Unlike other mixed-reality headsets, it’s important to note that the Vision Pro isn’t just for entertainment and gaming. In fact, its standout feature is productivity. Apple CEO Tim Cook mentioned using Vision Pro for productive tasks, and with the first devices arriving soon, productivity apps are also coming. Apple states that there are already 600 apps designed for the platform, with millions more that can work with it.
Why productivity matters
This is great news for Apple because a successful tech product needs excellent apps to support its success.
Consider the iPhone or the Macintosh—what helped them transition from being just consumer gadgets to crucial tools for businesses? It was the introduction of productivity apps on both platforms. For instance, VisiCalc wasn’t just the first spreadsheet program made exclusively for the Apple II; it also played a significant role in shaping the computing experiences we now consider standard.
Once again, we’re witnessing a similar trend with Vision Pro. Microsoft has confirmed its intention to bring Office apps to visionOS, and Ukraine’s Readdle has introduced a robust set of PDF applications designed for use in Apple’s spatial computing environment. This highlights how businesses recognize the chance to develop innovative productivity solutions for Apple’s new world of spatial computing.
“Apple Vision Pro is sparking the creativity of our global developer community, and we’re impressed by the variety of spatial experiences they’ve crafted for this exciting new platform,” stated Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of worldwide developer relations.
Microsoft gets inside your head
Microsoft is aligning itself with Apple’s vision for visionOS. The company has confirmed that several of its apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams, will be available on the platform from the start. Versions of OneNote and Outlook are also in the works.
These applications appear to be similar to the existing iPad versions of the software but come with some tailored adjustments for the platform. This includes a ribbon toolbar for accessing various tools and settings. Teams, in particular, will support the virtual persona feature introduced by Apple in Vision Pro. Additionally, you can use a bit of generative AI in the visionOS space, as Microsoft Copilot is now available for these apps on the App Store.
Ukraine’s Readdle brings PDF and mail
Readdle is introducing spatial versions of two of its successful productivity apps, PDF Expert and Spark Mail. If you deal with PDFs frequently and haven’t tried PDF Expert, it’s highly recommended. It’s an excellent PDF editor for Apple devices and now features the company’s beta AI Chat application.
Spark Mail, which has received an award from the Apple App Store Editor, is another app worth exploring. It makes email more user-friendly with a pleasing interface and various email management tools. Spark Mail also incorporates AI Chat.
A dream come true for project managers
I’m curious to see how project management apps like OmniFocus and OmniPlan perform on Apple’s new platform. The infinite canvas in visionOS seems like an ideal space to organize complex data found in Gantt charts.
The ability to view an entire project at once will be a significant improvement for managers. Omni Group CEO Ken Case highlighted the impact, stating, “With tools like OmniPlan, you can plan out scenarios and see how your changes ripple through the rest of the project in real time. Large Gantt charts have been in my life for as long as I can remember. Modern tools have revolutionized planning huge projects, but until now, they’ve been limited by your screen. The infinite canvas provided by Apple Vision Pro is a dream come true for project planners, project managers, and industrial engineers.”
This development could also have implications in various operational settings. For instance, day traders might use Vision Pro devices to replace or complement the triple-display setups they commonly use to monitor the data crucial for their investment decisions.
Apps without frontiers
Apple highlighted several other productive apps for its new platform, including enterprise-grade cloud storage provider Box and brainstorming app MindNode. Additionally, apps like Webex, Zoom, Fantastical, Numerics, JigSpace, Navi, Slack, Todoist, and Notion are either compatible or supported.
Aaron Levie, Box’s co-founder and CEO, emphasized the groundbreaking technology, saying, “This breakthrough technology introduces immersive experiences that fundamentally redefine the way we work by delivering visually stunning interactions without physical limitations. The possibilities are endless, from developing the next breakthrough product to reimagining customer experiences.”
While this may be true, the significant advantage of Apple’s M-powered wearable computer lies in its integration with the Mac.
