Apple needs a Supernatural to compete in VR

Apple is set to launch a mixed reality headset in 2022 or 2023 against stiff competition from Meta. With Meta’s rebrand and commitment to invest $10B into the metaverse, along with their existing Occulus brand this will not be an easy task. However, Apple has already made some moves in the area I don’t see enough folks talking about.

The killer app for VR might be fitness.

Meta bought Supernatural, an app that I love and use regulary. I box, and swing virtual battons to liscenced, popping music set against breathtaking backdrops including the Temple of the Sphinx, New Zealand, and of course, the Moon.

I look forward to the 15–20 min sweat session moreso than I did the Apple Fitness+ workouts that I gave a lot of love to in 2021, shoutout to Kyle. Supernatural gets my heart rate up into the 160 range, and you can go downtempto to hit the holy ground of a 30min Zone 2 workout.

I love my Quest 2 and use apps like Spatial, Super Hot, and Resident Evil 4 but they don’t hold a candle to what it feels like doing a Suoernatural workout.

Apple already has it’s hands deep in Fitness with Fitness+ and must be seeing what Supernatural is doing. I hope that when Apple does launch it’s VR headset, it does it with some kind of fitness app that frankly takes what Supernatural does, which is a throwback to the OG VR game, BeatSaber, and does it even better with their full Fitness+ glory. They’ve got Apple Music and deep ties to content, so competing with Supernatural on the music front shouldn’t be hard. Heck, they even have their AppleTV+ original content and could put you into those worlds, or partner with longtime friend, Disney and take IP content to the next level in VR.

All in all, Apple doesn’t have many leaks, but if we start to see some VR headsets in the background of those Fitness+ Santa Monica studios, we will know they agree Fitness just might be the killer VR app.