WWDC 2023 in early June: what to expect
With less than a month left until Apple’s 2023 WWDC keynote event on Monday, we’re here with a forecast of what to expect, with the AR/VR headset starring in the show. Here’s a quick projection of what we may see in real life very soon.
Mixed Reality Headset
The anticipated mixed reality headset, possibly called the "Reality Pro" or "Reality One," is the first new product category for Apple since 2015, when the Apple Watch was launched. Apple's second wearable device is rumored to be packed with trailblazing features.
• Sony-s dual 4K micro-OLED displays for total resolution of 8K and a display quality that transcends that of all other competing products.
• Dozens of cameras will map the environment around the user and monitor facial expressions, hand gestures, and leg movement.
• Iris scanning will be utilized for user authentication.
• Facial expression tracking to relay the user’s facial expression to their avatar in virtual chats and calls.
• AR and VR capabilities, where users will be able to swap between the two using a Digital Crown-like knob. AR will work through the cameras to map the immediate environment, superimposing virtual objects on the image of the real world, while VR is entirely virtual and is completely disconnected from the environment.
• The headset is controlled by hand gestures that are identified by the cameras.
• Mac-level M2 chips to handle all processing. Apple may use one high-end main processor, augmenting it with another lower-end processor that manages device sensors.
• No built-in battery; instead, the battery will be attached to the headset via a cord and worn in a waist pouch. Battery life will be around two hours.
• The headset is expected to be thin, lighter than its competitors because the battery won’t be built-in.
• Air typing will be supported, so that users will be able to input text without a physical keyboard; there will also be an iPhone text input option.
• The headset’s operating system, xrOS, will comprise Apple’s VR-optimized apps specifically focused on various media use, gaming, fitness and video conferencing. The company will work with third-party app developers and gaming companies to enhance app experiences.
• The Apple headset will be capable of running apps designed for the iPad in a 3D environment, as well as watching Netflix and YouTube, among other content provider platforms.
• Built-in prescription lenses will be an option.
iOS 17
iOS 17 won't be a large-scale update of its predecessor, but is more likely to bring in new highly requested features, such as.
• Dedicated journaling app.
• Updated Control Center dashboard.
• Added functions in the Dynamic Island.
• Additional interactive widgets.
• Improved search functionality.
• An expansion of the Health to expand to the iPad.
• New mood tracking feature in the Health app.
• Vision tracking in the Health app.
• Lock Screen alterations, adjustments to font size and a sharing option for Lock Screen designs.
• Possible support for lyrics on the Apple Music Lock Screen interface.
• App Library folders may get manual adjustment options.
• More intuitive Wallet app.
• Improved Find My function.
• App sideloading support (in Europe).
Some of these features (i.e., mood tracking and journaling app) were rumored by more relizble sources, others (i.e., Dynamic Island alterations and widgets) are from sources that are less established.
watchOS 10
Apple Watch hardware may not be receiving a major overhaul this year, but watchOS10 will be getting noteworthy new features, becoming the biggest update to the OS in years.
• The updated widget system will allow users to find vital information on the Apple Watch without the need to open an app, simply scrolling through the widgets.
• Digital Crown and other buttons may become more customizable, enabling users to press in order to open up the widgets interface instead of the Home Screen.
• The Apple Watch Home Screen may be somehow overhauled, towards a more intuitive layout than the app grid.
15-Inch MacBook Air
A bigger MacBook Air is finally expected to arrive in 2023.
• An approximately 15.5” display.
• Similar design and set of features to the current M2 MacBook Air.
• M2 chips, likely with 8-core and 10-core GPU variants. M3 chips are not anticipated.
macOS 14 and tvOS 17
macOS 14 is to be replaced by macOS Ventura, but there is not much information as to the specific updated features. Headset support is practically a given, and Mac updates often follow those on the iPhone, so we are fairly positive that the anticipated journaling app will be available on both.
The Find My updates, and improvements to Siri and Search features are also likely to appear on the Mac.
As for tvOS 17, the updates are will probably only include new screensavers and a few minor tweaks.
Other Possibilities
Users are eagerly awaiting new AirPods models with USB-C and the Mac Pro, but the Mac Pro is a highly unlikely candidate for WWDC, and no AirPods updates have been rumored for the summer.
There will probably be new case options for both the iPhone and the iPad, as well as revised Apple Watch bands, all in optimistic summer hues.