WWDC 2023 Recap!

At WWDC 2023, Apple made several exciting announcements that left tech enthusiasts buzzing with anticipation. Among the highlights were the unveiling of the “Vision Pro” headset and visionOS, a new operating system specifically designed for the mixed-reality headset. The Vision Pro headset promises to revolutionize the way users interact with digital content by seamlessly blending it with the physical world. Priced at $3,499, the headset will be available in early 2024 exclusively in Apple retail stores in the United States.

The Vision Pro headset boasts a sleek design with a polished glass front and a lightweight aluminum frame. It features a modular system for a customizable fit and a high-resolution display system with 23 million pixels across two micro-OLED displays. The headset is controlled through a combination of eye, hand, and voice commands and supports Apple’s Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad. With its advanced spatial audio system and immersive video capabilities, the Vision Pro headset offers users a truly transformative experience.

In addition to the Vision Pro headset, Apple announced the new MacBook Air with a larger 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display and the latest M2 chip. Described as the thinnest 15-inch laptop in the world, the new MacBook Air is powered by the M2 processor, which delivers impressive performance and efficiency. The laptop features a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, a six-speaker system for immersive audio, and up to 18 hours of battery life. Starting at $1,299, the new MacBook Air is available now.

Apple also introduced a new 70W power adapter priced at $59, which is recommended for use with the new 15-inch MacBook Air and other MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models. Furthermore, Apple released SSD upgrade kits for the Mac Pro, offering storage options of 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB. These kits replace the existing internal SSD storage and are compatible with the new 2023 Mac Pro machines that utilize Apple’s M2 Ultra chips.

In a significant milestone, Apple completed its transition to Apple silicon with the introduction of the M2 Ultra chip in the Mac Pro. This means that all current Mac models now feature Apple-designed chips, marking the end of Apple’s reliance on Intel-based chips. The new Mac Pro with the M2 Ultra chip starts at $7,000, while the Mac Studio with the same chip starts at $4,000.

iOS 17, the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system, brings several notable improvements, including the ability to share AirTags with others. Users can now invite contacts to view the location of an AirTag, making it easier to lend items with AirTags attached. iOS 17 also introduces a mood tracking feature in the Health app, allowing users to log their emotions and gain insights into their overall mental well-being.

For Apple Watch users, watchOS 10 offers a new widgets view, redesigned apps, and improvements to workouts. The update includes a dynamic Smart Stack of widgets that can be scrolled through on any watch face. Apps like World Clock and the Activity app have been redesigned, and new cycling workout features have been introduced. The Mindfulness app now includes mood tracking capabilities, and the Health app will link mood reports to activities like Workouts and sleep.

Lastly, macOS Sonoma, the latest macOS version, drops support for certain Mac models, including the 2017 MacBook Pro, 2017 iMac, and 2017 MacBook (12-Inch). The update remains compatible with newer models, such as MacBook Pro (2018 and later), MacBook Air (2018 and later), and iMac (2019 and later).

Up Next: Minnesota's New Right-to-Repair Law: Empowering Consumers and Reducing Electronic Waste