Apple is promising a jam-packed app store for the Vision Pro. But will the first users of the mixed reality headset be able to install the most popular applications, the ones that really matter? It is not won.
The launch of a brand new platform is not easy, especially when it is difficult to plan without knowing what the device really has in its belly. This is why Apple is not taking any risks: to give its headset the maximum chance for its launch, the manufacturer has announced a plethora of content and applications adapted to visionOS, the device's operating system.
Zero native version for the most popular apps
But once Vision Pro buyers exhaust these options — the first few days are likely to be particularly busy! —, what will be left? App Store apps, of course! Apple announces that one million of them will be available to cover as many needs and desires as possible. An astonishing volume for a barely born platform, which combines the handful of native apps specially developed for visionOS, and apps for iPad which can be used in the headset via a compatibility mode.
By default, iPadOS apps are visionOS compatible, but developers can disable this compatibility. This is the case for Netflix, which does not intend to offer a native application, nor even its iPad app. Subscribers will have to be content to use the web version of Netflix on Safari… A basic experience on an extremely premium product.
Read Netflix ignores the Vision Pro
Unfortunately, Netflix shouldn't be the only app to skip the Vision Pro. According to a count of MacStories, out of the 46 most popular apps in the App Store, none (!) is available in a native version for visionOS. Only one third is available in compatibility mode. Among the big names absent, we find YouTube and YouTube Music, Spotify, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, WhatsApp, most Google apps (Gmail, Chrome, etc.), etc.
Be careful though, some publishers could confirm their support for the headset between now and the launch on February 2. This will be the case for TikTok, announced as compatible in Apple's press release, but which has not yet delivered anything to the App Store. In any case, the cautious attitude of the largest publishers is hardly reassuring. But if success is achieved – which seems a little complicated given the price of the headset – some will surely want to offer their applications on this new platform. We can at least hope so for its future…
Update – Bloomberg has obtained confirmation from YouTube (Google) and Spotify that they will not offer native apps for the Vision Pro, nor will their iPad apps be compatible with the headset. As with Netflix, you will need to use Safari to enjoy this content.
? To not miss any news from 01net, follow us on Google News and WhatsApp.
By: Opera
Source :
MacStories