Apple Vision Pro Compatibility Mode

[Andres Flores]

I figured that affinity would probably not be making Vision Pro native apps, but I was exited for the possibility of using the suite's software on Vision Pro using compatibility mode. I noticed on the App Store's HTML Page that Affinity has opted out to allowing this (maybe?). According other forums, this HTML code block was an indication that the devs opted out of the default option to run in compatibility mode, i.e. run the app as if it were the iPad version in a virtual window.

Quote

"http://affinity.serif.com/designer/ipad\",\"isXROSCompatible\":false,"

It would be amazing to use this software on VisionOS, especially since you are able to use a keyboard and pointer device with the hardware, and I don't understand why several developers are omitting this capability as it requires little to no work on the developer side. Please enable compatibility!

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more about our workflow for those interested - I work in publishing as we use apps like Apple's freeform to collaborate on our layouts. We recently switched from InDesign to Affinity Publisher / Designer so that we could also work on iPads as they are more portable and the software suite is more responsive and fast when compared to adobe software products. Although Vision hardware will not be available for another two weeks or so, we have two units in our company that we planned to use as remote collaboration devices. As it stands, we would have to use the Mac versions of the suite mirrored to the Vision Pro device. It would be beneficial to have this app run in compatibility more so that our workflow could be even more portable with less devices. so please, pretty please cherry on top, enable compatibility mode at minimum. It would be so awesome. Thank you!

Edited January 21, 2024 by Andres Flores
spelling correction and added context.

[fde101]

Hi @Andres Flores, welcome to the forums!

One challenge is that they would need a Vision Pro to test the software on to make sure it works, otherwise they will be getting support issues that they can't realistically address since they do not have the hardware.  Additionally, the Vision Pro seems to be designed for one person to use, so they may need multiple $3500 single-developer systems for what may in the end prove to be a niche product.

It is not clear at this time how many of these will sell in its first iteration, so I can understand developers not wanting to jump the gun on pouring resources into supporting it until we see how it will fare in the market.

Note also that these apps on the iPad primarily benefit from the precision of input using the Apple Pencil, and all indications are that much of this precision will be lost with the AVP and its advertised input methods - it will probably not be as easy to provide precise drawings on as even using a finger on an iPad - so the apps may not map well to the platform in the first place.

This is a relatively new category of product so it is understandable that a lot of developers will hold back on supporting it initially.

[darkfusion42]

+1 on this. Came here looking for an answer about it not being compatible. Traded my iPad Pro for this as for everything else it’s much better for my workflow, but missing Affinity is a huge blow for me. 

[SoFLBill]

+1.  I was really looking forward to using this as well.