Arr, Apple be not craftin' game controllers fer Vision Pro - Microsoft an' Sony 'ave got ye back, matey!
2023-07-03
Arr, Apple be swearin' by all the doubloons in the seven seas that the Vision Pro shall be a place where ye don't be needin' a controller, even for plunderin' in the gaming world – yet it be willin' to parley with third party controllers, if ye be fancyin' it.
In a hilarious twist of events, it seems that Apple is channeling its inner pirate by declaring its upcoming AR/VR headset a "controller-free zone." According to Apple watcher Mark Gurman, the company has decided to forgo traditional hand controllers and instead focus on hand and eye scanning, as well as Siri voice controls, to control their Vision Pro headset. This means no physical controllers like the ones you find with headsets such as the HTC Vive Pro 2.Apple did experiment with other controller options, including a finger-based device and third-party VR controllers, but ultimately decided to go in a different direction. They even contemplated using a physical Bluetooth or Mac keyboard, but settled on an in-air keyboard for those moments when you need to type something, like a password.
Now, you might be wondering if the Vision Pro will support third-party controllers. The answer, according to Gurman, is a little complicated. While Apple won't be making its own game controller for the headset, it will support PS5 and Xbox controllers for gaming. However, there are currently no plans to support third-party VR accessories.
Despite the lack of third-party support or a hardware handheld controller, many early reviews suggest that this won't be a major issue. The gesture and vision tracking of the Vision Pro reportedly work well after a quick setup routine. With time, Apple may even develop a VR equivalent of its Made for iPhone certification scheme.
So, fear not, mateys! Apple's Vision Pro headset may be lacking in physical controllers, but its unique control methods and ongoing refinements should make for a fun and immersive experience on the high seas of virtual reality.