DJ App in XR: How Algoriddim Sets Standards on the Vision Pro

Karim, for years, djay by Algoriddim has been the leading app for DJs on all major platforms – from iPad to Android to Windows – with millions of downloads. For all non-DJs: What can your app do and how does it work on “classic” devices such as tablets or laptops?

Karim Morsy: djay is an intuitive music app that allows users to mix their favorite songs. Thanks to the seamless integration with streaming services such as Apple Music, millions of tracks can be accessed directly from the app.

For those who like to relax, djay's Automix mode with state-of-the-art AI support offers the perfect solution. Users can sit back and enjoy an automatic mix – ideal for parties at home or cozy evenings with friends.

On devices such as the iPad, djay allows you to control virtual turntables via touchscreen. External DJ hardware can also be seamlessly connected for additional control, making djay a powerful tool for professional use.

First iPhone, then iPad, now the Vision Pro: Algoriddim was always one of the first

At the beginning of the year, you took a risk: You released an XR version of djay for the Apple Vision Pro – for a completely new platform whose success was not guaranteed. Why was that?

Karim Morsy: djay has been around since 2006, even before the App Store existed. Even back then, we were enthusiastic about new technologies and recognized the potential of mobile platforms early on. When Apple launched the iPhone and later the iPad, we were one of the first apps on these devices. In that sense, we didn't see the release of djay for Vision Pro as a gamble, but as a logical step in our mission to make the art of DJing accessible to everyone. With new platforms, we always ask ourselves how we can make the DJ experience even more exciting and innovative – and that's exactly what we've done with the Vision Pro.

A DJ app in virtual reality: is this a nice gimmick or does it offer users real added value?

Karim Morsy: As well as being a lot of fun, djay on the Vision Pro also offers real added value. DJs not only spend their time on stage, but also dedicate themselves to crate digging, the constant search for new tracks for their next set, much like a chef looking for suitable ingredients. In the immersive worlds of Vision Pro, DJs can achieve a real state of flow that transports them directly to their next gig – with visual light shows in the desert or dancing robots in space. This promotes creative inspiration and has never been possible with traditional means.

In addition, eye and gesture control open up completely new forms of musical expression. Hand gestures are among the most intuitive control methods available – this is how musicians have been conducting orchestras for centuries. The additional layer of three-dimensional space also makes it possible to control several effects simultaneously with one hand, which opens up completely new creative possibilities that were never possible with classic DJ consoles.

World-renowned DJs such as Laidback Luke have already performed exclusive sets using only Vision Pro and djay. It's fascinating to see what's possible with this new technology and what our users can do with it.

What was it like to develop for Vision Pro? And would you do it again?

Karim Morsy: Developing for the Vision Pro was incredibly inspiring because it offers so many new creative possibilities. We've been developing software with traditional 2D user interfaces for almost 20 years, but with Vision Pro we were able to recreate DJ turntables that we originally brought from the real world to the digital in a true-to-life 3D environment.

You have already won the Apple Design Award 2024 in the Spatial Computing category with your app. What were the reactions otherwise?

Karim Morsy: The reactions range from great curiosity to absolute enthusiasm. Spatial computing is a completely new paradigm and the beginning of a new era. We are convinced that it will play an increasingly important role in the future. We were particularly pleased to win this year's Apple Design Award with djay, as Apple presented it for the first time in the Spatial Computing category. The fact that a company from Munich and not Silicon Valley won this award makes us particularly proud. It underlines the importance of Bavaria as a location for future technologies and innovation.

Every device has its place: XR as an additional technology

What is your prediction: Will the XR version of djay eventually be the most important and most successful, because spatial computing will prevail?

Karim Morsy: We see our product line as a dynamic overall system in which smartphone, tablet, desktop and XR continue to coexist and enrich each other. The experience gained from developing for the Vision Pro has already enabled us to take our djay app for iPhone, iPad and Mac to a new level.

Each device has its specific strengths, depending on the situation and use case. Just as mobile devices have not completely replaced computers, there will also be scenarios in the future where one device or another is particularly useful. Spatial computing will certainly evolve in the coming years and traditional platforms will continue to have their place.