Apple's Vision Pro app problems

Welcome, Tech enthusiasts.

The Vision Pro is Apple’s biggest launch in a decade — but not everyone is coming to the welcome party.

Tensions between the tech giant and the developer community are threatening to rain on the company’s new launch. Let’s dive in…

In today’s tech rundown:

• Major companies avoiding Vision Pro apps

• Disney demos HoloTile floor for shared VR experiences

• 7 new products

• 7 quick stories

• X’s payment feature inches closer

• Boeing faces additional scrutiny after safety issues

• Apple’s iMessage Check-In feature

Read time: 3 minutes

TODAY’S HEADLINES

APPLE

🍎 Major companies avoiding Vision Pro apps

The Rundown: Several major apps including Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify will not offer dedicated experiences for the upcoming Apple Vision Pro headset — leaving consumers forced to access popular platforms in-browser via Safari.

The details:

• Netflix and YouTube, which both compete with Apple in the streaming space — confirmed that they will not be releasing native apps as of now.

• Bloomberg reported that Spotify will also refrain from an integration on the headsets, with rumors that Meta and Google apps will also be absent.

• Apple simplified Vision Pro app development by automatically including iPad apps, but some developers are still holding off.

• Despite the notable holdouts, over a dozen entertainment apps have already pledged support, including TikTok, streaming services, sports leagues and more.

Why it matters: It’s going to be tough to have a great experience on the Vision Pro if the most-used apps are all missing from the headset. Apple’s failure to play nice with competing tech firms may be driving this power play — and could seriously hamper the company’s most pivotal launch in a decade.

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DISNEY

🪄 Disney demos HoloTile floor for shared VR experiences

The Rundown: Disney Imagineer Lanny Smoot showed off the HoloTile floor — a treadmill-style floor that enables multiple people to have shared virtual reality experiences.

The details:

• HoloTile uses rotating tiles to simulate realistic multi-directional movement in VR without users leaving the floor area.

• The surface can enable experiences like collaborative VR sightseeing, games, training, and other applications with natural walking motion.

• Smoot said he sees potential for HoloTile at Disney's parks and venues— like using it as a stage insert for new types of dance performances or dynamic set changes.

Why it matters: Is this a key breakthrough towards more immersive, shared virtual reality experiences? Between increases in robotics and AI — alongside more mainstream adoption via headsets like the Vision Pro, the ‘Ready Player One’ era of VR may be here soon.

NEW PRODUCTS

🤖 CuServly- Your business's essential AI chatbot (link)

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📷 Photify AI- Instant AI-generated portraits (link)

👨 AI Steve- Analyzes websites for strategic advice (link)

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Browse the most popular tools ever featured with our tool database.

SNIPPETS

NASA successfully reestablished contact with the Ingenuity helicopter on Mars after a communication blackout during its 72nd flight.

X created a dedicated account for its upcoming Payments feature, leading to surges in several Musk-linked cryptocurrencies like Doge speculation on potential integration.

Apple unveiled an iPhone 15 commercial showcasing the Messages app's Check-In feature, emphasizing peace of mind for parents of new drivers.

UK researchers are exploring the use of old mine shafts to store and distribute the waste heat from supercomputers to heat homes efficiently.

A real estate startup is creating a community in Appalachia designed for right-wingers seeking refuge from what they perceive as cultural insanity.

Boeing faces scrutiny over its close ties with the U.S. government following safety issues with its 737 Max planes.

Japan's SLIM probe successfully landed on the moon, making Japan the fifth nation to achieve a lunar landing, but faces power issues with its solar panels.

AMD has removed 'Made in Taiwan' markings from its Ryzen 7000 processors, citing alignment with its product marking process and not political reasons.

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THAT’S A WRAP

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