Apple launches visionOS 26 update with new spatial features
Apple has previewed visionOS 26, bringing a range of new spatial experiences, enhanced personalisation, and developer tools for Apple Vision Pro users.
The update introduces spatial widgets that integrate into a user's space, enabling customisation of frame width, colour, and depth. Widgets such as Clock, Weather, Music, and Photos now offer more interactive and immersive experiences, and can be decorated throughout the user's environment. Developers can create custom widgets for visionOS 26 using WidgetKit.
Shared spatial experiences are now enhanced, allowing multiple Apple Vision Pro users in the same room to interact with content such as movies, games, or collaborative projects. Remote participants can also join through FaceTime, expanding connection options. Dassault Systèmes is leveraging these capabilities with its 3DLive app, enabling the visualisation of 3D designs by both local and remote team members.
Personas, the digital representation of users, have been updated to feel more natural through improved volumetric rendering and machine learning. The enhancements include a full side profile view, as well as more life-like hair, lashes, and complexion details. Users have access to a more customisable setup process, including the ability to preview spatial adjustments and choose from more than 1,000 glasses variations.
Spatial scenes for photos are now powered by generative AI and computational depth, allowing users to experience multiple perspectives within their images.
The new Spatial Scene API lets developers incorporate this capability into their own apps. Zillow is adopting this feature in its Zillow Immersive app, allowing users to explore property images with added depth and dimension.
Content and control
visionOS 26 adds support for native playback of 180-degree, 360-degree, and wide field-of-view content from Insta360, GoPro, and Canon, enabling users to enjoy a broader range of visual media. Web developers can now embed 3D models into web pages, making interactive browsing possible directly in Safari. Support for PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers is also included, providing motion tracking, finger touch detection, and vibration for a wider range of gaming experiences on Apple Vision Pro.
For enterprise users, visionOS 26 introduces APIs such as the Protected Content API, which restricts viewing and sharing of confidential materials. Team device sharing and settings synchronisation with iPhones running iOS 26 are now supported, supporting flexible device management. The update adds support for Logitech Muse, a spatial accessory designed to enable more precise input and collaboration in supported apps.
Additional updates
visionOS 26 brings new Apple Intelligence features, expanded language support to French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish, and includes specific English language support in Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, and the UK.
The new Look to Scroll feature lets users navigate apps and websites with their eyes, and the updated Control Centre offers consolidated access to settings such as Guest User and Travel Mode. Calls can now be relayed from iPhones to Apple Vision Pro, and Home View supports folders for improved app organisation. "Apple Vision Pro has defined what's possible in this new era of spatial computing, and with visionOS 26, we're excited to push the boundaries even further," said Mike Rockwell, Apple's Vice President of the Vision Products Group. "With brand-new ways for Vision Pro owners to connect, explore, work together, and enjoy content, we're incredibly excited for users to enjoy features like apps and widgets that they can arrange in their spaces, spatial scenes that offer a brand-new viewing experience for their photos, and dramatically enhanced Personas on Vision Pro."
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