In the latest Power On newsletter from Bloomberg, tech writer Mark Gurman discusses the issues surrounding the Apple Vision Pro headset and its lack of third-party app support. Despite big names like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify opting not to release dedicated Vision Pro apps and instead recommending the use of Safari on the headset, some developers have chosen to send their iPad apps to the Vision Pro Store. Gurman points out that there are multiple reasons for this, including higher development costs for native Vision Pro apps. However, it is interesting to question why these developers didn’t simply send their iPad apps directly to the Vision Pro Store. Additionally, some developers have also raised concerns about Apple’s App Store fees, even though Apple recently allowed external payment options, the fees can still be as high as 27%.
Further issues arise from game developers, as many have designed games for VR headsets that require hand controllers not supported by the Vision Pro. If they were to switch to using eye-tracking along with hand gestures, which are part of the Spatial Computing approach of the Vision Pro, game developers would require extensive testing to ensure a satisfactory user experience.
Lastly, it is worth noting that even Apple itself has neglected to develop certain basic apps specifically for the Vision Pro, instead choosing to port over existing iPad apps like Podcasts, News, Calendar, and Reminders. This further emphasizes the lack of success Apple has had with its post-App Store systems, including the Apple Watch, Apple TV, and iMessage stores, leading developers to opt for a wait-and-see approach rather than rushing to develop apps for the Vision Pro platform.
TLDR: The Apple Vision Pro headset faces challenges with third-party app support, with big names like Netflix and Spotify opting out of creating dedicated apps. Developers have chosen to send their iPad apps to the Vision Pro Store instead, possibly due to the higher costs of developing native Vision Pro apps. Game developers also face obstacles with incompatible hand controllers, necessitating testing for eye-tracking and hand gesture control. Surprisingly, even Apple itself has neglected to develop specific apps for the Vision Pro, porting over existing iPad apps instead. This highlights the struggles Apple has faced with post-App Store systems, leading to a cautious approach from developers.
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