Note: This article was first published on 12 June 2025 and it’s republished now because visionOS 26 is available.
The Vision Pro is a curious device because while the tech is undeniably incredible, owners struggle to find a compelling use for it in their everyday lives. This, coupled with its price and the fact it can be uncomfortable to wear for extended periods, means it hasn’t been the commercial success that Apple probably hoped it would be.
Naturally, Apple has made improvements to try and make it a more indispensable tool. visionOS 2.2 added the Ultrawide view for Mac Virtual Display, and while it isn’t necessarily a “killer app”, there’s no question it has been invaluable for users who need all the desktop real estate they can get.
visionOS 26 attempts to give users even more reasons to put on their Vision Pro headsets daily with a new feature called Spatial Widgets, which I got to demo during my time at Apple Park.
As its name suggests, Spatial Widgets are widgets that you can place in space. Some widgets that I managed to try were Clock, Photos, and Music. The Clock widget resembles a high-end clock on your wall, while the Photos widget can be a nifty way of putting up your favourite photos on your wall without actually having to drill holes or stick tape. The Music widget is also cool because it reminds me of a wall-mounted CD player.
Photo: Apple
The really wild thing about the widgets is that they are persistent. Your Vision Pro will remember where you position them and they will always be there. And in this sense, it’s also a cool way of decorating your environment or personalising your space. Imagine placing a Weather widget at your door so that you’ll know if it’s going to rain when you head out, or putting the Music widget by your bed so that you can play tunes just before you sleep. Spatial widgets are easily my favourite update of visionOS 26.
However, I’m sceptical that owners are going to start putting on their Vision Pro more often just to get widgets around their living space. So I can’t help but think that this feature is perhaps more for the future than the present.
On the immediate horizon, Apple is rumoured to be working on a lighter and more affordable version of the Vision Pro. If it succeeds in making a headset that’s comfortable enough to wear for longer periods, Spatial Widgets could be a top feature for users.
The Vision Pro is just the first step in a greater journey for Apple and spatial computing. Photo: HWZ
But I can’t help but think that Apple has bigger plans in mind. Imagine how incredible it would be if you could have these Spatial Widgets around you all the time. That would be possible with smart glasses, something that Apple has been rumoured to be working on for a long time. It’s hard to say if visionOS 26 means Apple is closer to its goal, but the latest rumours say Apple is working hard and it could launch as soon as next year.
If anything, visionOS 26 suggests that Apple is in spatial computing for the long haul and the Vision Pro was just a preview or stepping stone to greater things in the future.