Apple is making significant progress in its endeavor to introduce controllers to the Vision Pro headset. According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, there’s an ongoing collaboration with Sony aimed at integrating support for the PSVR 2 controllers with Apple’s headset, and things are looking promising.
Gurman had revealed late last year that Apple approached Sony in early 2024. This effort is part of a lengthy initiative to bring PSVR 2 controller support to Apple’s $3,500 XR device. Around that time, Apple was also in talks with third-party developers about incorporating controller support into their games.
Gurman writes in his ‘Power On’ newsletter that “all signs point to this project still being in development,” with expectations that support might come in a software update later this year through visionOS 3.
When Apple launched the Vision Pro in February 2024, it didn’t come with controllers—relying instead on hand and eye-tracking technology built into the headset. This aligns with the headset’s identity as a versatile computing platform, contrasting the gaming-focused approach of devices like Meta Quest.
Teaming up with Sony is a smart move. Sony had already expanded PSVR 2’s reach beyond the PS5 console by allowing support for PC VR games through a purchasable adapter. This led some to speculate about Sony’s long-term commitment to its VR headset. For Apple, it means introducing a familiar controller standard to developers without stepping on Sony’s toes directly.
If the collaboration unfolds as suggested, adding motion controller support would be a significant step for Apple towards attracting mainstream VR gamers. Rumors had previously suggested Apple was hesitant to manufacture its own controllers or support third-party ones.
Despite this, some third-parties have not waited around. Notably, the Surreal Touch controllers have gathered attention and funding, raising $127,000 on Kickstarter. These controllers don’t rely on Vision Pro’s tracking abilities but instead use onboard cameras to track their position—similar to Meta’s Touch Pro controllers. For more insights, XR industry expert Nima Zeighami’s initial review of Surreal Touch is worth a read.
