Apple Vision OS
Apple Vision OS: a revolutionary new advancement in visual device technology.
Announced by Apple in June 2023 and shipped in early 2024 with the Apple Vision Pro headset, visionOS quickly caught the attention of the public and of specialists alike. This operating system does not simply display windows: it places them in the space around the user and changes the way we interact with an interface.
A system built on perception
visionOS combines sophisticated sensors – cameras, depth sensors, eye and hand tracking – with algorithms that interpret the surroundings in real time. The system knows where the walls, the furniture and the person’s hands are, and can anchor digital content to them in a stable way. The visual experience becomes enriched and personalised, in everyday life as in professional use.
The gaze as a pointer
The eyes point, a pinch of the fingers confirms. This pair replaces the mouse and the touchscreen, and changes the design rules: targets must be large and spaced out enough to be aimed at with the eyes, and the interface must never trigger an action when the gaze merely passes over it.
Features that redefine the interface
Identification and privacy
Among the most noted features is Optic ID, which recognises the user’s iris to unlock the device or approve a payment, even in low light. Gaze data stays on the device: an app knows what was selected, not what was looked at.
Augmented reality and spatial computing
The system overlays virtual information on the real environment: windows, three-dimensional volumes, immersive spaces. iPad apps run as they are, but the best ones are designed for space: depth, light, shadows and translucent materials become layout tools.
What it changes for design
As a pioneer, Apple sets out a new interface grammar here. visionOS improves the perception and understanding of the surroundings, and forces designers to build experiences that respect visual comfort, fatigue and personal space. With iris identification and augmented reality, it is in a position to redefine our interaction with technology – provided that interfaces remain legible, predictable and accessible, including for people who cannot use their eyes or their hands.