Apple TV app adds 3D movies ahead of Vision Pro release

Apple Vision Pro at WWDC 2023

Long after the death of 3D televisions, the recently-updated Apple TV app in tvOS 17.2 is including 3D versions of movies, presumably intended to be watched on the Apple Vision Pro headset.

During its launch of the Vision Pro, Apple demonstrated watching 3D movies through the device, but did not specify how they would be available. Now according to FlatpanelsHD, it's xhttps://www.flatpanelshd.com/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1699434273 through the regular Apple TV app -- and there are already some 3D titles being added.

Using the redesigned tvOS 17.2 beta, the publication found what it describes as a handful of movies that have a 3D logo, including "Jurassic World: Dominion," and "Kung Fu Panda 3." They say the logo also resembles a headset.

The 3D headset icon as spotted in tvOS 17.2

This logo is the outline of headset glasses with "3D" written the middle. On FlatpanelsHD's screen grabs -- not so far reproducible by AppleInsider -- the icon is in the same row as the Dolby, 4K, Closed Caption, and other symbols. Currently it has been seen on the listings for:

• 47 Ronin

• Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away

• Everest

• Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters

• Jurassic World Dominion

• Kung Fu Panda 3

• Mortal Engines

• Pacific Rim Uprising

• Sanctum

• Shrek

• Skyscraper

• Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas

• The Boss Baby: Family Business

• The Little Princess

• The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature

• The Secret Life of Pets 2

• Trolls

• Trolls World Tour

While it seems early to be adding 3D movies when the Vision Pro headset is not due out until 2024, it's arguably also late. The latest fad for 3D TV sets ended in 2017 and although Apple could conceivably reignite demand for 3D, manufacturers would need time to develop their sets too.

Apple Vision Pro is reportedly on schedule for an early 2024 release, but it's not at all clear whether that just means in the spring or not.