traffic control experience; 3D weather app CARROT Weather; solAR 3D learning applications; Solar System Explorers Sky Guide and Night Sky; medical applications Insight Heart, CellWalk, and Complete HeartX; Mindfulness and wellness apps Lungy: Spaces, Odio, and Endel; and music apps djay, NowPlaying, STAGE+, Spool, Animoog Galaxy, AmazeVR Concerts, tappr.tv, and Apple Music.

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Shopping apps include J.Crew Virtual locker and Mytheresa: A luxury experience, which includes live consultations, as well as Lowe's Style Studio, Wayfair Decorify and the home buying app Zillow, which will include virtual home tours.

Many developers seem to be waiting until the last minute to ship their apps to the App Store, says app intelligence firm Appfigures. processing The tally sees just over 350 apps available as of today.