So far, more than 150 apps have been developed exclusively for Apple Vision Pro

Image credits: Brian Heater

It’s not just Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube without apps for Apple Vision Pro at launch. New App Store data shows new mixed-reality headsets, and Apple’s foray into virtual reality has so far seen little response from app developers. As of this weekend, the AR/VR device’s App Store has a total of more than 150 apps that have been publicly updated for Vision Pro, according to market intelligence. Application figures – one piece 1.8 million apps in the App Store.

It’s not the number of programs is available to be clear.

Unless the developer opts out, Vision Pro is theoretically compatible with iOS and iPad apps. But it shows how many companies are rushing to build for the new platform, specifically — and that’s a smaller number given the size of Apple’s larger developer base.

There are several reasons why developers don’t customize their apps or create new ones just for Apple’s latest platform, including the limited Vision Pro headsets for testing and the understanding that the market opportunity for their apps may be small for a while, thanks to the device High price point of $3,499 and up, depending on storage size. Developers may also struggle to adapt their small, touchscreen-optimized applications to a different computing environment.

Still, the negative sentiment that Apple has created among the developer community after Epic Games’ antitrust lawsuit against the tech giant was unsuccessful cannot be overlooked. Although Apple largely won the case, the court required Apple to change its App Store rules to point developers to other means of purchasing subscriptions and other in-app purchases through its website, as it is not a monopoly. Apple has been quite deliberate in its decision for this “exception”, noting a number of other caveats and guidelines about who can apply to its App Store rules and how to implement the link within its apps. use it.

The company also said it would cut commissions from 30% to 27%, given that credit card processing fees can be higher than the 3% discount, an option that would be a non-starter for many software developers.

This developer-hostile relationship could have a chilling effect on Apple’s broader developer community — a community that has previously been quick to embrace Apple’s new platforms despite declining revenues. Apple’s iMessage App Store, for example, never quite took off intelligence problems Because of its placement in the iMessage app drawer. Meanwhile, the watchOS App Store has seen several high-profile departures since its launch, including the removal of top apps from Meta, Peace, Uber, and Twitter.

With Vision Pro, Apple rivals such as YouTube, Netflix and Spotify have chosen not to build for Apple’s latest platform, as the Cupertino tech giant increasingly competes in the same markets with its video and music streaming services. Meta, which makes its own VR headset, surprisingly chose not to create specific native apps for the Vision Pro, an Appfigures listing reveals. (Its programs are also not yet compatible, This was reported by MacStories).

That’s not to say that Vision Pro users won’t have anything to do with their new headset at launch. Vision Pro will allow users to download and stream content from Disney+, ESPN, MLB, PGA Tour, Max, Discovery+, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Peacock, Pluto TV, Tubi, Fubo, Crunchyroll, Red Bull TV, Apple said. IMAX, TikTok and MUBI. Apple’s own apps are also available, you know like others Temu, Uber/Uber Eats, Tinder, Notion, CNN, Washington Post, Reddit, Discord and more.

More, Appfigures reveals Several other big brands and popular apps are built specifically for Vision Pro, including Box, Carrot Weather, Webex, Zoom, Fantastical, and others. But many weren’t household names.

A few more have opted out, meaning they don’t have an “eligible” flag, Appfigures tells us. This includes Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, TikTok, Spotify, YouTube, Google Drive, Gmail, Google Meet, Chrome, Google Home, Roku, Pandora, DoorDash, Amazon, Candy Crush, Bumble, Nike, Nest and more. .

Apple has told developers that its iPhone and iPad apps are available will be automatically made available to Vision Pro users unless the developer edits their app’s presence on App Store Connect. This is possible because apps for Vision Pro run natively and “use the same frameworks, resources, and runtime environment as iOS and iPadOS,” Apple’s support document explains.

It is likely that many software developers will only allow their existing software to be ported until Vision Pro has a large enough user base to warrant additional attention.