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We are excited to announce that heyVR.io has become the first Web App launched on PICO Store. heyVR.io is an iconic application in the WebXR community, and this milestone aligns with PICO's vision of building an open ecosystem. By supporting Web technologies, we empower developers to create immersive experiences across devices and platforms.
Advantages of Launching Websites as Web Apps
heyVR.io is a WebXR game portal and 2D web application that allows users to access a wide range of WebXR games directly through its website. Now, with PICO's support for Web Apps, heyVR.io, as a PWA, is listed on the PICO Store. Users can access it as easily as any other app without entering a URL in the browser, making it easier to discover and use.
PICO's support for Web Apps allows heyVR.io to achieve broader coverage and more convenient user experiences using PWA technology. PWAs combine web and native app functionalities, ensuring rich, immersive experiences without traditional app installations. For developers, PWAs mean faster deployment cycles, easier updates, and wider device coverage. In addition to being accessible through the browser, heyVR.io is now also available directly in the PICO app library, enhancing user experience and app discoverability.
PICO's Support for Web Developers
PICO believes the web platform can drive innovation in the XR field. Our strategy is to cultivate an open ecosystem where developers can easily develop and publish applications using Web technologies. By embracing open standards and providing tools and support, we aim to lower the barrier to entry and encourage a vibrant creator community. This release builds on our foundational Web Apps support, and the heyVR team submitted their Web App through the PICO Developer Console with a simple URL.
We look forward to more Web applications surpassing browser limitations and entering the PICO Store and OS interfaces, providing users with seamless, direct, immersive gaming experiences. To support developers, PICO has established a simplified PWA publishing process. Developers can use existing web products and standard web development technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, integrating XR functionalities via WebXR API. Ensuring their websites support PWA can be as simple as adding a web app manifest file. Once ready, developers can submit the URL through the PICO Developer Portal. Our team will review each submission to ensure quality and performance standards, providing feedback and support as needed. Once approved, the PWA will be published in the PICO Store, accessible to users worldwide, and promoted through PICO's channels to reach a broader audience.
Join the WebXR Ecosystem Development
We invite all WebXR developers to join this exciting journey. By developing PWAs for the PICO ecosystem, you can lead the XR revolution, creating experiences that delight and inspire users globally. Browse our Web Developer Documentation to start your development journey and shape the future of immersive web experiences. We look forward to seeing more innovative applications from developers.
For support and ecosystem collaboration, don't hesitate to contact us. We are happy to assist you. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to expand and enrich the PICO Web App ecosystem. Let’s build the future of XR together!
Authors: Ke Jing (ke.jing@bytedance.com), Dexter Yang (dexter.yang@bytedance.com)