Apple’s 34th annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2023) is shaping up to be one of the company’s most exciting events in years. Alongside major software announcements, Apple is widely expected to unveil its first entirely new product category since the Apple Watch — a mixed reality AR/VR headset. New Macs, major updates to iOS 17 and watchOS 10, and several ecosystem improvements are also anticipated.
AR/VR Headset
The biggest announcement expected at WWDC 2023 is Apple’s long-rumored AR/VR headset. After years of development and delays, Apple is finally expected to reveal the device, although availability may come later in the year.
The headset is rumored to feature a lightweight premium design made from aluminum, glass, and carbon fiber, with an external battery pack connected via USB-C to reduce weight. Apple is reportedly targeting around 200 grams, making it lighter than most competing VR headsets.
Rumored Features
-
Dual 4K microOLED displays
-
Up to 5,000 nits brightness
-
4,000 pixels per inch
-
120-degree field of view
-
More than a dozen cameras and sensors
-
Hand, eye, facial, and body tracking
-
Iris scanning authentication
-
Digital Crown-style control for switching between AR and VR
-
Two M2-class chips
-
External swappable battery pack
-
Air-typing and gesture controls
-
Dedicated operating system called xrOS
Apple is also expected to focus heavily on media, gaming, FaceTime, fitness, and immersive productivity experiences.
15-Inch MacBook Air
Apple is expected to introduce a larger version of the MacBook Air with a 15.5-inch display. The laptop will likely maintain the same thin design and feature set as the current M2 MacBook Air, simply scaled up for users who prefer larger screens.
Expected Features
-
15.5-inch display
-
M2 chip options
-
Similar design to the 13-inch MacBook Air
-
Fanless architecture
-
Thin and lightweight build
The new model is not expected to include higher-end MacBook Pro features like ProMotion or mini-LED.
Updated Mac Studio
A refreshed Mac Studio may also debut at WWDC with upgraded M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips. The design is expected to remain mostly unchanged, with the main improvements focused on performance.
Software Announcements
iOS 17
iOS 17 is expected to focus on refinement and quality-of-life improvements rather than a dramatic redesign. Several highly requested features are rumored to arrive.
Rumored Features
-
Smart home-style Lock Screen display while charging
-
New journaling app
-
Mood tracking in Health
-
Improvements to Find My and SharePlay
-
Dynamic Island enhancements
-
Redesigned Control Center
-
Health app expansion to iPad
-
Accessibility improvements
-
Support for app sideloading in Europe
-
Better performance and stability
Apple may also continue expanding Lock Screen customization introduced in iOS 16.
xrOS
The new AR/VR headset will run its own operating system, reportedly called xrOS.
Expected Features
-
iOS-inspired interface
-
Hand and eye gesture controls
-
Support for iPad apps in 3D environments
-
Optimized Apple apps like Safari, Maps, Photos, and FaceTime
-
FaceTime avatars
-
Gaming and media-focused experiences
-
Deep integration with iPhone, iPad, and Mac
Apple is also expected to provide developers with extensive tools for creating immersive apps and games.
macOS 14
Very little is known about macOS 14 so far, but Apple is expected to continue improving continuity between devices and expand features arriving in iOS 17.
Possible additions include:
-
Journaling app support
-
SharePlay improvements
-
Find My updates
-
Additional cross-platform features
Apple will also reveal the new California-inspired name for macOS 14 during the keynote.
watchOS 10
watchOS 10 is rumored to be one of the biggest Apple Watch software updates in years.
Expected Changes
-
Major interface redesign
-
Strong focus on widgets
-
New widget stack system
-
Faster access to glanceable information
-
Possible customization for Digital Crown and side button behavior
-
Reduced emphasis on opening full apps
Apple is reportedly aiming to make the Apple Watch experience more interactive and information-focused.
tvOS 17 and HomePod Software 17
Apple will likely announce updates for tvOS and HomePod software as well, though details remain limited and these platforms are expected to receive smaller changes.
Additional Possibilities
Apple could also announce:
-
New Apple Watch bands
-
New iPhone and iPad case colors
-
Wider rollout of Apple Pay Later
WWDC 2023 Timing
Apple’s keynote takes place on June 5 and will be streamed online through:
-
Apple’s website
-
YouTube
-
Apple TV app
-
Apple Developer app
Developer betas for iOS 17, macOS 14, watchOS 10, and other software updates are expected immediately after the keynote.
The AR/VR headset may be previewed at WWDC but likely won’t launch until later in the year.