Apple’s mixed reality headset, which has been long anticipated, won’t just be announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Mark Gurman of a Bloomberg has published an overview of the WWDC. New MacBooks and a major update to Apple Watch watchOS are expected.
Let’s begin with Macs. Gurman does not specify which macOS-powered Apple computers it could announce in early June. However, he lists about half a dozen devices that Apple currently plans to release either this year or by the beginning of 2024. The new MacBook Pros include a 13-inch MacBook Air and a new 15″ MacBook Air. There are also new 13″ and “high-end MacBook Pros”. Apple is still working on replacing its Mac Pro with Apple Silicon. It also plans to update its 24-inch all-in one iMac.
A “major” new WatchOS update
Bloomberg reports that “at the very least, some of these new laptops will be on display”. It’s bad news that none of the new laptops will run Apple M3 chips. Instead, they will ship with processors from Apple’s M2-era. Apple also has two new Mac Studio computers under development. Bloomberg, however, is not clear when these could be released.
On the software front, which has traditionally been WWDC’s focus, watchOS is reportedly getting a major update, including a new interface. We could also be in for some quieter times on the OS front, as iOS, iPadOS and macOS will not receive any major updates. Gurman says that work is being done to enable sideloading for iOS in order to comply with the upcoming EU legislation.
Apple’s new mixed-reality headset,, is expected to provide a blend of virtual and augmented reality. Apple is expected to make a pitch to developers at its WWDC keynote for software to be developed for the headset. The device will reportedly run a new Apple OS called xrOS and is called “Reality Pro.” According to Bloomberg,, the headset would include advanced features such as hand tracking and eye-tracking. It will also support digital avatars for FaceTime calls and have a digital crown which allows the headset to switch between AR/VR. The headset is expected to cost around $3,000 and provide two hours of battery power via a tethered charger that wearers can put in their pockets.
According to , Bloomberg, WWDC 2023 may end up being Apple’s “largest product launch event ever.”
