Just over 150 apps have been designed specifically for Apple's Vision Pro so far

Image credits: Brian Heater

It's not just Netflix; SpotifyAnd YouTube, which had no apps for Apple's Vision Pro at launch. New App Store data points to a new mixed reality headset, and Apple's foray into virtual reality has so far only seen a lukewarm response from app developers. As of this weekend, the app store for the AR/VR device has more than 150 apps alone that have been updated explicitly for the Vision Pro, according to data from the market intelligence firm Application forms – a piece of App Store, which includes 1.8 million applications.

This is not the number of applications available To be clear.

Vision Pro is theoretically compatible with iOS and iPad apps, unless the developer opts out. But it indicates the number of companies that rushed to build for the new platform, especially – Given the size of Apple's broader developer base, it's a lower number.

There are several reasons why developers don't customize their apps or create new apps just for Apple's latest platform, including the limited supply of Vision Pro headsets for testing and understanding that the market opportunity for their apps may be small for some time. Thanks to the device A hefty price point of $3,499 And above, depending on the storage size. Developers may also have difficulties translating their applets optimized for touch screens to a different type of computing environment.

However, one cannot ignore the negative sentiment that Apple has sparked among the developer community following the fallout from the antitrust lawsuit filed by Epic Games against the tech giant. Although Apple largely won the case, with the court ruling that it was not a monopoly, it required Apple to amend its App Store rules to allow developers to point to other means of purchasing subscriptions and other in-app purchases through their websites. Apple has maliciously complied with this ruling, dealing with a number of warnings and other guidelines about who can apply for this “exception” to its App Store rules and how linking is implemented within its apps, right down to the language developers can use.

The company also said it would cut commissions to just 27% from 30%, making the option untenable for many app makers, since credit card processing fees can be higher than the 3% discount.

This hostile stance toward developers could have a negative impact on Apple's broader developer community, a community that has previously been quick to adopt Apple's new platforms, despite diminishing returns. Apple's iMessage App Store never fully took off, for example, after it struggled Discoverability challenges Because it's placed in your iMessage app drawer. Meanwhile, the watchOS App Store saw several high-profile departures after its launch, including the removal of top apps from the Meta, slack, Uber, And Twitter.

With the Vision Pro, Apple's rivals like YouTube, Netflix and Spotify have chosen not to build Apple's newest platform, as the Cupertino tech giant increasingly competes in the same markets as them with its own video and music streaming services. It's also unsurprising that Meta, which makes its own VR headset, has chosen not to create native apps for Vision Pro specifically, the Appfigures listing reveals. (Its apps are also not compatible yet, MacStories Reports).

That's not to say there's nothing Vision Pro users can do with the new headphones at launch. Apple said the Vision Pro will allow users to download and stream content from Disney+, ESPN, MLB, PGA Tour, Max, Discovery+, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Peacock, Pluto TV, Tubi, Fubo, Crunchyroll, Red Bull TV, IMAX, and TikTok. And mobi. Apple's own apps are also available, As you may know others Such as Temu, Uber/Uber Eats, Tinder, Notion, CNN, Washington Post, Reddit, Discord, and more.

In addition, Appfigures reveal A few other big brands and popular apps that are built for Vision Pro specifically include Box, Carrot Weather, Webex, Zoom, Fantastical, and others. But many of them were not household names.

A number of others have opted out, meaning they don't have a “compatible” tag, Appfigures tells us. This includes apps like Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, TikTok, Spotify, YouTube, Google Drive, Gmail, Google Meet, Chrome, Google Home, Roku, Pandora, DoorDash, Amazon, Candy Crush, Bumble, Nike, Nest, and more. .

Apple told developers about their current apps on iPhone and iPad It will be made available to Vision Pro users automatically Unless the developer has edited the availability of their apps in App Store Connect. This is possible because Vision Pro apps run natively and “use the same frameworks, resources, and operating environment as they do on iOS and iPadOS,” Apple's support document explains.

It's likely that many app developers only allow their existing apps to be ported until Vision Pro has a large enough user base to justify the extra attention.