Developers are prohibited from accessing Apple Vision Pro cameras and other sensors
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Apple does not allow third parties apps use Apple's Vision Pro cameras, and developers are complaining about it.
At the launch of Apple's Vision Pro, there wasn't an iPhone-like boom in new dedicated headset apps, but by February 2024, there were over 1,000 native apps in the VisionOS App Store. There's still a lot going on, and while it's still early days, some developers are complaining that they're being restricted by Apple's privacy rules.
Or at least two of them. But if The Information's post doesn't include information about disgruntled developers, who were willing to give official information, their remarks were supported by unofficial details from former Apple employees.
So, both developers are complaining about the lack of access to the camera in Apple Vision Pro. Developer Kalani Helekunihi says he hasn't even started working on the headset app due to limitations.
In particular, he creates applications for older people and people with disabilities. He hoped to be able to use the camera to log users in by looking at a barcode.
Khelekunihi also wants to create an app that uses Apple Vision Pro to describe the environment out loud for people with visual impairments. Camera access is allowed for Apple's own apps, and Khelekunihi was able to use the cameras on the iPhone, but not the Apple Vision Pro.
“Many of the things we're used to doing with a mobile phone are simply [not] possible on XR devices due to nebulous privacy concerns,” he told The Information.
Similarly, Anthony Vitillo would like to port the native MetaQuest version of his game HitMotion: Reloaded to the Apple Vision Pro. He wants to use a camera so HitMotion can show real objects, like punching bags.
“People are doing a lot of experiments with artificial intelligence and mixed reality,” Vitillo said. “A combination of the two would be great, especially for the Vision Pro since it is a premium device and should have premium features.”
“I think it would be a great way to reveal more of its functionality,” he continued.
Apple's smart decision
Although the two developers aren't causing a storm, their comments about the camera were reportedly repeated in statements to the publication by former Apple employees who worked on the platform. They said the decision to disable cameras and other sensors was made about eight years ago.
They say this stemmed from Apple learning about the iPhone and developers who used its sensors before it required apps to ask for user permission.
There was also privacy in the sense that no one wanted to be secretly recorded by the Apple Vision Pro or anything else. According to ex-employees, Apple executives feared undesirable behavior.
However, they also did not believe that the restriction would hinder creative developers.
If it's suppressing that creativity, Apple does have WWDC coming up now. Then, no doubt, new features of Apple Vision Pro will be announced.
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