Prime Highlights:
- Apple rolls out spatial widgets, eye-scrolling, controller input, and shared experiences in visionOS 26.
- The update makes Vision Pro more similar to the feature set provided by rival mixed-reality headsets.
Key Facts:
- Users can now position and configure floating widgets such as Clock, Weather, and Music in their physical environment.
- “Look to Scroll” makes eye-scrolling available across system and third-party applications.
- PlayStation VR2 Sense and Xbox controllers can now be used with Vision Pro for gaming.
Key Background:
Apple revealed visionOS 26, its newest big update for the Vision Pro headset, at WWDC 2025. Apple jumped over to version number 26 to match iOS 26, but otherwise, this update shines in that it adds long-overdue features that already exist on rival headsets like the Meta Quest and PlayStation VR. Refinement and catching up are the focus with this release, while Apple’s refined design and user experience remain intact.
One of the most apparent additions is spatial widgets. These are little, customizable widgets—such as Clock, Weather, and Music—that individuals can pin to physical locations. They remember their location and size from session to session, making the experience more persistent and individual. The interface expands upon visionOS’s focus on real-space interaction.
Another important addition is “Look to Scroll,” a system feature that applies eye tracking to scroll content. Users can scroll naturally—without controllers or hand gestures—by simply glancing towards the top or bottom of a page. Apple is also opening up this feature to third-party app developers, making it more useful beyond Apple’s own platform.
On the gaming side, Apple took a bold step in supporting PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers, regular PlayStation and Xbox game controllers, and new “spatial controllers.” This creates more room for more immersive gaming on Vision Pro. Apple has also redesigned its Game Center interface, combining it into a unified Games app that contains achievements, multiplayer aspects, and Arcade content.
For creators and consumers of media, extended immersive video playback has been added. 180-degree, 360-degree, and ultra-wide content is now supported in VisionOS 26 due to new partnerships with camera manufacturers such as Sony, GoPro, and Canon. Adobe will also introduce a native Vision Pro video editing application.
Other additions include realistic avatars, enhanced multi-user spatial experiences, and closer iPhone integration, like accepting calls and unlocking your phone while using the headset.
visionOS 26 can now be used in developer beta form and will become available to every user later this year. With this release, Apple is answering user concerns and closing the gap between its premium headset and the rich-feature experiences already being offered in the wider mixed-reality space.
Read More – ChatGPT Gets Smarter: Now Connects to Google Drive, Dropbox, and More
