Apple announced the WWDC 2023 dates final week, so we already know when iOS 17, watchOS 10, and macOS 14 bulletins will drop. However this yr is completely different for Apple. The June fifth keynote can even function Apple’s first-gen blended actuality headset and its working system. That’s Apple’s precedence proper now, regardless of the rumored launch delays.
A brand new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says that the AR/VR headset will probably be unveiled at WWDC. However Gurman additionally addressed Apple’s different working methods. In line with him, watchOS 10 ought to ship an in depth improve that includes “notable adjustments” to the person interface. That already sounds extra thrilling than the iOS 17 improve, which ought to give attention to efficiency enhancements relatively than new options.
Gurman stated in his Power On newsletter that the June fifth WWDC 2023 keynote will probably be “one of the crucial importat days in its historical past:”
The headset will probably be a dangerous, however doubtlessly monumental launch for Apple. It should herald blended actuality as its subsequent main product class, providing a glimpse of a future the place persons are interacting with the world by way of headsets and never pocketable contact screens.
Just lately, Ming-Chi Kuo detailed novel product delays for the blended actuality headset, prompting hypothesis that Apple might delay the announcement event. Nevertheless, Gurman’s new report appears to go away no room for interpretation. The AR/VR headset will probably be Apple’s predominant precedence at WWDC in early June.
Earlier studies stated that Apple devoted large sources to the blended actuality headset, which might clarify the much less thrilling upgrades for working methods like iOS 17. iOS will nonetheless be the star of the present, however the OS replace is not going to ship any main iPhone options this yr.
watchOS 10 will probably be extra thrilling, based on Gurman. The Apple Watch OS will ship huge adjustments to the person interface, though the Apple insider did not detail them:
I consider the brand new watchOS must be a reasonably intensive improve — with notable adjustments to the person interface — in contrast to iOS 17. It’s essential for watchOS to have an enormous yr provided that the Apple Watch {hardware} updates will probably be something however main.
The watchOS 10 person interface overhaul ought to compensate for a lackluster {hardware} refresh this yr. Certainly, Apple isn’t anticipated to ship an Apple Watch Extremely 2 improve. The Apple Watch Sequence 9 may very well be a minor improve over final yr’s mannequin.
In the meantime, the iPhone 15 Professional improve goes to be important, particularly the 15 Professional Max mannequin. This is able to clarify the more muted iOS 17 release.
If this info is correct, and Gurman’s studies often are, it additional underscores the significance of Apple’s AR/VR headset. Different studies stated Apple had prioritized the brand new product, anticipating much less fascinating software program developments for Apple’s different merchandise this yr.
