Apple Vision Pro will let you toss timers all over your kitchen while cooking

Setting timers in virtual reality

The creator of a recipe app is developing a function for Apple Vision Pro that enables users to set timers and position them alongside their food in a virtual reality environment.

Apple released its visionOS SDK and developer tools on Wednesday that are included in the second beta for Xcode. Developers have already started tinkering and considering ways to incorporate their apps into virtual reality.

For example, Steve Troughton Smith found that it's possible to select a specific area within the headset's visual range and position any app in a way that gives the illusion of it being physically located on that surface. And that's what Devin, creator of the Crouton app, is doing.

Timer support underway, place timers next to the food so you know what's what! Handy when you've got a few things on the go

Should probably file feedback to get a toastie maker added to this kitchen pic.twitter.com/wGKFD3CHAt
— Devin (@JustMeDevin) June 23, 2023

In a tweet, he announced his ongoing efforts to incorporate timer-setting capabilities into the visionOS edition of his app, allowing users to place timers beside the food they are cooking conveniently. The feature aims to assist in tracking time and maintaining organization during the cooking process.

"Timer support underway, place timers next to the food so you know what's what!" he said. "Handy when you've got a few things on the go."

Apple's forthcoming visionOS system for its headset introduces a feature that lets users resize app windows and incorporate multiple apps within their visual field. This feature enables apps to remain fixed in their positions, seamlessly blending into the surrounding environment and creating an immersive experience.

Users can seamlessly switch between different apps without losing sight of their virtual surroundings. Apps remain anchored in place, as Devin shows with his upcoming timer functionality.

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16 Comments

9secondkox2 2741 comments · 8 Years

About 10 months ago

This… is actually a pretty dang clever idea for headsets.

Open your virtual cookbook, set your times, the headset sees the amount of food and can virtual weigh and calculate the amounts - perhaps calculate caloric value too? Now there’s a great use case.

This won’t make me buy one. But if I had one, I’d definitely use it like this.

decoderring 51 comments · 13 Years

I don’t think cooking is one of the things I’d do while wearing a computer on my head.

To each his own, I guess.

mknelson 1127 comments · 9 Years

Shouldn't that be an "augmented reality environment"? The kitchen and food are real, not CG.

Japhey 1767 comments · 6 Years

JP234 said:

So for only $3,499 you can buy a kitchen timer that will what, time your cooking? Our kitchen has the OXO Good Grips Digital Triple Kitchen Timer. It cost $19.99 at WalMart. We also have timers on our stove, our microwave, our air fryer and of course our Apple Watches. None of those cost extra. They came with the equipment.

I'm sure there are must have apps coming. This isn't one of them.

Yeah, because everyone will be spending their $3.5k just for the timer.
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gatorguy 24220 comments · 13 Years

9secondkox2 said:

This… is actually a pretty dang clever idea for headsets.
Open your virtual cookbook, set your times, the headset sees the amount of food and can virtual weigh and calculate the amounts - perhaps calculate caloric value too? Now there’s a great use case.

This won’t make me buy one. But if I had one, I’d definitely use it like this.

It is an interesting use, but practical I'm not sure of.

Between kitchen heat and the stream or oils from cooking, and of course heat building in the headset itself with the higher kitchen temps, it does not seem like a good match for that activity. Once the product is released I've no doubt reviews will come in quickly. and show how practical it really is. It might be surprisingly useful.

FWIW, it's a really simple process now to verbally set multiple named timers in order to keep track of everything cooking, baking, or marinating in my kitchen.