On June 5, Apple is going to start its annual developer conference, Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2023. The Cupertino-based tech giant is expected to launch iOS 17 and various products at the event. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has listed all the significant devices that are rumoured to launch at the WWDC 2023 conference. The event will take place in an online format and will run through June 9. However, the company claims that it will offer developers and students an opportunity for an in person special experience at Apple Park in Cupertino on the opening day.
The report suggests that Apple will make multiple vital announcements at WWDC 2023. The company is expected to launch the much anticipated Apple AR/VR headset, which is expected to be named the Reality Pro. Furthermore, Apple may introduce the xrOS operating system, which will run the mixed reality headset. The company will also roll out the iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 14 and watchOS 10 operating systems for the respective devices. Along with this, Apple is also rumoured to launch new MacBook models at the event.
Therefore, the company is planning to unveil several products, including the Reality headset, which is the first significant new Apple product category in nearly a decade. Additionally, a new xrOS operating system and software development kit, new MacBooks, iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 14, and a major watchOS 10 update.
Everything Apple will reveal at WWDC 2023
New MacBooks coming soon
In the opening keynote, Appl may announce a new series of Macbooks. Apple is working on several new MacBooks, including a 15-inch MacBook Air, an updated 13-inch MacBook Air, an “entry level” 13-inch MacBook Pro, an updated 24-inch iMac, the first Mac Pro with Apple Silicon chips, and updated high end MacBook Pros. Mac Studio updates are also on the way, but their timing is uncertain.
All of these new MacBooks are expected to arrive by the end of the year or at the latest, the beginning of next year. The Air from 15 may be announced on stage at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, but for others, we’ll have to wait. Apple hopes these new MacBooks will revive their struggling Mac sector, which saw a sales drop of over 40% year on year in the last quarter.
Regarding processors, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says it’s unlikely that an M3 processor will be announced in June. Recent test logs have shown unpublished MacBooks with eight core CPUs, four of which are high performance and four high efficiency, a 10-core graphics processor, and 8GB of memory.
New operating systems
The annual WWDC event from Apple is known for unveiling new “major releases” of their operating systems. People eagerly anticipate what’s in store for the iPhone and iPad, but this year, watchOS may steal the show with a significant update. According to Gurman, there will be a profound renewal for the Apple Watch operating system, with a major update that promises significant improvements, including an updated interface. Unfortunately, there’s not much information available yet on what these changes will entail.
Moving on to iOS and iPadOS, these updates will mainly focus on performance and stability, although there will be some exciting new features as well. Rumors suggest that the Control Center will see major changes, with a renewed and more customizable interface, active widgets, and improved search functionality. Additionally, the Dynamic Island will have more functions, and there will be important news for CarPlay and Accessibility. The latter will see screen elements replaceable lock and homescreen icons, as well as larger app icons. Overall, Apple fans have a lot to look forward to with these upcoming updates.
iOS 17
In 2022, there were significant changes made to the iPhone and iPad with the introduction of iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 software updates. Apple focused more on personalization in iOS 16, while iPadOS 16 aimed to improve multitasking with Stage Manager. However, these feature upgrades were accompanied by stability issues that many users reported.
Apple has dealt with such updates in the past by releasing tuneup versions, such as iOS 12. It’s focused on improving the overall user experience. We expect that iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 will take a similar route towards bug fixing and improving performance. However, Mark Gurman hinted that the updates will also bring user requested features in a tweet.
Initially, when Apple began developing iOS 17, the plan was to make it a tuneup release, similar to Snow Leopard on Mac OS X in 2009, which focused on fixing bugs and improving performance rather than adding new features. The hope was to avoid issues faced by iOS 16. It was ambitious but suffered from missed deadlines and a buggy start. However, the strategy changed later in the development process.
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The iOS 17 release, codenamed “Dawn,” is expected to have several “nice to have” features, although it may lack big improvements like last year’s revamped lock screen. The goal of the software is to address several of the most requested features by users.
macOS 14
In 2020, the macOS Big Sur (macOS 11) update brought about a visual overhaul of the operating system. This included a new transparent aesthetic applied to all windows and the introduction of new icons.
Ever since that update, every subsequent macOS update has been geared towards improving the productivity experience and delivering the seamless functionality that Apple is renowned for.
The current version of macOS, called macOS Ventura, has added some standout features. These include Stage Manager and Continuity Camera, along with Handoff for FaceTime. With the integration between Apple devices on display through the latter two features, we anticipate that the 2023 version upgrade will showcase even more of this integration.
Should Apple decide to incorporate user requested features into the Macs, we would like to see them expand on the widgets. This would enable users to pin these widgets onto the large canvas of their desktop, providing a more personalized experience.
watchOS 10 and tvOS 17
In the world of Apple’s operating platforms, we expect watchOS and tvOS to receive version upgrades. Like macOS, Apple treated these two platforms kindly in 2022. Users didn’t report many glitches, and Apple consistently added features to enhance the user experience.
Speaking of tvOS, the most recent addition to this platform is a feature that can dim flashing lights within a video sequence. This feature helps users deal with sudden fluctuations in brightness. Moreover, Apple Music Sing was introduced when tvOS 16.2 launched. We hope to see more unique features like these with tvOS 17.
As for watchOS, in 2022, Apple provided more fitness statistics to users with watchOS 9. This version also introduced hiking friendly features like waypoints. Additionally, the Apple Watch Ultra was launched. It’s a wearable more geared towards individuals who tackle the pinnacle of sporting experiences. Looking ahead to watchOS 10, we hope Apple develops its fitness statistics readouts more and improves sleep tracking by not limiting it to the window when Bedtime Mode is active.
A new iPad mini
In September 2021, Apple unveiled the sixth generation iPad mini. Now, there are talks of a seventh generation iPad mini, which may not have significant changes. The updates could likely be related to the processor and some technical details. Apple may announce its new features at WWDC 2023.
There haven’t been any concrete rumors about this yet. But it’s possible that the new iPad could be available by the end of 2023. Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst, suggests that Apple could start mass shipments of the seventh generation iPad in late 2023 or at the latest, in the first half of 2024.
Apple mixed-reality
Apple’s Reality headset is under development for a future beyond iPhones and iPads. The device will have a clear story for developers regarding its usage. And the weeklong conference will showcase the headset’s on-board App Store and accompanying tools.
Some executives at Apple believe that the device will have a slow start. But it has the potential to replace the iPhone eventually. However, the headset will not be available for sale for several months after its unveiling. This will give developers the time to create mixed reality apps and services.
Previously, Apple had planned to introduce the headset in March and release it publicly in September. However, with the debut now scheduled for June, there may be production hiccups that could slow down the process. Despite this, Apple is likely to release the headset in time for the holidays, and that should make them happy.
New retail stores
This week, Apple will open retail stores in India. The CEO, Tim Cook, will be there. Apple is opening a pair of stores in India during the same week, which is rare. The first store in the country is located at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai. And it will open on April 18. The second location is in the Saket area of New Delhi and will debut on April 20. Cook will be in attendance for both events.
India has become increasingly important to Apple. It has gained more status within Apple’s sales group. India is even taking over some production from China. The country of India is now one of Apple’s most important regions.
‘Just waiting on a new iMac with M3 !
Let’s go Timbo !!!