To say that Apple’s WWDC 2023 keynote as merely “packed” would be an understatement. The tech giant debuted the Vision Pro, marking its initial delve into mixed reality headsets, alongside a 15-inch MacBook Air. Additionally, an updated Mac Studio and Mac Pro were unveiled, both utilizing the latest M2 Ultra chip. As anticipated, Apple announced significant enhancements across all of its software platforms.
At WWDC, Apple showcased their latest offerings, ranging from an AR/VR headset to updated Macs and software such as iOS 17. The event, which typically focuses on new software for various Apple devices, also introduced a range of new hardware this year.
The MacBook Air has increased in size, improved in quality, and gained more strength.
The new MacBook Air 15 has set a new standard for thinness, coming in at only 11.5mm and weighing just 3.3 pounds. It features two Type-C thunderbolt ports, MagSafe charging and a 3.5mm headphone jack along with a stunning 15.3-inch liquid retina display with thin bezels, peak brightness of up to 500 nits and an array of one billion colors.
For video calls, this laptop has an included 1080p camera along with three-array mics and six speakers that ensure high-quality audio both ways.
Powering the MacBook Air is the latest M2 chip which Apple claims to be twelve times faster than the Intel-based MacBook Air while being efficient enough to offer up to eighteen hours of battery life on a single charge!
The new MacBook Air model starts at $1,299 ($1,199 for education) making it an excellent option for those looking for fantastic performance without sacrificing style or portability.
Moreover, Apple has not forgotten its previous users as it reduced prices on their older models as well: The13-inch MacBook Air now starts at only $1,099—$100 less than before—while maintaining its exceptional performance standards!
What is the Vision Pro?
The Apple Vision Pro is a powerful and exciting new entry in the world of AR and VR technology. Its advanced optics, 8-Core A10X “Fusion” processor, 6GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and 5.5k OLED display make it an attractive device for those looking to immerse themselves into any virtual environment.
Everything you need to know about Apple’s latest VR headset
The vision PRO Utilizing a combination of iOS, MacOS, and TVOS interface elements with its own operating system, it offers the tight control that Apple users have come to expect from their devices. Furthermore, with its adjustable rear strap headband and optional over-the-top strap as well as the external battery pack that fits into your pocket, you’ll experience maximum comfort while enjoying maximum immersion.
On top of all that, the device has a range of features designed to optimize performance while being easy to use. For example, there’s a large digital crown on its right side perfect for dialing down or up your level of engagement with the virtual world without having to fiddle around in menus like some competing models do. And thanks to the fact that this headset is equipped with cameras on its front glass pane – along with curved OLED outer display – you’ll be able to enjoy unparalleled visuals
Apple’s entry into the AR and VR headset race is here – the Apple Vision Pro. This personal display provides all the interface touches expected from Apple, with an operating system that looks like a combination of iOS, macOS, and tvOS.
How does the Vision Pro compare to other VR headsets on the market?
The Vision Pro has three-element lenses that enable 4K resolution. Audio pods sit embedded within the band to suit over your ears. Lidar sensors on the bottom of the headset track hand and body motions while “audio ray tracing” maps sound to your position.
The vision pro technically is a computer equipped with an M2 chip found on Apple’s highest-end computers. But it has got another R1 chip processor which processes all other inputs from 12 cameras, five sensors and six microphones reducing lag time making it super-fast for getting new images to its displays within 12 milliseconds.
Another prominent feature of Vision Pro is its new operating system called VisionOS which uses iOS frameworks along with foveated rendering making spatial computing more efficient.
In addition to this impressive list of features comes EyeSight feature which uses inside-pointing cameras showing people around you what your eyes are focusing on keeping users connected with outside world by not cutting them off entirely from their surroundings.
Interface controls are either voice commands or hand motions; these take some getting used to because users won’t be using traditional mouse or keyboard methods for interacting with their device. Other Vr devices on the market usually use a remote to control them.
What are the key features of the Vision Pro?
The Vision Pro has Apple’s first 3D cameras enabling spatial photos with binaural audio to give users more immersive experiences. This spatial experience is extended to movies that are “impossible to represent on a 2D screen”.
Disney CEO Bob Iger took the WWDC stage to vouch for the headset, and followed with a short video showing interactive 3D experiences that Vision Pro users will soon get to experience on the Disney Plus streaming service.
To keep data secure, Optic ID uses your eyes as an optical fingerprint for authentication. Camera data is processed at the system level so what your headset sees isn’t being fed up into cloud servers or anywhere else where it could be intercepted by hackers or other threats thus enhancing its privacy features.
When will the Vision Pro be available for purchase?
The Apple Vision Pro headset is set to arrive in the US early next year.
How much will the Vision Pro cost?
The device comes at a hefty price tag of $3,499 and will start shipping early next year but only in the US. The headset itself looks like other headsets, with a glass front hiding cameras and even a curved OLED outer display. The wide rear band secures the headset to the wearer’s head (an over-the-top strap is optional). As rumors suggested, there’s an external battery back that connects over a cable and sits in your pocket.
Finally! Speaking about its exclusivity regarding entertainment: “This isn’t just an entertainment device,” Apple said, pitching the Vision Pro as a work-from-home and travel device. It can work in the office as a display for Macs, and supports Apple’s Magic Keyboard and Trackpad devices.
Enhancements in sound quality and improvements in the AirPods audio experience.
Apple has announced some exciting improvements to its audio products. AirPods will now feature Adaptive Audio which combines noise-cancelling and intelligent audio technologies to block out unwanted sounds while allowing important ones like car horns or bike bells to pass through. Additionally, the AirPods will now pass through voices in case someone starts a conversation in person.
SharePlay has also made it much easier for users to take control of music digitally, even when someone is driving with CarPlay. A prompt will be sent out asking others in the car if they want to take control of the music. These features are sure to enhance users’ overall listening experiences!
The performance of Mac Studio improves significantly with the addition of M2 Ultra.
The highly favored Mac Studio, used by creators of all kinds for editing photos, videos, podcasts, and presentations is about to get a massive upgrade. The introduction of the powerful M2 Ultra SoC makes this upgrade possible. According to Apple, the M2 Max SoC is 25% faster than its predecessor- the M1 Max- making it even more capable of handling complex tasks.
Apple also shared that video editors can now render videos up to 50% faster on Adobe After Effects with this new technology. Additionally, an announcement was made regarding the M2 Ultra SoC which includes two connected M2 Max dies with an ultra-fusion architecture that doubles the performance capabilities.
The Mac Studio with M2 Ultra boasts a 24-core CPU providing a 20% faster CPU performance and a 76-core GPU that offers up to 30% faster speed than its previous version -the M1 Ultra. It has a 32-core Neural engine which operates at speeds that are about for times quicker compared to earlier generations.
This technology supports up to192GB of unified memory and has been built on a cutting-edge 5nm process node consisting of134 billion transistors and800GBs memory bandwidth. Six pro display XDR monitors can be supported by Mac Studio’s having an upgraded version with M2 Ultra.
All-in-all these upgrades make Mac Studio more efficient in handling time-consuming tasks thus offering improved functionality while improving overall user experience!
IOS 17
The latest iOS 17 update by Apple brings personalized and intuitive features to iPhone users. The Phone app now offers personalized contact posters where a photo or emoji can be added for a more consistent experience, not just for calling but also as part of the contact card. The new Live Voicemail feature allows users to see the transcription of received messages, and they can even reply right away if deemed important. Video voicemails are also introduced in FaceTime.
Messaging has been improved with filter search options, catch-up arrows for missed conversations, audio message transcriptions, in-line location sharing along with battery level and cellular service status sharing capabilities – all end-to-end encrypted. Stickers are available system-wide while NameDrop allows sharing of phone numbers and other contact details between iPhones or Apple Watches through close proximity.
A new standby mode turns iPhones into desk clocks displaying time, date, weather and alarm information when charging in landscape mode. Siri has been simplified to recognize back-to-back commands like a conversation without having to call her again every time while offline maps can now be downloaded for use with no cellular network.
All-in-all this updated iOS 17 will offer users an unparalleled experience that is more personal than ever before!
Ipad OS 17
With the new iPadOS 17, Apple has introduced interactive widgets allowing users to perform tasks without having to open the app. The lock screen is now also customizable, with options ranging from photos to astronomy and kaleidoscope. You can also add multiple widgets on the left-hand side of the lock screen for more information at a glance.
Live Activities allow users to keep track of food deliveries with Uber Eats, travel plans with Flighty, live scores from sports apps and more-all from the lock screen. Additionally, taking advantage of its large canvas display, health-related activities including heart rate and step tracking can be viewed all in one place via Health app.
The iPadOS 17 autofill feature allows for greater convenience by identifying fields in a PDF document where relevant details like name, address or phone number can quickly be added using autofill. Signatures can also be added using Apple Pencil while real-time collaboration features enhance teamwork by seeing updates in real-time as you work together.
Overall these personalized features make iOS 17 stand out as a truly intuitive operating system that will enhance user experiences across all iPad models!
The macOS Sonoma operating system has received the addition of a new Gaming Mode as well as various other updates and features.
Apple’s macOS Sonoma brings several key features from iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 to Mac devices. Users can now enjoy customizable widgets that they can move around on the canvas or out from the notification center. The new “Game Mode” optimizes CPU and GPU performance for gaming, while reduced audio latency improves the experience even further when using AirPods. The “Game Porting Toolkit” tool also helps developers evaluate if their game will run well on Mac, reducing development time from months to days.
For presenters, a new overlay feature using Apple Silicon and Neural Engine technology is available when presenting remotely. Emoji reactions are also available for added fun during video presentations.
Privacy-focused features include Safari browser blocking trackers, web app support and password/passkeys sharing capabilities with family members.
Overall, macOS Sonoma is bringing big updates to enhance user experiences in gaming, remote presentation and privacy-related features making it an impressive OS update!
The latest version of watchOS, which is watchOS 10, introduces new widgets that allow for faster and easier accessibility.
The watchOS 10 update brings several new features and improvements to enhance the user’s experience with their Apple Watch. Users can now easily access widgets in a smart stack by rotating the crown from any watch face. They can also add a widget that holds their favorite complications, such as quick access to a stopwatch, music, or timer.
The World Clock app has been updated with dynamic background colors reflecting the time of day in that specific time zone. For workout enthusiasts, live activity is shown as a widget on the iPhone lock screen when wearing an Apple Watch while working out.
Apple has also updated its Compass and Maps apps with safety features for hikers: The compass generates two waypoints—one of them being a cellular waypoint—for easy tracking back to where you had reception if you move into areas without cellular network coverage.
Overall, these updates and other improvements make watchOS 10 an exciting update for Apple Watch users who want to stay connected and active!
In addition to the new features in WatchOS, Apple also unveiled some exciting health-focused updates for 2023. The company has introduced a neutral survey that allows users to self-report mood and mental health. This feature can help users identify whether they need professional help or support.
The Health app now includes a new cross-device Vision Health focus, which can help users monitor their eye health across all of their Apple devices. Additionally, there’s a new feature on the Apple Watch that measures the amount of time spent outside during daylight hours to watch for myopia in younger wearers.
Another update is Screen Distance, which uses the TrueDepth camera on iPads to warn people if they’re too close to the screen. These new features are part of Apple’s ongoing efforts to promote wellness and make it easier for people to take charge of their own health and well-being.
