Apple Vision Pro to Get Eye-Controlled Scrolling in visionOS 3
Apple is reportedly developing a groundbreaking feature for its Vision Pro headset: eye-controlled scrolling. This innovation, expected to arrive with visionOS 3, promises a hands-free way to navigate apps, potentially revolutionizing the user experience. Will this make the already expensive Vision Pro even more appealing?
According to reports from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and 9to5Mac, Apple is actively testing this eye-scrolling capability. The feature aims to let users scroll through software simply by using their gaze, eliminating the need for hand gestures. Currently, Vision Pro users navigate by looking at objects and pinching their fingers to select them. The new feature would augment this existing system.
visionOS 3's eye-scrolling feature is expected to work across all of Apple's built-in apps. The company is also reportedly working on providing developers with the tools to integrate this functionality into their own apps. This would ensure a consistent experience throughout the Vision Pro ecosystem. However, some concerns have been raised about potential inconsistencies if developers are required to build specific support, which could undermine the feature’s usefulness.
While details on the precise mechanism for eye-scrolling are scarce, Wes Davis of The Verge speculates it might involve focusing on the edge of a page or a UI element and then looking above or below it to initiate movement. This is distinct from the existing Dwell Control accessibility feature, which, while offering a similar function, is considered less refined. Alternatives to scrolling, such as pinching gestures, Bluetooth mice, and game controllers, would still be available.
One potential challenge is the reliability of eye-tracking in general. As 9to5Mac notes, while the current eye-tracking is “good enough,” there’s still room for improvement. For eye-scrolling to be truly effective, the Vision Pro needs to accurately interpret the user's gaze without relying excessively on hand gestures. Improved eye-tracking could significantly enhance the overall user experience and open the door for more innovative interfaces.
The timing of the visionOS 3 announcement aligns with Apple's upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June. Mark Gurman suggests that Apple is planning a “pretty feature-packed release,” making WWDC a prime venue for showcasing this new eye-tracking capability.
The introduction of eye-controlled scrolling represents a significant step forward in spatial computing. By allowing users to interact with the interface using only their eyes, Apple is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with headsets. What advancements do you hope to see next for the Vision Pro? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let us know what you think!
