Apple aims to make it easier for everyone to get a glimpse of the capabilities of its Vision Pro mixed reality headset. A deeper dive into the first visionOS beta reveals a guest mode. This allows users to pass on their expensive new headset to friends and family while their personal data is kept out of reach.

As spotted by 9to5Mac, the previously announced guest mode was revealed in the first developer beta of visionOS released this week. Apple has since confirmed that this new feature will be included in the Vision Pro headset.

Guest Mode, as you can already guess from its name, allows other users to interact with an Apple Vision Pro registered to another person. This is a useful feature given that the headset's functionality is tied to Optic ID, which is an authentication system similar to Face ID and Touch ID, except that it registers the user's iris. With guest mode, your friends and family will not have to go through the time-consuming process of registering for Optic ID.

And more importantly, you control what they see: according to code reviewed by 9to5Mac, owners can lock hidden or deleted photos behind Optic ID while other users are using the headset The owner can also lock the Optic ID while other users are using the headset. Owners can also set passwords to access certain apps and settings without having to unlock them with Optic ID.

A purported Guest Mode screenshot shared on Twitter showed the following pop-up message: "Allow others to use your Apple Vision Pro. Once started, mode will end if not turned on within 5 minutes"

.

This is not the only unannounced feature hinted at in the first visionOS beta; a MacRumors report found signs of a travel mode specifically aimed at using the mixed reality headset on airplanes.

Travel mode does not appear to be available yet, but a deeper dive into the beta code suggests that many of the headset's recognition features will be disabled or limited when activated. Given the cramped conditions of the average flight, this makes sense; Vision Pro relies on motion and gesture sensing, so being crammed into a tight space with hundreds of other people is bound to affect its functionality.

Also, the travel mode warns the user to be still, which seems obvious; with a $3,500 headset strapped to your face and covering your eyes, moving around will at best only panic your passengers and at worst be a genuine safety hazard It is likely to become a.

Since visionOS is still in early beta, changes may be made to Vision Pro's guest mode and other features before we get our hands on it. The exact release date for Vision Pro is unknown at this time, but it is expected to be available in early 2024. While you wait, check out our Apple Vision Pro hands-on for early impressions of the headset and our Apple Vision Pro hub for updates.