Apple announces visionOS 2 with 3D photo transformations and an ultrawide Mac display

Apple has announced visionOS 2, the second version of the Vision Pro’s operating system, aiming to bring a lot of features that users have been asking for since launch.

Apple says that in the new update, users will be able to convert any image in Photos app to a spatial one, using machine learning. Also, visionOS 2 will have train support, so the Vision Pro’s travel mode will no longer be limited to just airplanes.

The company also updated the Mac virtual display feature, offering what it says is the equivalent of two 4K displays with a new virtual ultrawide display option. With the ultrawide option turned on, the display spreads out in front of users like a curved ultrawide monitor would — something I’ve been desperate for since picking up the Vision Pro. It’s not dual virtual monitor; I think it might be better.

The company also says it’s adding SharePlay to the visionOS Photos app, which means that you can share the app with another Vision Pro owner using Spatial Personas, a feature Apple introduced in April that puts the ghostly bust of your Vision Pro-having friends right in the room with you. It’s a surprisingly impressive feature that also lets you watch things or edit documents together in actual 3D space.

The company says Red Bull is making a new immersive sports series, while Apple is making its first scripted immersive feature. Also, the company says that BlackMagic Design has created a new workflow for its cameras: DaVinci Resolve, and Apple Compressor.

Apple also said that Canon is releasing a new spatial lens for the EOS R7, designed specifically for creating content for the Vision Pro. And the company says it will be releasing its first scripted immersive video for the platform.

Finally, the company is rolling out the Vision Pro abroad. It’s going to start taking preorders for China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore on June 13th at 6PM PT, and it’ll be available in those countries on June 28th. Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the UK will get pre-orders later, on June 28th at 5AM PT, with the headset officially available on July 12th.

As flashy as it is, the Vision Pro is very much still a first-generation product and it’s good to see the company rolling out some key updates. Apple has pitched it as a productivity device and a tool for enterprise use. (The company loves to talk about how doctors are using it.) With a new curved virtual display, it’s starting to feel much closer to that.