What to expect at WWDC 2023: iOS 17, Reality Pro and more
By ForGeeks WWDC 2023 is just one day away, and it could be Apple’s biggest and most important event in a decade. At WWDC this year, Apple is expected to unveil a major update for iPhone users – iOS 17 and an updated interface for Apple Watch users – watchOS 10. However, the most notable event will be the announcement of the Reality Pro headset with AR and VR functions, as well as the new xrOS software platform.
When is WWDC 2023?
WWDC 2023 will begin on Monday, June 5. Apple will open the week-long event with a special keynote address on June 5 at 8 p.m. PT (10 a.m. Pacific Time). During this keynote, Apple will announce major updates to the iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch. The company is also expected to unveil the Reality Pro headset and the xrOS software platform.
The WWDC 2023 keynote is expected to be a pre-recorded video with beautiful Apple Park footage and speeches from several Apple executives and engineers. This year’s WWDC 2023 includes an in-person event for developers and members of the press. Developers will be able to attend Monday’s keynote, take tours of Apple Park and attend special sessions focused on Apple announcements.
Apple will also announce the winners of the Apple Design Awards on June 5, and Apple will hold a Platforms State of the Union event after the keynote to provide more details about Apple’s announcements. There will also be a special evening event that Apple says attendees «ll not want to miss».
How to watch WWDC 2023 from home
For those who can’t attend Apple Park, Apple will broadcast the entire WWDC live on multiple channels. You’ll be able to follow WWDC via Apple’s website, the Apple Developer App, the Apple TV app, and YouTube. That means you can watch from any device, including your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.
The keynote will be available to watch on the Apple Developer App and website at 1:30 p.m. PT. Apple will also broadcast the Apple Design Awards live on June 5 at 6:30 p.m. PT.
Of course, the broadcast will be in English. If you want to learn all about Apple’s WWDC 2023 presentation in Russian, we’ll have a text broadcast at itzine.ru
What to expect at WWDC 2023: iOS 17
First and foremost, Apple will announce iOS 17 at this year’s WWDC, which will be the annual major update for iPhone users, bringing new features, changes, bug fixes, and more.
So what’s new in iOS 17? Here’s what the rumors are saying.
- A brand new Journaling app: The app is rumored to be integrated with Apple’s Find My app to create a «smart» diary app that will combine a number of different location-based features.
- New «smart display» mode: For the iPhone 14 Pro series, Apple is planning new features for the always-on display. iOS 17 will reportedly include a new horizontal interface for the always-on lock screen, which will be able to display things like calendar appointments, weather forecasts and notifications.
- New features in the «Health» app: Apple will reportedly add new mood and emotion tracking features in iOS 17. They will allow users to log their moods daily, answer specific questions about each day and track results over time. The «Health» app will also supposedly get new features to manage vision, such as the ability to store information about prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses.
- Side app stores: In response to regulatory pressure in the European Union, Apple is preparing to open the iPhone to third-party app stores and side loading for the first time. This will allow iPhone users to install apps from sources other than Apple’s own app store. These features are rumored to be part of iOS 17, but will only be available in the European Union.
- Wallet app updates: According to Bloomberg, Apple is preparing «significant» changes to the Wallet app as part of iOS 17. One of those changes will reportedly be a new feature that will allow you to track balances on various credit cards in the Wallet app. Currently, the Wallet app only allows you to track your Apple Card balances.
- AirPlay and SharePlay: Apple is also working to improve SharePlay in iOS 17. The company is also working on extending AirPlay to more places, including hotels.
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In addition to what has been rumored, Apple is probably preparing other new features for iOS 17. As a rule, the company manages to prevent leaks about most of its software products. That means there’s always an element of surprise during major WWDC events as Apple announces new features and changes.
iPadOS 17For iPad users, Apple will announce iPadOS 17 at this year’s WWDC. At this point, rumors about what to expect from iPadOS 17 are pretty scarce. The most concrete rumor we’ve heard so far comes from Bloomberg, which reports that iPadOS 17 will include the «Health» app. This will be the first time Apple will expand the «Health» app beyond the iPhone.
There are several other features that seem plausible for iPadOS 17 this year. First and foremost, we expect Apple to bring the lock screen customization options that first appeared on the iPhone in iOS 16 to the iPad this year. We may also see the «Journal» app from iOS 17 come to the iPad in iPadOS 17.
macOS 14
As with iPadOS 17, there aren’t many rumors about what will be introduced in macOS 14 this year. The update will probably include some new iOS 17 features, such as integration with the new Journaling app and access to the new Find My features.
The update will likely include some new iOS 17 features, such as integration with the new Journaling app and access to the new Find My features.
watchOS 10
Apple will be announcing watchOS 10 for the Apple Watch at WWDC 2023. This is expected to be a major update with an all-new user interface for the Apple Watch. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, watchOS 10 will be «a fairly extensive update» focusing on «notable changes to the user interface».
The key element of the new design will be a new emphasis on widgets. watchOS 10 will reportedly use widgets as the «centerpiece» of Apple Watch software. According to rumors, the new design will be similar to «widget stacks», a feature on the iPhone and iPad that allows users to stack multiple widgets on top of each other and scroll through them.
According to Bloomberg, Apple Watch users will be able to scroll through widgets for things like activity tracking, weather, stocks, calendar appointments and more. The new interface will «be available as an overlay for any watch face».
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Apple’s emphasis on widgets could lead to new functionality for the Digital Crown hardware on the Apple Watch. In the current version of watchOS, tapping on the Digital Crown takes you to the Apple Watch home screen. However, in watchOS 10, Apple is testing the ability to open a new widget interface when you tap the Digital Crown.
WatchOS 10 is also expected to include updated versions of Apple’s stock apps that will better take advantage of the Apple Watch Ultra’s larger display. One such app that will get a new design will be the «Weather» app. Reportedly, the new «Weather» app in watchOS 10 will have a design similar to the «Weather» app on iPhone, iPad and Mac.
In addition to widgets, watchOS 10 will likely include many new features from iOS 17. For example, features such as mood and emotion tracking in Health and the Journaling app will likely be integrated into watchOS 10.
In addition to widgets, watchOS 10 will likely include many new features from iOS 17.
tvOS 17 for Apple TV and HomePod
The rumors about what to expect for Apple TV and HomePod users at WWDC this year have not been confirmed. tvOS 17 will be the latest software version for Apple TV users, and HomePod Software Version 17 will be available for HomePod and HomePod mini.
This is why the 15-inch MacBook Air will be a good addition to the Mac lineup.
15-inch MacBook Air
When it comes to new hardware at WWDC, Apple is expected to unveil a new 15-inch MacBook Air. Currently, the MacBook Air is only available in one screen size option — 13.6 inches, and this will be the first time Apple will offer a version of its most popular laptop with a larger screen.
According to Bloomberg, the screen resolution of the 15-inch MacBook Air is identical to the 14-inch MacBook Pro. That means the clarity of the display will be slightly lower than the 14-inch MacBook Pro, since the same resolution stretches to 15 inches.
As for performance, the 15-inch MacBook Air is expected to use Apple’s M2 processor and deliver performance «on par»with current M2-based Mac models.
The exact price of the 15-inch MacBook Air is unknown. However, given the $500 price difference between the base 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, we expect the 15-inch MacBook Air to cost $500 more than the 13-inch M2 model. Thus, the expected price of the 15-inch MacBook Air will be around $1799.
The 15-inch MacBook Air will be around $1799.
New Mac StudioOne of the latest rumors to emerge from WWDC says that Apple is preparing new versions of the Mac Studio with upgraded processors inside. According to Bloomberg, Apple is preparing two new Mac desktops with M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips inside.
Apple is testing two Mac models codenamed «Mac 14,13» and «Mac 14,14» that are supposedly new versions of the Mac Studio. The M2 Max has a 12-core CPU and a 30-core GPU with support for up to 96GB of RAM, the M2 Ultra will double all those features. The new chip will be available with a 24-core CPU, 60-core GPU and up to 192GB of RAM. The more powerful M2 Ultra version features a 76-core GPU.
This will be the first Mac desktop with the M2 Max inside, which is currently only available in the MacBook Pro. It will also be the first time we’ll see a Mac with the M2 Ultra chip.
Apple Reality Pro and xrOS
And last, but certainly not least, all indications are that Apple will unveil its long-awaited Reality Pro headset at WWDC 2023. This headset will feature mixed and augmented reality capabilities as well as ultra-high specs and hardware.
The first Reality Pro headset from Apple is expected to be an ultra-premium product priced around $3,000. It will have the highest specs, including «an innovative three-display» configuration with two 4K Micro-LED panels. Apple is also currently working on a more affordable headset, but it’s not expected to be ready for mass production until at least 2025.
The headset will reportedly run on xrOS, which Apple stands for «augmented reality». The software platform will support a wide range of features, including FaceTime, content consumption, games, the ability to create virtual worlds and rooms, and more.
The headset will be based on xrOS.
The Reality Pro headset will allow users to switch between AR and VR modes, and the feature will become an integral part of the xrOS software. VR mode in xrOS will provide a deeply immersive experience. By turning a toggle switch similar to a digital crown on the headset itself, xrOS will gradually switch to AR mode so that users can see the world around them.
The Reality Pro headset will allow xrOS to switch between AR and VR mode.
At this year’s WWDC, Apple will hold a number of sessions and workshops for developers to broaden their understanding of xrOS. These will include topics such as creating apps for the headset, strategies for porting apps from other platforms to the headset, design tips for creating compelling virtual reality experiences, and more.
Although Apple will announce the new headset and xrOS at WWDC 2023, it’s not expected to be available for purchase until later this year. However, press and developers attending WWDC will reportedly have a chance to try out the product.
Total
As you can see, WWDC 2023 is shaping up to be a massive event for Apple. The event will feature not only annual software updates for existing Apple devices, but also Apple’s first new software platform since the release of the Apple Watch in 2014.
In addition to the annual software updates for existing Apple devices, the event will also feature Apple’s first new software platform since the release of the Apple Watch in 2014.
Watch itzine.ru for comprehensive information about the event. We’ll also be covering WWDC 2023 throughout the week. What would you most like to see at WWDC 2023? Let us know in the comments below.
