Here are the most useful Apple Vision Pro apps at launch

Apple Vision Pro here – along with a solid collection of third-party launchers. Although there are some major flaws (Netflix, YouTube and Spotify), the headset already supports more than one million compatible App Store apps, Apple’s first-party offerings, and over 600 apps designed specifically for the “location computing” device. Here are some notable third-party Vision Pro apps you can install on day one.

Microsoft 365

Microsoft didn’t give up on entering the Vision Pro era. The company’s seven Office applications available to install on launch day. These include Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote and Loop.

The Windows maker has added several tools specific to mixed reality headsets. For example, Word has a focus mode to avoid distractions, PowerPoint includes an immersive environment for practicing presentations in front of a virtual audience, and Excel Vision Pro lets you quickly transfer documents to other programs using the pinch-drag gesture.

Microsoft Teams uses Vision Pro’s Persona feature, which gives you a digital avatar. Persona matches your digital representation’s facial expressions to your own; it can give your colleagues uncanny valley vibes, but it can also make your virtual self look more alive. In addition, Microsoft’s VisionOS programs include Copilot, tit is the company’s generative AI assistant can draft text, create summaries and create PowerPoint presentations.

Disney+

Given Disney’s long-term partnership with Apple (Steve Jobs sat on the company’s board and Bob Iger He sat at Apple until 2019), perhaps it’s no surprise that Disney went all out with the Vision Pro app.

The app lets you stream Disney+ content in one of four 3D virtual environments: the Disney+ Theater (inspired by Hollywood’s El Capitan), the Scare Floor from Monsters Inc., Tony Stark’s Avengers Tower, and Luke Skywalker’s land speeder on Tatooine. Although we have seen countless virtual environments Meta Quest (and other VR) streaming apps, the Vision Pro’s high resolution should make them feel more immersive.

Disney’s VisionOS software also includes a selection of supported 3D movies. The library consists of “dozens of famous films”, including Avatar: The Waterway, Avengers: Endgame, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Elementary and Encanto. (Disney promises the list will expand over time.) You can also buy or rent more 3D movies from the Apple TV apps’ Store tab.

Zoom

Zoom is also early Vision Pro supporter. Like Microsoft Teams, Zoom’s VisionOS app uses Apple’s Personas to appear as a 3D virtual avatar that matches your facial expressions and hand movements on calls. The company says you can expand the app’s location settings to the “perfect size” to feel like you’re in the same room as your colleagues.

A future update to Zoom will add support for 3D object sharing, allowing designers to share and collaborate on 3D models in their virtual spaces. The app will also include Zoom Team Chat and the ability to schedule other meeting participants in the space around you. Zoom says the latter will help you “feel more connected to the people in the meeting.”

MLB and NBA

America’s second and third most popular sports leagues are represented in Vision Pro. The NBA app lets you stream up to five live streams in multi-view, along with viewing other game scores and stats. Meanwhile, the MLB app offers fully immersive environments, including a ballpark with home plate and stats for each pitch. A future update (scheduled for around opening day) will add access to “additional MLB.TV content” for subscribers.

The world’s premier baseball league shared its enthusiasm for the program. “If there is any opportunity for a baseball fan to enjoy our sport on any platform, then we must have a presence where we can deliver a unique storytelling experience,” MLB Deputy Commissioner Noah Garden wrote.

Max

Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max is available on Vision Pro and offers access to the streaming service’s movies, series, news and sports. The company says select titles will be available in 4K and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos.

Like other VisionOS apps, Max will offer at least one virtual environment where you can stream content: the Iron Throne room. Game of Thrones and Dragon house. “The intricate decorations of the Targaryen era will make fans feel like they’re watching Max in Westeros at the height of their power,” HBO/Max Content President Casey Bloys wrote.

Lowe’s Style Studio

Lowe’s will use Vision Pro to make it easier to envision ways to spend money in its stores. Lowe’s Style Studio app allows headset owners to “enter an immersive, interactive 3D kitchen scene” that lets them “experiment in ways never before possible.” The idea is to inspire you by entering a virtual space “designed by Love’s professional designers” with hundreds of customizable real-world materials.

Game room

Resolution Games, a Stockholm-based studio, has launched Game Room, which lets you play tabletop classics in mixed reality or fully virtual environments. Games include chess, solitaire, hearts, yacht and (as a Battleship) Naval Battle.

It supports one to four players in online play against enemies using various Apple devices (not just Vision Pro owners). It also supports single player against AI opponents.

Other approved apps and games

Here are some more highlights from Vision Pro’s collection of over 600 launchers:

• AmazeVR Concerts – Front row virtual concerts

• Animoog Galaxy – Create music in 3D space

• Apple arcade games (Over 250 games including NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition, Sonic Dream Team and TMNT Splintered Fate)

• Black box – Spatial puzzles

• Box – Cloud file management and collaboration, including 3D objects

• CellWalk – Walk around a bacterial cell

• Full HeartX – Anatomy, diagnosis and treatment

• Decathlon – Shop in 3D

• djay – Turntables and mixing

• Exploration of Mars – Explore Mars with NASA rovers

• Fantastic – Calendar and tasks

• Healium – Relax in nature scenes

• IMAX – View 2D and 3D content

• Insight Heart – Learn about the human heart

• J.Crew Virtual Closet – Immersive shopping

• JigSpace – Interactive presentations in 3D

• The Lego Builder’s Journey – Build with 3D LEGO bricks

• Loona – Relaxing 3D dioramas

• Lungy: Gaps – Breathing exercises and meditation

• MindNode – Mind maps in spatial reality

• Mytheresa: A Luxury Experience – Shopping with live consultations

• Navi – Real-time translation with live captions

• NowPlaying – A look behind the music

• Numbers – Live business widgets

• Audio – Personal sound spaces

• OmniFocus and OmniPlan – Project management visualizations

• PGA Tour Vision – An immersive golf experience

• Red Bull TV – 3D maps of races / immersive videos

• Sky Guide and Night Sky – Your personal planetarium

• Scatrix Pro – Physics based skateboarding

• the sun – Explore the solar system

• The reel – Make music videos

• STAGE+ – Classical music performances

• Super Fruit Ninja – Slice and dice

• Synth Riders – Immersive game

• tappr.tv – Discover new music and choreography

• Space-X – Retro arcade shooter

• Wayfair Decorate – Redesign your space

• Webex – Immersive meetings

• Zillow Immerse – Virtual home tours, interactive floor plans

For more information on the Apple Vision Pro, you can read Engadget Editor-in-chief Devindra Hardawar’s first impressions and a A second experience with Deputy Editor Cherlynn Low and Editor-in-Chief Dana Wollman.