WWDC 2023: Here’s everything to expect at Apple’s special event this year

We are days away from WWDC 2023, and it could be Apple’s biggest and most important event in a decade. At WWDC this year, Apple is expected to introduce a major update for iPhone users with iOS 17 and a redesigned interface for Apple Watch users with watchOS 10. However, the highlight is the expected announcement of the Reality Pro headset with AR and VR features, as well as a system New basic for xrOS.

When is WWDC 2023?

WWDC 2023 will begin on Monday, June 5th. Apple will open the week-long event with a special keynote on June 5 at 10am PT / 1pm ET. During this keynote, Apple will announce major updates for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. It will also unveil the Reality Pro headset and xrOS software platform.

The main show of WWDC 2023 is expected to be a high production value pre-recorded video, a beautiful video shoot of Apple Park, and appearances from many Apple executives and engineers.

This year’s WWDC 2023 includes an in-person component for developers and members of the press. Developers will have the opportunity to attend Monday’s keynote, take tours of Apple Park, and attend special sessions focused on Apple’s advertising.

Also on June 5, Apple will announce the winners of the Apple Design Awards, and has already announced the list of finalists for this year’s celebrations. After the keynote, Apple will also hold a State of the Union platform, which will provide more in-depth details about Apple’s announcements. There will also be a special evening activity that Apple says attendees “won’t want to miss.”

How to watch WWDC 2023 from home

For those who didn’t show up at Apple Park, Apple will broadcast all of WWDC across multiple channels. You’ll be able to tune in to the WWDC keynote via the Apple website, the Apple Developer app, the Apple TV app, and YouTube. This means that you can watch across any device you may have, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.

The State of the Union platforms will be available to view via the Apple Developer app and website at 1:30 PM PT / 4:30 PM ET. Apple will also broadcast the Apple Design Awards on June 5 at 6:30 PM PT / 9:30 PM ET.

What to expect at WWDC 2023: iOS 17

First of all, Apple will announce iOS 17 at WWDC this year. This will be the annual major update for iPhone users, bringing new features, changes, bug fixes, and more. So what’s in the docket for the new iOS 17 features? That’s what the rumors say.

The all-new Journaling app: This app will be combined with Apple’s Find My app to create a “smart” journaling app that integrates a number of different location-based features.

New Smart View modeFor the iPhone 14 Pro series, Apple is planning new features for the always-on display. iOS 17 will reportedly include a new landscape interface for the always-on lock screen that can display things like calendar appointments, weather forecasts, and notifications.

New Health app featuresWith iOS 17, Apple will reportedly add new mood and emotion tracking features. This will allow users to log their moods on a daily basis, answer specific questions about each day, and track results over time. The Health app will also allegedly gain new features for managing vision conditions, such as the ability to store contact information and eyeglasses.

Side-loading and third-party app storesIn response to regulatory pressure in the European Union, Apple is preparing to open iPhone to third-party app stores and sideload for the first time. This will allow iPhone users to install apps from sources other than Apple’s App Store. It is rumored that these features will be included as part of iOS 17 but they will only be available in the European Union.

Upgrades to the Wallet app: According bloombergApple is making “big” changes to the Wallet app as part of iOS 17. No further details are available about what these changes involve yet.

AirPlay and SharePlay: Apple is also working on improvements to SharePlay as part of iOS 17. The company is also working on expanding AirPlay to more places, including hotels.

Other than what has been rumored, Apple likely has other new iOS 17 features in the works. The company is generally very good at keeping most of the details of its software from being leaked. This means that there is always an element of surprise during keynotes at WWDC where Apple announces new features and changes.

Learn more about iOS 17 in our complete guide.

iPadOS 17

For iPad users, Apple will announce iPadOS 17 at WWDC this year. As it stands right now, the rumors about what to expect from iPadOS 17 are pretty light. The most concrete rumor we’ve heard so far has come from bloomberg, which indicates that iPadOS 17 will include the Health app. This will be the first time Apple has expanded the Health app beyond the iPhone.

There are a few other features that make sense for iPadOS 17 this year. Notably, we expect Apple to bring the Lock Screen customization options, which first appeared on the iPhone as part of iOS 16, to the iPad this year. We may also see the Journaling app for iOS 17 come to iPad with iPadOS 17.

macOS 14

Similar to iPadOS 17, there aren’t many rumors at all about what’s coming as part of macOS 14 this year. The update will likely include some new features from iOS 17, like some sort of integration with the new Journaling app and access to the new Find My features.

watchOS 10

Then at WWDC 2023, Apple will announce watchOS 10 for the Apple Watch. This is expected to be a major update with a completely new user interface for the Apple Watch. according to bloombergMark Gurman, watchOS 10 will be a “fairly comprehensive upgrade” that focuses on “notable changes to the user interface.”

Key to this new design will be a new focus on tools. watchOS 10 will reportedly use widgets as a “central part” of the Apple Watch software experience. According to rumors, the new design will be similar to “widget stacks,” a feature on the iPhone and iPad that allows users to stack several 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 of any watch face.”

Apple’s focus on gadgets may include new hardware functionality for the Digital Crown on the Apple Watch. In the current version of watchOS, pressing the Digital Crown takes you to the Apple Watch home screen. However, in watchOS 10, Apple is testing having the Digital Crown open the new widgets interface instead.

Outside of widgets, watchOS 10 will likely include several new features of iOS 17 as well. For example, features like tracking moods and emotions in Health and the Journaling app will likely have some kind of watchOS 10 integration.

Learn more about watchOS 10 in our complete guide.

tvOS 17 for Apple TV and HomePod

There are no rumors about what Apple TV and HomePod users can expect at WWDC this year. tvOS 17 will be the latest software for Apple TV users, while HomePod software version 17 will be available for HomePod and HomePod mini.

The 15-inch MacBook Air

In terms of new devices at WWDC, Apple is expected to introduce a new 15-inch MacBook Air. Currently, the MacBook Air is only available in a single 13.6-inch screen size option, and this will be the first time that Apple has introduced a larger screen version of its most popular laptop.

according to bloombergThe 15-inch MacBook Air has a screen resolution similar to the 14-inch MacBook Pro. This means that the screen will be slightly less sharp than the 14-inch MacBook Pro since the same resolution is extended to 15-inches.

In terms of performance, the 15-inch MacBook Air is expected to use Apple’s M2 processor and deliver performance “on par” with the current crop of M2-powered Macs.

The exact price of the 15-inch MacBook Air is unknown. However, given the $500 price difference between the base 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, we expect the 15-inch MacBook Air to carry a $500 price premium over the 13-inch M2 model. This would put the expected price of the 15-inch MacBook Air at around $1,799.

Apple Reality Pro and xrOS

Last but not least, all signs point to Apple introducing the much-anticipated Reality Pro headset at WWDC 2023. This headset will offer mixed reality and augmented reality capabilities and feature superior specifications and hardware.

Apple’s first Reality Pro headset is expected to be a premium product with a price tag of around $3,000. It will feature the highest specifications, including an “innovative three-screen configuration” with two 4K Micro-LED panels. Apple is also currently working on a more affordable headphone product, but it’s not expected to be ready for mass production until at least 2025.

The headset will reportedly be powered by xrOS, which is said to stand for “Extended Reality” within Apple. The software platform will support a wide range of features, including FaceTime, content consumption, gaming, the ability to build virtual worlds and rooms, and much more.

The Reality Pro headset will allow users to switch between AR and VR modes, a feature that will be an integral part of xrOS software. VR mode on xrOS will provide a fully immersive experience. By rotating the Digital Crown-like toggle on the headset itself, xrOS will gradually transition into AR mode so users can see the world around them.

At this year’s WWDC, Apple will hold a number of sessions and workshops for developers to broaden their understanding of xrOS. This includes topics such as creating apps for the headset, strategies for porting apps from other platforms to the headset, design guidelines for a compelling virtual reality experience, and more.

But even though Apple will announce its new headphones and xrOS at WWDC 2023, they aren’t expected to be available for purchase until later this year.

Learn more about xrOS in our complete guide.

It is contained

As you can see, WWDC 2023 is shaping up to be a huge event for Apple. Not only will the event include annual software updates for existing Apple updates, but it will also introduce Apple’s first new software platform since the Apple Watch in 2014.

Keep it locked on 9to5Mac For comprehensive pre-event coverage. We’ll also be on site at WWDC 2023 all week. What are you most excited to see at WWDC 2023? Let us know in the comments below.

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