Apple’s WWDC 2023 keynote brought a plethora of exciting announcements. The company launched its first mixed reality headset – the Vision Pro, a 15-inch MacBook Air, updates to Mac Studio and Mac Pro that run on the new M2 Ultra chip, and significant upgrades to all its software platforms. Here is a summary of all the announcements.
Apple Vision Pro
The Vision Pro is Apple’s new mixed reality headset that comes with impressive specifications such as an M2 chip (along with an R1 companion chip), 4K displays for each eye, and numerous cameras and sensors that enable hand gesture input and 3D photography. It also includes an external screen to showcase your eyes and signal others when you’re using an app. The headset runs visionOS, a new spatial computing platform featuring a mixed reality 3D interface that allows apps, FaceTime calls, and other tasks to appear in physical space. With a virtual screen, you can control your Mac, play games, and run iPad apps. Disney plans to include a Disney+ app as part of the Vision Pro’s experiences. The Vision Pro is a high-end wearable computer device for developers and will be available for $3,499 in early 2024.
15-inch MacBook Air
Apple’s latest laptop offering caters to everyday users with its first truly large laptop – the 15-inch MacBook Air. Equipped with the same fanless M2 chip, MagSafe connector, and twin Thunderbolt 4 ports as the 13-inch variant, the MacBook Air comes with a 15.3-inch display and a longer 18-hour battery life. It is touted as the world’s thinnest 15-inch laptop at just 0.45in thick and weighs 3.3lbs. The 15-inch MacBook Air will be available starting June 13th at $1,299, while the 13-inch Air’s price has been reduced to $1,099.
Mac Pro and Mac Studio with M2 Ultra
Apple has made significant strides by completing the transition of its computer line to in-house silicon, introducing a Mac Pro with an all-new M2 Ultra system-on-chip and an M2 Max/M2 Ultra equipped Mac Studio. With the usual cheese grater look, the upgraded Mac Pro features a 24-core CPU, 76-core GPU chip, and is reportedly up to three times faster. However, upgradable RAM is not available. The workstation includes seven PCIe slots and eight Thunderbolt 4 ports for heavy-duty user demand. The Mac Studio comes with a higher-bandwidth HDMI port supporting up to 8k resolution and 240Hz refresh rates. Both systems will be available starting June 13th, with the Mac Studio starting at $1,999, while the Mac Pro will start at $6,599.
iOS 17
iOS 17 is a major upgrade for the iPhone, including contact-specific "posters," live transcripts for voicemail, a refreshed Messages interface with transcripts and powerful sticker features, location-based check-ins with friends, and numerous FaceTime upgrades such as leaving video messages among others. Siri introduces support for back-to-back commands without the "Siri" keyword, autocorrect adds sentence-level correction and predictions. Health includes mood tracking to identify medically relevant emotional changes. Apple’s new Journal app allows users to document their activities and thoughts, while StandBy enables your iPhone to double as a useful smart display for widgets. iOS 17 will be available in the fall, with a developer preview currently available, and a public beta
