pple’s WWDC is an annual conference. It’s aimed at developers, but also routinely includes announcements us normal Apple fans can appreciate. 2023 is going to be a big year for these.
The show starts on June 5 and ends on June 9. But we will get to know about all the big new Apple gear coming at 6pm on June 5.
We anticipate Apple’s first virtual reality headset and a larger 15-inch version of the somewhat affordable MacBook Air line. We also expect a new Mac Pro family most of us almost certainly won’t be able to afford. Here’s a quick overview of what we think will be announced at Apple’s WWDC 2023.
Apple Reality Pro
The headline stealer of WWDC 2023 will be Apple’s VR headset. It’s reported to be called Reality Pro and run a new software platform called xrOS.
We don’t have many clues as to what you’ll be able to do with the thing yet, but we have heard hints about the hardware. Supply chain expert Ross Young says Reality Pro will effectively put an incredible 4K OLED display in front of each of your eyes.
It makes the PSVR 2 look unambitious, with up to four times the number of pixels to make up virtual worlds. And unlike a PSVR 2, the Apple Reality Pro is expected to have baked-in processors such as a Meta Quest 2 headset, meaning no trailing wires are required. It could be as powerful as an iMac or MacBook Pro.
Apple rumour generator Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says the Reality Pro will be announced at WWDC, but will start shipping later in the year. Its initial showing is in part to get more developers on-board. However, most of us may not be able to afford it anyway. Estimates of the Apple Reality Pro’s price extend as high as $3,000, which could equate to £2,700 or more in the UK.
Reality Pro is what’s known as a Mixed Reality headset, meaning it covers both virtual reality and augmented reality. Cameras on the headset are used to feed elements of the outside world into your view. If you’re waiting for a subtle AR headset that merely pastes information into your normal view of the world, this isn’t that. You’re waiting for the smartglasses concept to come good.
More recent reports have suggested that such smartglasses from Apple may have been kicked into the long grass. But this is still a fascinating first step into a whole new product category.
New Macs
Gurman also suggests, as has been rumoured for months, we’ll see new Mac models at WWDC.
The first is a new, larger 15-inch MacBook Air, which has long been tipped for a 2023 release. If it appears, it will likely be powered by the M2 or M2 Pro chipset.
The second rumoured new Mac is the Mac Pro — the only member of the Mac family that still runs on Intel chips. While this is Apple’s top-of-the-range desktop, it’s aimed at professionals rather than regular consumers. Prices currently start at £5,499 — despite it approaching its fourth birthday.
We’d expect a refreshed Mac Pro to come with Apple’s M2 Ultra chip — or something even more powerful — but whether it still keeps its ‘cheese grater’ design is up in the air.
Software updates aplenty
WWDC being a developer-focused event, the one thing that’s guaranteed is software updates — and plenty of them. Historically, Apple uses the event to introduce new software features and give developers beta access. As such, there’s plenty of compatible apps when the updates roll out to every customer.
That means we’ll get a first glimpse at the software powering the iPhone 15 — iOS 17. With reports of Apple finally allowing third-party app stores on to the iPhone thanks to EU legislation, this could be one to watch.
Apple’s other operating systems, including macOS and tvOS, are likely to get updates too, and those coming to watchOS 10 could prove especially noteworthy. Bloomberg’s Gurman has heard that it will include “notable changes to the user interface” for Apple Watch owners. That could be interesting, given past watchOS UI updates have been limited to watch faces and minor tweaks.
How to watch WWDC 2023
Apple has historically made WWDC events easy to watch from anywhere in the world — It will be no different this time. Apple has already posted the YouTube link that lets you live-stream the event.
The keynote starts at 10 P.T., in Apple Park, California. That’s 6pm in the UK.