It seems that Apple is making strides in its efforts to incorporate controllers into the Vision Pro headset. According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, the tech giant is actively working with Sony to enable the use of PSVR 2 controllers on Apple’s headset.
Gurman highlighted that Apple approached Sony in early 2024 as part of a long-term project to bring this controller functionality to their Vision Pro, which comes with a hefty $3,500 price tag. Back then, Apple was also exploring partnerships with third-party developers to integrate support for these controllers into their games.
In his recent ‘Power On’ newsletter, Gurman indicated that everything points to this initiative still being in motion. He suggested that we might see the feature rolled out in a software update later this year, likely with the release of visionOS 3.
When Apple initially introduced Vision Pro in February 2024, it was sans controllers, opting instead to lean on its built-in hand and eye-tracking features. This approach aligns with the headset’s design as a versatile computing device rather than just a gaming console, which is the path taken by competitors like the Meta Quest.
Teaming up with Sony seems like a smart move. After all, Sony has already begun to expand PSVR 2’s compatibility beyond its PlayStation 5 console, facilitating PC VR gaming through a separate adapter. This has led some to perceive Sony as potentially less committed to its VR headset. For Apple, this partnership offers a chance to establish a controller framework that developers can easily adopt without stepping on Sony’s existing market.
If these reports hold water, Apple’s decision to support motion controllers would mark a significant pivot to engage the wider VR gaming community. This move goes somewhat against the whispers in the industry that suggested Apple had no interest in developing or even supporting third-party controllers from the get-go.
Despite this stance, it hasn’t deterred third-party creators from taking matters into their own hands. The Surreal Touch controllers, for instance, have garnered $127,000 on Kickstarter. Intriguingly, these controllers don’t depend on Vision Pro’s tracking but instead have their own cameras for positioning—a system not unlike the Meta’s Touch Pro controllers. For a deep dive into the Surreal Touch controllers, check out the initial insights shared by XR industry expert Nima Zeighami.
