Top Stories: WWDC Announced, iOS 15.5 Beta, iPhone 14 Pro Rumors, and More

[MacRumors]

It took until April to get official word, but we finally have a few details on the 2022 edition of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference. WWDC will once again be a free online event for all developers, and we can expect to see lots of software announcements and perhaps a few hardware ones too, if we're lucky.

Other news this week included the start of a new cycle of operating system betas with iOS 15.5, macOS Monterey 12.4, and more, as well as some fresh rumors about the iPhone 14 Pro Max and AirPods Pro 2, so read on for details on these stories and more!

Apple Announces Digital WWDC 2022: June 6-10

Apple this week announced that its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is returning June 6 through June 10. For the third consecutive year, the event will take place in an online format, but a limited number of developers will be able to apply to attend an in-person viewing party for the Keynote and State of the Union videos at Apple Park.

As usual, expect Apple to unveil its latest software platforms, including iOS 16 for the iPhone, iPadOS 16 for the iPad, macOS 13 for the Mac, watchOS 9 for the Apple Watch, and tvOS 16 for the Apple TV. Hardware announcements sometimes occur at WWDC too, with rumors suggesting that a new Mac Pro with Apple silicon may be previewed this year.

Apple Releases First iOS 15.5 Beta: Here's Everything New

Apple finally seeded the first betas of iOS 15.5 and iPadOS 15.5 to developers and public beta testers this week. As usual, a handful of new features and changes have been discovered.

We've rounded up everything new in the first iOS 15.5 beta, including Apple Pay Cash tweaks, more Apple Classical app references, and more.

Apple also seeded the first betas of macOS 12.4, watchOS 8.6, and tvOS 15.5.

iPhone 14 Pro Max Rumored to Feature 20% Thinner Display Bezels

While we are still around five months away from Apple unveiling its "iPhone 14" lineup, rumors are starting to ramp up about the devices.

The latest rumor suggests that the iPhone 14 Pro Max will feature 20% thinner bezels around the display, if leaked CAD drawings prove to be accurate. iPhone 14 Pro models are also rumored to feature a 48-megapixel main camera lens with a wider sensor.

Five Years Ago, Apple's Uncharacteristic Apology Set the Stage for the Mac's Renaissance

Five years ago, the Mac lineup was in a bad state. Over three years had passed since Apple had redesigned the Mac Pro with a sleek but constrained "trash can" enclosure, while the iMac, MacBook Air, and Mac mini had also gone years without updates.

Then came along Apple's uncharacteristic apology to pro Mac users, which set the stage for the Mac's renaissance over the past few years.

AirPods Pro 2 Expected to Launch in Second Half of 2022

Nearly two and a half years after Apple introduced the AirPods Pro, new ones may finally be on the horizon, if the latest rumor is to be believed.

Apple plans to release second-generation AirPods Pro in the second half of 2022, according to reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Rumors suggest the new AirPods Pro could have a more compact design, motion sensors for fitness tracking, and many other new features.

Budget Phone Comparison: Apple's iPhone SE vs. Samsung's Galaxy A53 5G

Apple in March came out with the updated 2022 iPhone SE, a budget iPhone that's equipped with 5G. Samsung also recently came out with its own budget 5G smartphone, the Galaxy A53 5G, so in one of our latest videos, we compared the two to see how they measure up.

In short, the A53 5G is offering up a better feature set, but it can't match the iPhone SE in terms of lifespan and build quality.

MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

Article Link: Top Stories: WWDC Announced, iOS 15.5 Beta, iPhone 14 Pro Rumors, and More

 

[Jeven Stobs]

How come WWDC is so much earlier this year?

Edit: I could have sworn WWDC took place the first week of July at least the last 3 years because that’s when I’m a supervisor in a summer camp and I’d always watch it after I checked on the house and that all kids were in their rooms. Very strange.

 

[mcfmullen]

I’m still using my iPhone 7 pro. I’m waiting for a iPhone SE that is the same size. Just do it with a 5 year old camera if you have to.
These constant camera upgrades at this point are utterly unnecessary.

 

[anthogag]

I’m still using my iPhone 7 pro. I’m waiting for a iPhone SE that is the same size. Just do it with a 5 year old camera if you have to.
These constant camera upgrades at this point are utterly unnecessary.

Camera upgrades are not unnecessary. With better cameras also comes new uses for iPhones.

 

[anthogag]

AirPods Pro 2 will be “truly wireless”.

Where are the iOS 16 rumours? Is Apple working on a better onscreen keyboard for iPhone and iPad?

 

[yourmn]

How come WWDC is so much earlier this year?

Edit: I could have sworn WWDC took place the first week of July at least the last 3 years because that’s when I’m a supervisor in a summer camp and I’d always watch it after I checked on the house and that all kids were in their rooms. Very strange.

Yeah it’s nearly always early June lol

 

[decimortis]

I’m still using my iPhone 7 pro. I’m waiting for a iPhone SE that is the same size. Just do it with a 5 year old camera if you have to.
These constant camera upgrades at this point are utterly unnecessary.

Still rocking my iPhone 7+ too. The new phones don't do anything for me that the 7+ can't do. Waiting on USB-C or some other revolutionary update before I get another. And this is from a guy who owned every phone from the 3GS to the 7+

 

[Realityck]

WWDC 2022 should be more interesting this year. Apple appears to be more methodical with software betas. The last ones wrapped up 4 weeks ago, then this long gap to this week releases. While there that bug fix/security update last week, it didn't quite explain why the month long lapse. If I had to guess I would say be prepared for the unexpected at WWDC. iOS/iPadOS need to evolve pass their current limitations if Apple wants to get past their restrictive ecosystem limitations. MacOS needs to support a more advance Metal to allow the M1 Pro/Max/Ultra to do things not possible in Monterey. Mammoth if that is what Apple uses will be akin to how Big Sur change MacOS, it won't be a modest, it will be like its name. I expect lots of possibilities to be rumored before WWDC 2022 occurs.

 

[citysnaps]

I’m still using my iPhone 7 pro. I’m waiting for a iPhone SE that is the same size. Just do it with a 5 year old camera if you have to.
These constant camera upgrades at this point are utterly unnecessary.

Camera enhancements are the only reason I upgrade. Wouldn’t be shocked if there were many millions more like me who are into making photographs.

 

[Nathan King]

Even as a photographer, I can't understand why phone companies insist on cramming high megapixel sensors in their devices. Many relatively high-end lenses from respected manufacturers struggle to resolve 48 megapixels. The tiny optics housed in a phone don't stand a chance. I also don't know anybody who creates 40+ inch prints from their iPhone photos. Most of the data is wasted and ends up needlessly filling the drive.

 

[Realityck]

Even as a photographer, I can't understand why phone companies insist on cramming high megapixel sensors in their devices. Many relatively high-end lenses from respected manufacturers struggle to resolve 48 megapixels. The tiny optics housed in a phone don't stand a chance. I also don't know anybody who creates 40+ inch prints from their iPhone photos. Most of the data is wasted and ends up needlessly filling the drive.

Even if we like the all-in-one iPhone for its capabilities, I don't see why Apple can't sell a external 8K capable camera with better optics/sensor that you interface with a iPhone to use its processing and storage. Hey If Apple can pair a Watch they can do other things to pair with their products.

 

[liberte1776]

WHEN is Apple going to enable multiple AirPlay 2 output speakers to be selected from the Mac menu bar audio settings?! FAIL that this still is not enabled.

Also when are Macs going to get HomeKit enabled, so I can control them via my iPhone? I would like to power it up and stop audio output minimally...

 

[MacsRgr8]

So... exciting... what can we expect?

• New AR technology / use-cases?
• Maybe even VR coming to the Apple-scene?
• After the last event.. what about new hardware, i.e Mac Pro based on Apple Silicon?

TBH, seems difficult to otherwise expect some great new stuff on macOS / i(Pad)OS.

 

[Miha_v]

I’m still using my iPhone 7 pro. I’m waiting for a iPhone SE that is the same size. Just do it with a 5 year old camera if you have to.
These constant camera upgrades at this point are utterly unnecessary.

You mean 7 Plus? I used iPhone 7 for 4+ years and it worked absolutely perfectly (would still use it, had I not been given an 11 pro at work). But I have to say, the camera upgrades on newer phones are fantastic; clearer details, contrast & image improvements, low-light situations are a night & day difference (literally). Addition of wide angle lens on pro is great too.

 

[tomguy9900]

I also noticed this week that Costco was selling Studio Displays for $1499 matching EDU. I

Even if we like the all-in-one iPhone for its capabilities, I don't see why Apple can't sell a external 8K capable camera with better optics/sensor that you interface with a iPhone to use its processing and storage. Hey If Apple can pair a Watch they can do other things to pair with their products.

What’s EDU?

 

[Realityck]

What’s EDU?

Educational pricing and discounts for universities

 

[4jasontv]

Also when are Macs going to get HomeKit enabled, so I can control them via my iPhone? I would like to power it up and stop audio output minimally...

Can't you use the Control Center remote or iTunes remote to do that?

If not, it's not a bad idea. However, given how poorly designed Homekit's UI is, I would rather see them improve usability first.

 

[citysnaps]

Even as a photographer, I can't understand why phone companies insist on cramming high megapixel sensors in their devices. Many relatively high-end lenses from respected manufacturers struggle to resolve 48 megapixels. The tiny optics housed in a phone don't stand a chance. I also don't know anybody who creates 40+ inch prints from their iPhone photos. Most of the data is wasted and ends up needlessly filling the drive.

It's the best of both worlds. In good light you have high resolution. In low light pixel binning gives you lower noise, but at a lower resolution.

As a photographer myself, it's nice having options.

 

[mjz_5]

Even if we like the all-in-one iPhone for its capabilities, I don't see why Apple can't sell a external 8K capable camera with better optics/sensor that you interface with a iPhone to use its processing and storage. Hey If Apple can pair a Watch they can do other things to pair with their products.

that would be amazing!! would allow me to keep my phone safe while taking photos as well.. kids like to destroy stuff.. lol

 

[The Barron]

How come WWDC is so much earlier this year?

Edit: I could have sworn WWDC took place the first week of July at least the last 3 years because that’s when I’m a supervisor in a summer camp and I’d always watch it after I checked on the house and that all kids were in their rooms. Very strange.

I don't think the WWDC has ever been in July.

 

[slooksterPSV]

XCode for iPadOS maybe??

 

[mrr]

Next to the Safari, people spend more time in Apple mail. Apple mail has not been updated in a bazillion years. I would like to see some significant feature updates to Apple mail.

 

[playtech1]

The imminent arrival of an M2 Mac Mini might explain the lack of an M1 Pro Mini to bridge the gap between the M1 Mini and M1 Max Studio.

It will be interesting to see if the M1 Mini gets discontinued or if an M2 Mini sits alongside it as a higher priced option.