Image: Apple While Apple imagines users wearing its Vision Pro headset to do a variety of things, like watch movies, capture videos, and multitask, it still hasn’t mentioned one pretty

An image showing a person wearing the Apple Vision Pro headset
Image: Apple

While Apple imagines users wearing its Vision Pro headset to do a variety of things, like watch movies, capture videos, and multitask, it still hasn’t mentioned one pretty major application: fitness. But now, a report from The Information suggests that Apple had been planning workout apps for the mixed reality headset, but they just weren’t ready in time for its June reveal.

Former Apple employees tell The Information that staff members explored partnering with Nike to create workouts for the Vision Pro and also looked into creating face cushions designed for “sweaty, high-intensity workouts.” Apple employees even reportedly weighed the idea of letting Vision Pro wearers interact with content while on a stationary bike.

Although Apple let some of its Worldwide Developers Conference attendees try out a meditation app with the Vision Pro earlier this month, The Information reports that Apple had some other wellness apps in the works. That includes a yoga app that utilizes the device’s cameras to measure a user’s breathing “by observing a user’s chest and torso,” as well as a tai chi app.

It wouldn’t be all too surprising if Apple is still developing these rumored applications, as fitness experiences — like Supernatural are one of the core use cases for mixed reality headsets. But former employees tell The Information that Apple might’ve been hesitant to reveal the tech because the Vision Pro comes with a clunky external battery pack and its “front-facing glass screen could be too fragile to survive a bump from furniture or a wall.” Other limitations, like less accurate hand tracking, could be why Apple didn’t reveal any mixed reality-specific games for the headset either, The Information reports.

Those aren’t the only applications that Apple could have in the pipeline, however. The Information also suggests that Apple was reportedly looking to create a “co-presence” feature, which uses body tracking to create a virtual version of the person a user is talking with through the headset. Apple showed off a similar feature during WWDC that creates a digital “persona” of the user when making a call on FaceTime, but it doesn’t incorporate their full body. While Google is also working on a telepresence feature, called Project Starline, which uses AI to create a realistic, digital version of someone you’re talking to remotely, it requires far more hardware than just a mixed-reality headset.

With the Vision Pro set to launch in early 2024, Apple still has several months to fill out the $3,499 headset with more features and apps. The company is already arming developers with the tools they need to create apps for the system and will automatically transfer over iOS and iPadOS apps to the device, which almost guarantees a full range of content at launch.


You may also be interested in this

Apple says proposed UK la…

Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge Apple has become the latest operator of an encrypted messaging service to raise concerns about the UK’s Online Safety Bill, BBC News reports.

Vietnam asks Foxconn, oth…

A combination of expanding electricity demand and a fall in capacity means Vietnam is facing a power shortage, and wants iPhone maker Foxconn to limit its use.Vietnam at nightTechnology companies

Apple’s high-yield Saving…

Apple’s ongoing push into financial products and services, including its new high-yield Savings account with Goldman Sachs, could spell trouble for regional banks trying to retain deposits amid the banking

United Airlines Adds Live…

United this week announced that it has updated its iPhone app to add support for Live Activities and the Dynamic Island, allowing United passengers quicker access to flight tracking information.

Gizmodo reviews Apple Vis…

Apple Vision Pro Apple Vision Pro is a spatial computer powered by visionOS, which is built on the foundation of decades of engineering innovation in macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. visionOS

Apple might have to make …

The European Union is pressing ahead with new regulation that would require Apple to make iPhone batteries “easily” replaceable by users. We first reported on this proposed legislation back in

iPhone’s Screen Dis…

iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 include a new Screen Distance feature that can alert you when you hold an iPhone or iPad too close to your eyes for an extended

9to5Mac Daily: June 13, 2…

Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our
X

A whimsical homage to the days in black and white, celebrating the magic of Mac OS. Dress up your blog with retro, chunky-grade pixellated graphics to evoke some serious computer nostalgia. Supports a custom menu, custom header image, custom background, two footer widget areas, and a full-width page template. I updated Stuart Brown's 2011 masterpiece to meet the needs of the times, made it responsive , got dark mode, custom search widget and more.You can download it from tigaman.com, where you can also find more useful code snippets and plugins to get even more out of wordpress.