It’s springtime within the tech world, so birds are singing, flowers are blooming, and the Apple campus is preparing for its annual developer convention. WWDC 2023 is occurring at present at Apple’s spaceship HQ in Cupertino. Following final month’s Google I/O, WWDC is the place we’ll study what’s developing for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and their equipment. We additionally count on a bunch of beta software program we are able to tinker with on Apple’s many gadgets, and probably even Apple’s long-rumored AR/VR headset.
When is WWDC and find out how to watch
Apple’s Worldwide Developer Convention will air on-line between June 5-9, 2023. There can be an in-person element to the occasion for builders who’ve signed up beforehand and wish to attend the Apple Park particular occasion. You may tune in to the opening keynote on June 5, 2023 via YouTube or straight from Apple’s web site.
What can we count on at WWDC?
There can be bulletins centered round all of Apple’s software program divisions, together with iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 14, and watchOS 10. Famous trade analyst, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, has already stated there’s no expectation for main tvOS upgrades. Although we count on little fanfare over the following model of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, watchOS 10 might have a complete new feel and look, plus new health-centric options.
Apple has additionally traditionally used WWDC to tease new {hardware}, together with upgrades to its home made processors and refreshes of its hottest gadgets. Devoted Mac customers hope to listen to extra in regards to the Mac Professional, final refreshed in 2019, earlier than Apple’s M processor takeover. And if the rumors are on the mark, we’ll lastly get to see one thing to do with the much-leaked-about Apple Actuality Professional headset. Gurman has additionally not too long ago stated we are able to count on “a number of new MacBooks” on the occasion.
What’s new in iOS 17?
We now have already damaged out a number of the extra compelling iPhone 15 rumors in a separate article, so head there in the event you’re enthusiastic about {hardware}. In any other case, iOS 17 is shaping as much as be fairly much like iOS 16. Along with important bug fixes and efficiency enhancements, it is going to broaden on iOS 16’s options for customizing the lock display. It’s additionally imagined to introduce new options for the Dynamic Island that dropped with the iPhone 14 Professional/Professional Max. We would lastly get information on the CarPlay replace we’ve been anticipating since final 12 months, and Apple Well being will probably provide “yet another factor” to maintain the Apple-using crowd logging their knowledge with the iPhone’s default health-tracking app. There’s additionally been authorized stress for Apple to lastly open up the working system to third-party side-loading, akin to what Android has had entry to all this time, so we would see one thing on that. To that finish, iOS 17 might additionally spell the finish of assist for the iPhone 8 and iPhone X.
What’s new in iPadOS 17?
Like iPadOS 16, iPadOS 17 is prone to have a lot of the identical DNA as iOS 17, however with some giant display enhancements. We’re nonetheless ready for some primary skills to hold over, together with the iPhone’s customizable Lock Display screen. There’s phrase that the iPad will get a model of the Well being app for individuals who don’t trouble with the iPhone. And the 2015 first-gen 12.9-inch iPad Professional, the 2017 Fifth-gen iPad, and the 2016 9.7-inch iPad Professional might formally lose assist after this software program hits.
What’s new in watchOS 10?
Whereas final 12 months was a giant one for brand spanking new Apple Watch fashions, this 12 months ought to usher in improved software program. Gurman has teased that watchOS can be “a reasonably intensive improve,” together with some “notable modifications to the person interface.” A rendering over at 9to5Mac gives a glimpse at what the brand new watchOS 10 might appear like, together with fewer “bubbles” and extra widgets embedded all through.
What’s new in macOS 14?
Thus far, there’s little or no in the way in which of rumors for the following iteration of MacOS. With the present model being known as Ventura, you may at present guess which California landmark the following one may very well be known as (“Redwood” is a high quality title) however that doesn’t clarify what’s coming subsequent.
On the MacRumors podcast from April, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman stated we probably received’t seen something actually “groundbreaking.” Together with efficiency updates, the perfect we are able to hope for is Apple persevering with the development of baking in additional iOS options into its laptop computer working system, equivalent to Pockets or iCloud backups.
What’s new with Mac Execs and iMacs?
We’re anticipating some {hardware} at WWDC 2023, particularly the Mac Professional, which we hoped would get its replace final 12 months when the M2 processor debuted. It might even be the opener for the Apple M2 Extremely processor, however Gurman stated on the MacRumors podcast to attend till later within the 12 months and to not count on it to have an Apple M processor improve.
Only a few months into 2023, we had been already feeling whiplash concerning Apple’s mainline desktop gadget. Early rumors stated {that a} new model of the iMac received’t come till 2024, however in March, extra proof confirmed the iMac might see a 2023 launch. Greater than that, the present phrase on the road is it is going to incorporate the most recent model of the M-Sequence chip, the M3. This can be a important step up from the final model of the iMac and its M1 silicon.
It’s been a number of years because the final iMac launch, so after all a brand new model ought to get a pleasant, large stage to point out off its capabilities. Although that raises the query if that stage goes to be WWDC 2023. Rumors have that will probably be prepared for launch within the second half of 2023, however is Apple going to upstage its extra in style laptop computer merchandise by displaying off a M3-powered desktop first?
What’s new with MacBooks?
There’s been a bevy of rumors saying the Cupertino firm is engaged on new Mac Execs that incorporate Apple’s proprietary silicon, although we might have to attend one other 12 months for M3-powered laptops. Apple can be reportedly engaged on a 15-inch MacBook Air and a 13-inch MacBook Professional to associate with previously-announced 14- and 16-inch Professional fashions. These are prone to embody an M2 chip.
Apple could also be seeking to make a splash in its laptop computer showcase, contemplating latest provide points. The corporate has been hit more durable than different producers, as studies present it had shipped 40% fewer MacBooks within the first few months of 2023 in comparison with final 12 months. The corporate has additionally been ordering far fewer M2 chips for its mainline MacBook merchandise. All this factors to a drop in demand in comparison with pandemic highs.
Whether or not or not this implies any person at Apple will speak up an OLED MacBook or M3-powered laptop computer at this 12 months’s WWDC stays to be seen. Nonetheless, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman is anticipating “a number of new macbooks” to be introduced at this 12 months’s WWDC convention.
What’s new with Apple’s VR/AR headset?
That is the large one. The corporate’s deliberate VR headset would simply be considered one of Apple’s greatest dangers since its preliminary debut of the primary iPhone again in 2007. Although there have been questions on after we’d lastly see the headset, all studies level to a debut at this 12 months’s WWDC. Apple’s first foray into the VR market goes to be very totally different than virtually some other providing on the market by way of performance, out there apps, and value.
Primarily based on a number of leaks and studies over the previous few months, Apple will exhibit its $3,000 “Actuality” headset. The gadget is predicted to make use of combined actuality, that means it combines full colour passthrough for augmented actuality features in addition to the digital actuality apps most individuals are used to with cheaper headsets just like the Meta Quest 2. The headset will probably include a separate battery again connected by wire to the headset, although the remainder of its performance must be wi-fi.
Does that imply a completely new Apple OS?
The rumors point out the “Actuality” headset can be powered by the so-called “xrOS” working system. The headset’s MR functionality will probably be most-obvious in its app choice. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has stated the “Actuality One”—if that’s actually its ultimate product title—will embody a slew of apps one would possibly instantly acknowledge come inventory on iOS, equivalent to calendars, mail, messaging, and notes. There might even be AR variations of Apple Books that can allow you to sit down and switch the pages on a digital e book. Alongside some VR and AR video games, the gadget additionally appears to be constructed to entice the wellness crowd with its Health+ app.
Apple wants to point out off a tool that does one thing totally different from opponents as a way to create sufficient buzz to justify its existence, on condition that VR appears to be on the decline elsewhere. With a $3,000 anticipated asking value, the Actuality headset could be geared extra in the direction of lovers and companies. Future gadgets will probably decrease that value considerably, however this preliminary launch will set the tone for all future gadgets, and doubtlessly the whole VR trade.
