By Abhik Sengupta: Apple is set to host its annual developer conference, WWDC 2023, on June 5. Typically, at WWDC, the company showcases next-gen operating systems for its iPhones, Mac computers, Apple Watch, iPads, and Apple TV. However, once in a while, the company unveils new hardware to keep the buzz alive. Notable Apple analyst and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims Apple will launch “several new Macs” next week. We have already seen the introduction of the new-gen M2-powered MacBook this year, though they were mostly soft launches (without any events). At the upcoming WWDC keynote, Apple is also expected to unveil a Reality headset – the company’s first AR/VR headset.
The same update is reiterated by Gurman in his latest tweet. The post reads, “I’m expecting three major focus areas next week: 1) several new Macs, 2) the mixed-reality headset, 3) the new OSs. With all of the new hardware and software, I expect the keynote to be one of Apple’s longest ever and easily exceed two hours.”
An Apple analyst earlier reported that Apple may launch a new 15-inch MacBook Air with an M2 SoC. It could be similar to the existing MacBook Air 13 with M2, but with a bigger body and likely a larger body. It means the laptop would feature a metal chassis and a non-touch LED display. Despite an LED display panel, the new MacBook Air may offer a native resolution of 2560×1664 pixels and 500nits brightness. Apple may also add an upgraded 1080p FaceTime camera and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity support. Due to a laptop’s large design, Apple may consider adding a bigger battery with faster charging support.
Gurman had also reported about Apple planning to launch an updated 13-inch MacBook Air, an entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro, a refreshed 24-inch iMac, the first Mac Pro with in-house chips, and an updated high-end MacBook Pro this year. We can expect the company to unveil one of these products at the upcoming WWDC.
Additionally, Apple is expected to launch its first AR/VR headset, dubbed to be called Reality Pro. The device is expected to look similar to existing VR headsets, which are akin to ski goggles. However, Apple may boast the device’s build quality and weight. The company is also reportedly working on a dedicated operating system for the headset. Several reports have pointed out that Apple might eventually kill the iPhone with AR glasses in the next few years. The Reality Pro headset is a stepping stone into that reality.
Other than the hardware, we will get a look at the new iOS 17, iPadOS 17 and macOS. Details remain unclear, though Apple may add new privacy features to stand out against rivals.
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