Before Apple’s Vision Pro headset was even a twinkle in the public’s eye, rumors swirled that Apple’s augmented reality (AR) efforts were part of a grander scheme to bring this mysterious device to life. Now, it appears that the speculation wasn’t baseless, as recent discussions with Apple’s top brass reveal that at least one of these AR technologies was indeed developed with the Vision Pro headset in mind.
In a revealing interview with Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, and Steve Sinclair, senior director of product marketing for Apple Vision Pro, the duo shed light on the intertwining development paths of Vision Pro and ARKit, Apple’s developer framework for building AR experiences. Both Prescott and Sinclair referenced ARKit as a "foundational" tool for building Vision Pro content, hinting at the integral role of ARKit in the headset’s development and its potential as a driving force behind ARKit’s creation.
Apple’s ARKit: A Foundational Tool for Vision Pro
Apple’s Vision Pro headset has been making waves in the tech industry, but its inception was shrouded in mystery. Recent insights from Apple executives suggest that the company’s augmented reality (AR) projects, particularly the ARKit developer framework, played a significant role in the creation of this game-changing device.
ARKit: The Secret Behind Vision Pro’s Success
In a recent interview, Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, and Steve Sinclair, senior director of product marketing for Apple Vision Pro, revealed that the ARKit was foundational to the development of Vision Pro.
The ARKit, Apple’s framework for creating AR experiences, was frequently referenced by both executives during the discussion. “ARKit on iPhone and on iPadOS allowed us the opportunity to learn from developers and from ourselves on how best to implement these things on a platform like Vision Pro,” Sinclair stated.
A Synchronized Development
When questioned whether ARKit’s development was specifically designed for Vision Pro, or conceived separately, Sinclair suggested that both developments were somewhat intertwined. "We’ll just say in conjunction," was his cryptic response. This implies that the Vision Pro headset was at least a consideration, if not the main driving force, during the creation of the ARKit.
ARKit’s Initial Rollout and Vision Pro
Introduced as part of iOS 11 in 2017, ARKit was touted as a tool that would enable developers to “build detailed and compelling virtual content on top of real-world scenes for interactive gaming, immersive shopping experiences, industrial design and more.” This description, in retrospect, seems to fit Vision Pro as much as it does the iPhone or iPad.
Vision Pro: A Decade in the Making
Based on Apple’s initial application for a headset patent in 2007, it’s clear that the Vision Pro has been in development for nearly two decades. Over these years, Apple has introduced numerous technologies, like LiDAR, that were initially marketed for other devices but ultimately incorporated into the Vision Pro.
The Future of ARKit and Apple’s AR Initiatives
The revelations about ARKit’s role in the development of Vision Pro suggest that Apple has been playing the long game, leveraging seemingly unrelated technologies for bigger projects. It’s exciting to consider what other innocuous techs might find their way into future Apple devices. Only time will reveal the full extent of Apple’s AR ambitions.
My Takeaway
This news paints an intriguing picture of Apple’s strategic approach to product development. The company’s ability to derive value from existing tools and technologies, such as ARKit, to innovate and create groundbreaking devices like the Vision Pro headset, is truly remarkable. It sets a precedent for other tech giants to think long-term and consider the potential applications of their current projects. The industry will definitely be watching Apple’s next move closely.
