Apple Previews visionOS 26 With Spatial Widgets, Enhanced Personas, and More

Apple has officially previewed visionOS 26, the next major software update for Apple Vision Pro. The new version focuses on making the spatial experience more personal and collaborative, introducing significant changes to how users interact with apps, content, and each other.



A key update in visionOS 26 is how widgets work. They are no longer confined to an app window and can now be placed directly into your physical space, remaining where you leave them. These new spatial widgets are customizable in size and color and include fresh designs for Clock, Weather, Music, and Photos. Developers will also get access to WidgetKit to build their own.




The update introduces shared spatial experiences, allowing multiple Vision Pro users in the same room to watch a 3D movie or work on a project together. Digital Personas are also being enhanced for greater realism. Using new machine learning techniques, they will now feature more accurate expressions, hair, and a full side profile view.



The Photos app is gaining a new feature called Spatial Scenes. It uses generative AI to add a new layer of computational depth to your spatial photos, creating a more realistic effect that lets you feel like you can lean in and look around the image. This technology will also be available to developers through a new API.




For media consumption and gaming, visionOS 26 adds native support for 180- and 360-degree video from cameras made by Insta360, GoPro, and Canon. In a notable update for gaming, the system will now support the PlayStation VR2 Sense controller, opening the door for developers to create more complex games that take advantage of its motion tracking and haptics. Safari also gains a spatial browsing mode that can hide distractions and display embedded 3D models on websites.



On the enterprise side, new APIs will help organizations manage shared devices and protect confidential content. visionOS 26 also adds support for the Logitech Muse, a new spatial accessory designed for precise input in professional applications.

A host of other quality-of-life updates round out the release. This includes an expansion of Apple Intelligence features, a "Look to Scroll" accessibility option, a redesigned Control Center, the ability to unlock your iPhone while wearing the headset, and support for relaying cellular calls from your iPhone.

The developer beta of visionOS 26 is available starting today.

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