Apple’s headset has arrived. Apple’s mixed-reality headset, the Vision Pro was unveiled at WWDC 2023. It is the first new platform Apple has released in many years. Tim Cook stated that the device is a “mixed-reality headset” which uses your hands, eyes and voice to switch between virtual and augmented realities.
The event included new releases of major hardware for the Mac Pro, Mac Studio and the new 15-inch MacBook Air. Apple used the event as a platform to announce updates to many of its apps and operating systems, including iOS and iPadOS.
We’ve got the highlights of the keynote presentation for you. In just over 25 minutes this video will take you through all the important details. Or, scroll down to see every update about the event.
Five minutes after Google’s I/O Conference in May, Verge employees began placing bets as to how many times the term “AI” would appear onstage. Sundar Pichai was threatening to give a cattle prod if any presenter didn’t mention it at least one time. We stopped betting in the end and created a supercut. The book was a bit different when it came to WWDC. Would Apple mention “AI ” even once ? As it turns out, not once.
It was always referred to as “machine-learning” — which is a much more accurate and sedate description. Many in the industry will agree that “artificial intelligent” is a term to be avoided. It’s vague and overdetermined. It’s more like a sci-fi story than a real tech. In a interview, Ted Chiang summed it up well: What is artificial intelligence? “A poor choice in 1954.”
Apple announced on its iOS 17 preview site that the upcoming iOS 17 update would add daily crosswords to the Apple News App, but only for News Plus members. Crosswords may make News Plus more appealing to subscribers. Currently, News Plus is primarily a subscription service that offers access to digital publications and audio versions for some articles.
Apple News will be in a closer race with The New York Times now that it has crossword puzzles. Apple News will soon be able to access the NYT’s crossword puzzles. The NYT has its own crosswords that you can find in the NYT Games and main NYT apps. However, like the NYT, these crosswords are only available with a paid Apple News subscription. In the NYT apps you can also play free games such as the Wordle and the mini crossword.
Apple’s WWDC Keynote brought new Mac Pros and Mac Studio, as well as software updates for iOS, iPadOS and watchOS. There was even a “one thing more” moment. The 15″ MacBook Air is the most likely Apple product that people will buy.
Since Apple discontinued the 11-inch Air, it is now available in three distinct models and two sizes: a 13-inch version with Apple’s older M1 chip; a 13-inch variant with Apple’s more recent M2 processor; and a 15-inch version with an updated M2 processor. This new configuration will be available on June 13th, for $1,299 The MacBook Air lineup is the most crowded ever. Let us help you to sort through the differences so you can determine which laptop may be best for you.
Apple’s Communication Safety for iPhone, which was designed to prevent children from seeing nude images via iMessage, is now being extended to include adult users as well as video content and other forms of communication. The protections were announced during Monday’s WWDC event. They will be available with iOS 17, later this year. All image and video processing is done on the device to ensure that everything remains private, including from Apple.
Communication Security in Messages uses machine learning on the device to blur nude images before a child is able to view them. The expanded feature in iOS 17 will protect children against viewing or sharing nude photos via AirDrop. It also works with new Contact Posters and FaceTime messages. It can scan both video and still images for nudity. Apple has not confirmed whether this feature will apply to live video such as FaceTime calls. We’ve asked for clarification, and we will update this article if we receive a response.
