Apple announced last month that the company will conduct its 34th Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) during the week of June 5 to June 9, 2023. The event will commence with a keynote address on June 5, similar to the previous year’s conference. However, WWDC 2023 will be a virtual event, just like the 2022 conference, except for select developers and students invited to Apple Park to watch the keynote in person. Apple will broadcast the event on various platforms, including Apple.com, the Apple Developer website, Apple TV, and YouTube, for those who cannot get an invitation.
WWDC provides developers with the first peek into the new iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS updates, although Apple has not yet disclosed any specifics about this year’s conference. Speculation is rife about what hardware and software products Apple will unveil at its annual developer event. We are anticipating the announcement of iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 14, tvOS 17, and watchOS 10 at WWDC 2023. Additionally, rumors indicate that Apple might reveal its long-awaited AR/VR headset at the event. The official announcement for the forthcoming WWDC 2023 event provides more details about what we can expect during the conference.
Table of Contents
Hardware Announcements (expected)
AR/VR Headset
Rumors suggest that Apple will finally unveil their much-anticipated AR/VR headset at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). This move will allow developers to create apps and experiences for the device before its official launch later this year. The AR/VR headset is packed with some exciting features, including the option to switch between augmented and virtual reality modes using a Digital Crown-like control knob. It also has a lightweight and comfortable design with an Apple Watch-like band and mesh against the face. Additionally, the headset comes with the option for prescription lenses.
Other notable features include 4K micro-OLED displays and powerful Apple silicon chips that are the same as the ones used in the Mac. It runs an all new xrOS operating system with the ability to run iPhone and iPad apps, a dedicated App Store, and a tuned-up FaceTime experience.
The AR/VR headset also has a dozen+ cameras that can read facial expressions, detect body movements, and map the surrounding areas. It comes with a gesture-based control method, eliminating the need for a physical controller. And for authentication, it has an iris-scanning feature.
Apple’s AR/VR headset is highly anticipated, and the company is sure to generate a lot of excitement with its WWDC unveiling.
New Mac Pro & MacBook Air
According to reports, Apple is preparing to launch a revised version of the Mac Pro, powered by an Apple silicon chip, with the announcement possibly taking place during WWDC. Although there won’t be any major modifications to the Mac Pro’s design, as most of the improvements will be concentrated on transitioning to the new Apple silicon.
Furthermore, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has proposed that Apple might also introduce a new 15-inch MacBook Air, in addition to the updated Mac Pro. Gurman has claimed that Apple is developing a larger 15-inch MacBook Air, an updated 13-inch MacBook Air, and a new 13-inch MacBook Pro, with some of these models expected to be revealed at WWDC.
Software Announcements (expected)
Apple is set to launch several new operating systems at WWDC, including iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 14, tvOS 17, and watchOS 10. After the keynote event, developers will have access to previews of these operating systems to enable them to create applications that utilize the latest features, which will be available to the public in the fall.
The upcoming iOS 17 is anticipated to contain a variety of minor quality-of-life improvements that customers have been requesting, rather than a significant headline feature. While rumors suggest that it will feature some of the “most requested features,” the specifics of these have not yet been revealed.
While the upgrade is expected to include integration with the AR/VR headset and an enhanced CarPlay, it will not be as comprehensive as previous updates since Apple is focused on making major changes to the App Store to allow sideloading on European devices. This change is necessary to comply with new European Union regulations, and it will require various updates to the operating system, taking up some of the development resources that would usually be used to introduce new features.
