Upon the release of the Apple Vision Pro headset earlier this month, Apple initially pledged that the App Store would feature over 600 optimized apps for the new hardware on launch day. However, a recent confirmation from Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of marketing, reveals that the number has now surpassed 1,000. This milestone underscores the rapid growth of apps tailored to maximize the capabilities of the Vision Pro.

Joswiak expressed gratitude to developers for their dedication and innovation in expanding the possibilities of the Vision Pro. He acknowledged their hard work and emphasized the significance of their contributions to the platform's evolution. The visionOS App Store, which currently hosts over 1.5 million compatible apps in total, has emerged as a prominent destination for spatial apps, with the recent milestone highlighting the increasing focus on apps designed explicitly for the Vision Pro hardware.

Despite these achievements, controversies persist surrounding the visionOS App Store. Notable apps such as Netflix, Spotify, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok are notably absent from the platform. While Apple has showcased immersive experiences with apps like Disney+, NBA, and HBO’s Max, the absence of widely used apps raises questions about the platform's inclusivity.

Developers have the option to exclude their iPadOS apps from Vision Pro compatibility, contributing to ongoing discussions about the App Store's accessibility. As the Vision Pro ecosystem continues to evolve, industry stakeholders anticipate further developments and potential expansions to enhance user experiences and address concerns regarding app availability and inclusivity.

Source: adapted from an article by Maya Robertson, Author for Mobile Marketing Reads.