Are you ready for Apple WWDC? Here’s what to expect
The highly-anticipated Apple WWDC is kicking off today at Apple Park in California. Will we see the unprecedented MR headset?
Courtesy of Apple.
Following Google I/O and Microsoft Build, Apple is also launching its highly-anticipated Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) from June 5-9 at Apple Park, Cupertino, California. The event is kicking off today at 10 am Pacific time (9 pm GST).
The event is usually a showcase of new software in Mac, iPhone, Apple Watch, and other Apple software. It gives a snippet for developers and users of Apple’s hardware event in the autumn. However, this year, Apple is reportedly going to break the tradition by unveiling one of its most ambitious hardware products in years—a mixed-reality headset. CNN dubbed it “the biggest product launch since Apple Watch.” It became the news of the town several months ago, and even Meta was anxious about it. The metaverse’s inventor launched its new quest headset a few days before WWDC.
Besides this mysterious headset, what else can we expect from this year’s WWDC?
Watch the livestream below:
The software
As usual, Apple will still focus on the software updates in iOS/iPadOS 17, MacOS 14, and WatchOS 10.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman wrote about a new iPhone interface that shows calendar appointments, weather, and notifications in the style of a smart-home display in its iOS 17 software update. This update “mimics an approach used by the Android operating system,” as Gurman calls it. Rumor says there will also be a new journaling app as well as additional features in Dynamic Island.
While updates with iPadOS 17 would be generally similar to that of iOS 17, it might have an additional update in its Stage Manager feature. This multitasking feature was introduced with iPadOS16 last year and it mimics the experience of a desktop computer.
The name of the new MacOS 14 is still unknown. However, it is said to have an update in hardware. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts an M2-powered 15-inch MacBook Air with two core options with either an 8-core or 10-core CPU.
WatchOS might see some bigger updates with widgets. Widget stacks could be an option on WatchOS to allow easier transitions between apps.
The Reality Pro headset
Rumor has it that the unprecedented Apple headset will be called the Reality Pro or Reality One. It is anticipated to cost $3,000. On the other hand, the new Meta Quest 3 is only $500, and Lenovo’s ThinkReality VRX headset costs $1,299. It is questionable that consumers will pay for a $3,000 MR headset—because it’s from Apple.
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the headset will come with 4K micro-OLED displays, 12 optical cameras for tracking hand movements, two M2-based processors, and an external power supply.
Stay tuned for the announcements from the WWDC23 with WIRED Middle East.
