Apple’s 33rd Annual World Developer Conference is set to begin on Monday, June 6 at 10:00 a.m. Similar to the events of 2020 and 2021, it will be held in digital capacity only, so it’s free for all developers from all over the world to attend.
The main event will give us a first look at new operating system updates, including iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, tvOS 16 and watchOS 9, plus rumors suggest we may see new hardware. Everything we heard about this year’s event is described below.
iOS 16
Most of the rumors about “iOS 16” are vague, so we currently know little about the operating system update. In recent years, new versions of iOS expired early and gave us an idea of the set of features to come, but this did not happen this year.
However, we’ve heard some rumors about what to expect, with much of the information coming from Bloomberg’s Mark Gourmet, who has reliable sources of information about Apple’s plans.
According to rumors, new features
- Mainly redesigned lock screen with wallpapers that have “widget-like features”.
- There will be “significant” improvements in the notices, although we do not know specific details.
- A messaging app with “social network-like functionality” with a specific focus on audio messaging.
- Health application with advanced functionality for sleep tracking and drug management. Apple is working on a tool that will allow consumers to scan their pill bottles in the app, plus new features for women’s health are expected.
- Apple’s new applications are in the works without any specific information.
- Apple is also working on “new ways for the system to interact,” but it’s not clear what that means.
- New types of workouts in Fitness +.
- A classic Apple Music app with a Primephonic-based interface, an app Apple acquired in 2021.
Possible features based on rumors for iPhone 14
- Always on display for iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max (only available in September).
- Probably an updated status bar interface for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max to fit the punch and pill design that is expected to replace the slot on these devices.
- The iPhone 14 is expected to receive a car crash detection feature that will automatically call emergency services in the event of a collision. This will require new iOS 16 functionality.
- Apple may also add an emergency satellite feature to the iPhone 14, which will be supported on iOS 16. This feature will allow iPhone to send emergency texts when there is no cellular coverage, and report major emergencies when coverage is not available.
- IOS 16 may include support for the purchase feature now, a payment later for Apple Pay that Apple is developing.
- Similarly, it may introduce support for the hardware subscription program, which will allow customers to pay a monthly fee for iPhone, iPad or Mac.
For more information on what to expect in iOS 16, we have a special review of iOS 16.
iPadOS 16
iPadOS 16 will get many of the new features introduced in iOS 16, but Apple is also working on additional functionality that is specific to iPad.
With the iPadOS 16, Apple aims to make the iPad behave more like a laptop than a smartphone, and the new iPad software will be one of the biggest updates announced at WWDC.
The update will include a redesigned multitasking interface that makes it easier to switch between tasks and see which apps are open, plus it will allow users to resize windows. Apple also plans to introduce new ways for users to handle multiple applications at once, in what sounds like a much more like a multitasking Mac experience.
macOS 13
We don’t know much about the feature set coming in macOS 13, as there were few leaks. It is said to include a redesigned interface for system preferences that will make it more in line with the “iPhone” and “iPad” Settings app, and the update includes individual settings organized by the app.
Apple is also expected to rework some of the default applications, so we can see improvements in messaging, mail, Safari and more. In particular, messaging is said to receive social networking-like functionality with audio messaging enhancements. This is a rumor about iOS 16, but Messages usually has parity of features between platforms.
In terms of naming, “macOS 13” could be macOS Mammoth, based on Apple’s trademark applications. Apple registered trademarks for many landmarks in California back in 2013, and Mammoth is the one that has been active for the longest time, although its status is unknown at the moment and Apple has chosen some names in the past that have never been in this list, so the name is uncertain.
watchOS 9
watchOS 9 will have some updates that affect the daily operation and navigation of the device worn on the wrist.
- Updated power saving mode that will allow the use of applications and features while reducing battery usage.
- Advanced atrial fibrillation detection with added “burden”, also known as how often a person is in atrial fibrillation for a certain period of time.
- Improved health and activity tracking.
- More types of training.
- Additional indicators for running training.
- Refresh for existing dials.
tvOS 16
tvOS doesn’t often get as many new features as other operating system updates, and we don’t know much about tvOS 16, but it’s said to include new smart home connections. You may be able to do more with your smart home products through Apple TV after the update launches.
Hardware capabilities
The last few WWDC events focused solely on software and did not involve hardware messaging, so it is not yet clear whether we will see hardware presented at this year’s event. If we do, the devices listed below are the most likely candidates.
MacBook Air
If Apple plans to introduce new Macs at the event, the MacBook Air is the device we’ll probably see, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gourmet. Apple is reportedly “aiming” to introduce the MacBook Air to the event, but COVID-related supply chain issues in China could prevent Apple from doing so.
The next-generation MacBook Air is expected to include a complete overhaul of the MacBook Pro-like design, which removes the pointed body. It will be thinner and lighter and is expected to be available in multiple colors, similar to the iMac. The MacBook Air is expected to have thin, almost white bezels and a suitable almost white keyboard, and can be about 13.6 inches in size.
The MacBook Air will likely be equipped with a next-generation M2 chip, which is expected to include the same number of computing cores as the M1 (eight), but will include speed improvements that make it slightly faster. It is also said to have improved graphics with nine out of 10 GPU cores, compared to seven or exactly in the current M1 MacBook Air.
The “M2” chip will be the first upgrade of the M1 series chips that Apple has used in Apple’s silicon devices to date. Although many rumors suggest that the MacBook Air will include the M2 chip, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple may focus on redesign rather than new chip technology.
He said next-generation TSMC N3 and N4P production processes will not be ready for mass production by 2023, so Apple will only be able to introduce an iterative update that is expected to use the same N5P chip used for the A15 and M1.
More about the next generation MacBook Air can be found in our 2022 MacBook Air Guide.
Mac Pro
As early as 2019, the redesigned modular Mac Pro was shown at WWDC before its release in late 2019, and we are likely to see a similar unveiling this year.
Apple Hardware Chief of Engineering John Ternus confirmed at the spring event that there is a silicone version of Apple’s Mac Mac Pro in the works and it is expected to appear at some point in 2022.
Apple might be able to give us a little preview of the Mac Mac before it launches later this year.
Rumor has it that the Mac Pro will feature a chip even more powerful than the M1 Ultra used in Mac Studio. It is expected to include up to 40 processor cores and 128 graphics cores, which will make it twice as powerful as the “M1 Ultra”.
Apple may introduce a successor, the 1M1 Ultra, which is actually two M1 Ultra чи chips connected together, as the M1 Ultra itself is essentially two connected M1 Max chips. If this is the case, the upcoming “Mac Pro” chip will be four times more powerful than the “M1 Max”.
AR / VR headphones?
Last year, there were rumors that long-standing rumors about Apple’s AR / VR headphones could be presented at the World Developers Conference in 2022, but it seems that this will not happen.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gourmet and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the headphones were simply not ready to be unveiled at the moment, as Apple still has breakages to fix. Kuo believes Apple will release the headset in 2023, and Gourmet said Apple has no plans to “fully announce” the WWDC headset.
However, the trademark for “realityOS”, the headphone operating system, was recently opened and includes a deadline for filing abroad on June 8, 2022. This is a legal requirement and the date does not appear to be WWDC related and is a coincidence.
MacRumors coverage
Apple plans to broadcast the main WWDC note live on its website, the Apple TV app and YouTube, but for those who can’t watch, we’ll cover the event on MacRumors.com and through the MacRumorsLive Twitter account.
We’ll also have an in-depth coverage of all Apple announcements for the rest of the week and beyond as we test the new software.
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