Apple's Vision Pro is adopting the Meta Quest 3 feature that piqued the most enthusiasm among users, a feature that has yet to be rolled out even after a delay of over twelve months.
The Exciting Future of Virtual Decor and Functionality in Mixed Reality: A Examination of Meta Quest 3's Augments and Apple Vision Pro's Spatial Widgets
Ever since the Meta Quest 3 hit the market, one enticing mixed reality feature I've been anxious to explore was Augments. Regrettably, after over a year and a half, Augments have yet to materialize. But, the Apple Vision Pro is poised to step into the limelight and finally realize Meta's vision for mixed reality!
Meta's Augments aimed to offer persistent virtual adornments that you could place in your real-world abode while utilizing the Meta Quest 3 for mixed reality experiences. These additions ranged from attractive accents like trophies or decorations to functional ones such as clocks or portals for swiftly launching your preferred apps.
In September 2023 at Meta Connect 2023, Meta promised that Augments would soon arrive, but regrettably, they have yet to manifest. Sometime around a year ago, Meta's CTO Andrew Bosworth shared on Instagram that, in January 2024, the company decided that Augments weren't "satisfactory enough," prompting the team to return to the drawing board[1].
To this day, no release date has been provided, and nearly a year has passed since Meta last addressed Augments[1].
Meanwhile, at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed its upcoming software suite, which included visionOS 26, and introduced spatial widgets - effectively, Augments for the Apple Vision Pro. During the presentation, we witnessed clips of users enhancing their real-world spaces with intricate virtual clocks, personalized calendars, and cherished spatial photos. Each time a user re-enters mixed reality through their Vision Pro headset, these widgets will be waiting for them exactly as they left them[2].
It seems these mixed reality and augmented reality experiences will soon become the norm, making virtual and practical elements increasingly relevant - particularly persistent elements that can always be found in a fixed location, just like traditional decorations[3].
A calendar is an excellent example. While physical wall calendars make it simpler to keep track of upcoming events, updating them can be a chore. Apple's virtual calendar blends both the convenience of digital calendars and the visibility of physical ones, offering the best of both worlds[3]. The same goes for spatial photo frames and other widgets.
It's uncertain when Meta's Augments will finally make an appearance - perhaps not until the consumer Meta Orion AR glasses are released. However, Apple's widget announcement has only underlined their allure and left me hopeful for a speedy launch of Augments[2].
Could this visionOS 26 update light the fire beneath Meta and bring Augments to us sooner rather than later? Only time will tell.
Recommended Reading
- Apple unveils a major visual overhaul for iOS 26 and macOS 26 at WWDC 2025
- The Inside Scoop: Everything You Need to Know about watchOS 26
- The Camera App Gets an Overdue Upgrade in iOS 26
In the field of technology, the anticipated Apple Vision Pro is set to introduce spatial widgets, effectively fulfilling Meta's vision for mixed reality that was initially promised with the Meta Quest 3's Augments. These interactive widgets, reminiscent of decorative gadgets and functional smartphone apps, will include virtual calendars and photo frames, offering a seamless blend of practicality and digital convenience. It remains to be seen if the visionOS 26 update will accelerate the release of Meta's Augments for the Meta Orion AR glasses.
