Apple is preparing to launch Vision Pro Developer Kits

Apple is preparing to make resources available to developers to build apps and experiences for the Apple Vision Pro headset, and yesterday the company added new VisionOS backend resources to its codebase.

Code has been introduced to update the battery pack powering the Vision Pro, along with other VisionOS assets required for trial versions of the device. Looks like Apple has three different model numbers For Vision Pro batteries, including A2781, A2988, and A2697. It’s unclear why there are three different numbers when Apple has only announced two hours of battery life for the device, but there could be multiple battery packs in development or additional battery options that will be used exclusively at Apple Stores for testing.

Code additions will come further as Apple plans to offer development kits to select developers. Apple says on its developer website that it plans to offer the Apple Vision Pro developer kit and other developer tools starting in July, with less than two weeks left in the month.

Apple said the developer kits will help developers bring their creations to life directly on Vision Pro, providing tools to quickly build, iterate and test apps. Developers can sign up to receive the kit.

Apple last offered a developer pack in 2020 ahead of the launch of Apple Silicon chips. Apple provided the Mac mini with A-series chips to developers so developers could move from Intel to Apple silicon. ‌Mac Mini machines were priced at $500, and the Apple Developer Kit would also require payment from developers.

Along with the Apple Vision Pro Developer Kit, Apple says it will offer Apple Vision Pro compatibility evaluation for existing apps and an opportunity for developers to visit the Vision Pro Developer Lab that provides demonstrations of VisionOS, iPadOS and iOS apps running on the headset. Labs are available in Cupertino, London, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo.

Apple released the first VisionOS beta in early June, and Unity released beta versions of the Vision Pro game development tools earlier this week. Apple is working with Unity on a “polyspatial” development platform for VisionOS that allows developers to create and transfer 3D experiences to the Vision Pro headset.