Alongside iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, Apple also announced the next update for the Vision Pro (which I loved and hated back when it was released). However, while we’ve all been talking about new iOS 18 features, and all the Apple Intelligence things that are now starting to show up, visionOS 2 seems to have been largely ignored. But there’s one really interesting change in visionOS 2 that I can’t stop raving about, and it’s definitely an underrated visionOS 2 feature.
It Starts With…
One thing. I know everyone sang that line with me. The truth is, I only came across this new feature while I was dusting off the Vision Pro to check out the new Mac Mirroring improvements.
And credit where it’s due, Apple has really made Mac Mirroring very useful on the Vision Pro with support for Wide and Ultrawide displays. I love that, and I have been using it endlessly since the feature rolled out in Developer Betas on the Vision Pro and the Mac, much to the dismay of some people. Not naming names, but the screenshot is right there for you to see.
visionOS 2’s New Hand Gestures
One of the things in the original Vision Pro software that really dented the experience of being, say, on the Moon while working on your Mac, was the fact that if you wanted to go to the home screen, you would have to press the Digital Crown. Similarly, if you wanted to open the Control Center, you had to look way up above and then pinch your fingers when the control center dot showed up. Want to adjust the volume? Scroll the Digital Crown, then look at the volume icon, then continue scrolling to adjust the volume — it’s a long process that can be very irritating.
All in all, not a very Apple way of doing things.
However, with visionOS 2, Apple has added better hand gestures for doing these things.
So, you can now look at your hand (palm facing up) and the Home button just pops up right there. Just pinch your fingers and you’re in the home screen.
Flip your hand over, and the Home button smoothly turns over and turns into the Control Center panel. You can already view your battery level here, alongside the time, WiFi, and volume levels of your Vision Pro. Pinch your fingers together and the Control Center opens up.
And, if you just want to adjust the volume, just pinch and hold when the Control Center panel shows up, then start dragging your hand left or right to change the volume seamlessly.
I Know What You’re Thinking
It’s a small thing, right? Nothing too major, especially in the grand scheme of software updates and new features. However, it’s Quality of Life updates like this that make first-gen devices like the Vision Pro, incrementally better at being what they are.
What’s more, this little change of being able to just look at your hands and going to the home screen or control center as compared to pressing buttons on your headset adds up very quickly into a lot of saved time. And more importantly, it keeps you engaged in the experience of being within a virtual world where everything responds to where your eyes are looking, is controlled by just your hands in thin air.
visionOS 2 is a Good Update
There’s a lot more in visionOS 2 that’s worth talking about. You can turn your normal photos into Spatial photos, and even SharePlay photos and spatial photos on FaceTime calls. The home screen is customisable, the new Bora Bora environment looks absolutely stunning, and if you’re watching a video in Safari while you’re virtually in Bora Bora, the video looks extremely cinematic and life-size.
That’s not all, the new Guest user is a nice addition as well, and it has made it very easy for me to let other people use and experience the Vision Pro. Undoubtedly, Apple hopes this will make more people want the headset. Plus, there’s just so much more. Heck, even Mindfulness is updated and can actually follow along with your breathing.
So yeah, I’m truly excited about visionOS 2, and more importantly, whatever Apple is planning with its next Vision product. Because it does seem that Apple is working on ironing out the kinks and making things a lot better.
Sagnik Das Gupta
