The biggest aspect of the WWDC 2023 event was arguably the announcement of the Apple Vision Pro.
Apple Vision Pro: Described as a “new kind of computer,” this personal display device is equipped with an operating system that merges elements of iOS, MacOS, and TVOS.
- Key Points: AR/VR headset, merges elements of iOS, MacOS, and TVOS, priced at $3,499, and starts orders/shipping early 2024.
- Pros: Could provide a new level of immersive experience, potential for new applications in gaming, education, and professional settings.
- Cons: High price point could limit accessibility, new technology may have a learning curve or potential bugs.
MacBook Air 15 and Mac Studio: Apple unveiled a new 15-inch MacBook Air, powered by the M2 chip and boasting up to 18 hours of battery life. The company also introduced the new Mac Studio, equipped with the M2 Max chipset or the new M2 Ultra chipset, which supports up to 192GB of memory.
Mac Pro with M2 Ultra: The high-end desktop Mac Pro model also received an upgrade, now featuring the M2 Ultra chip and supporting up to 192GB of RAM.
- this marks the full transition to Apple Silicon. Intel chips are gone.
- MacBook Air 15
- Key Points: 15-inch display, powered by the M2 chip, up to 18 hours of battery life.
- Pros: Larger screen could enhance productivity and entertainment experiences, long battery life is convenient for mobile use.
- Cons: Larger size may reduce portability, potential higher cost compared to previous models.
- Mac Studio
- Key Points: Equipped with the M2 Max chipset or the new M2 Ultra chipset, supports up to 192GB of memory.
- Pros: High performance could benefit professional users, such as video editors and software developers.
- Cons: Likely to be expensive, may be overpowered for average users.
- Mac Pro with M2 Ultra
- Key Points: High-end desktop model, features the M2 Ultra chip, supports up to 192GB of RAM.
- Pros: Extremely powerful, suitable for high-demand tasks and professional use.
- Cons: Likely to be very expensive, not necessary for average users.
iOS 17 and iPadOS 17: The software updates for iPhones and iPads brought numerous quality-of-life improvements. iOS 17 introduced features such as live transcriptions of calls, enhanced search filters in Messages, and a new safety feature called Check In. iPadOS 17, on the other hand, brought more controls to widgets and interactive personal data to the Health app.
MacOS Sonoma: The new MacOS Sonoma update added more widget functionality and gaming upgrades, including a new gaming mode that prioritizes CPU and GPU to improve frame rate.
WatchOS 10: The next operating system upgrade for Apple Watches, WatchOS 10, introduced accessible widgets from the home screen and improved workouts for cyclists.
Health Focuses for 2023: Apple introduced a neutral survey to self-report mood and mental health, acting as a non-medical indicator of whether professional help might be needed. A new cross-device Vision Health focus in the Health app was also introduced.