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Apple's 33rd annual Worldwide Developers Conference is set to kick off on Monday, June 6 at 10:00 a.m. Like the 2020 and 2021 events, it will be held in a digital-only capacity, so it is free for all developers worldwide to attend.


The keynote event will give us our first look at new operating system updates, including iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, tvOS 16, and watchOS 9, plus rumors suggest we could see some new hardware. Everything we've heard about this year's event is outlined below.

iOS 16

Most of the rumors about iOS 16 have been vague, so we know little about the operating system update at this time. In years past, new versions of iOS have leaked out early and have given us insight into the feature set that's coming, but that didn't happen this year.

iOS-16-mock-for-feature.jpg

That said, we have heard some rumors about what to expect, with much of the information sourced from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who has reliable sources with information on Apple's plans.

Rumored New Features

  • Overhauled Lock screen with wallpapers that have "widget-like capabilities."
  • There will be "significant" improvements to notifications, though we don't know specific details.
  • Messages app with "social network-like functionality" with a specific focus on audio messages.
  • Health app with expanded sleep tracking functionality and medicine management. Apple is working on a tool that will let users scan their pill bottles into the app, plus there are new women's health features expected.
  • Fresh Apple apps are in the works, with no more specific information.
  • Apple is also working on "new ways of system interaction," but it's not quite clear what that means.
  • New Fitness+ workout types.
  • Apple Music classical app with interface based on Primephonic, an app Apple acquired in 2021.
Possible Features Based on iPhone 14 Rumors

  • Always-on display for iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max (not coming until September).
  • Likely revamped status bar interface for iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max to accommodate hole punch and pill design that is expected to replace the notch on those devices.
  • The iPhone 14 models are expected to get a car crash detection feature, which would dial emergency services automatically when a collision is detected. This would require new iOS 16 functionality.
  • Apple may also add a satellite-based emergency feature to the iPhone 14 models, which would be supported in iOS 16. This feature would let iPhones send texts in emergency situations when there is no cellular coverage, and report major emergencies when coverage is not available.
  • iOS 16 could include support for the buy now, pay later feature for Apple Pay that Apple is developing.
  • Similarly, it could introduce support for the hardware subscription program that will let customers pay a monthly fee for an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
For more on what we're expecting in iOS 16, we have a dedicated iOS 16 roundup.

iPadOS 16

iPadOS 16 will get many of the new features that are introduced in iOS 16, but Apple is also working on additional functionality that's iPad specific.

With iPadOS 16, Apple is aiming to make the iPad behave more like a laptop than a smartphone, and the new iPad software will be one of the biggest updates announced at WWDC.

The update will feature a redesigned multitasking interface that makes it easier to swap between tasks and see which apps are open, plus it will allow users to resize windows. Apple also plans to implement new ways for users to deal with multiple apps at once, in what sounds like a much more Mac-like multitasking experience.

macOS 13

We don't know much about the feature set coming to macOS 13, as there have been few leaks. It is rumored to feature an overhauled System Preferences interface that will bring it more in line with the Settings app on iPhone and iPad, with the update to include individual settings organized by app.

macos-13-text-mockup.jpg

Apple is also expected to revamp some of the default apps, so we could see improvements to Messages, Mail, Safari, and more. Messages in particular is rumored to be getting social network-like functionality with enhancements to audio messages. That's an iOS 16 rumor, but Messages usually has feature parity across platforms.

As for naming, macOS 13 could be macOS Mammoth, based on Apple trademark filings. Apple way back in 2013 registered trademarks for many California landmarks and Mammoth is the one that's been kept active the longest, though its status is unknown at this time and Apple has in the past chosen some names that were never on that list, so the naming isn't certain.

watchOS 9

watchOS 9 will have some updates that impact the day-to-day operation and navigation on the wrist-worn device.
  • Updated power saving mode that will allow for the use of apps and features while cutting down on battery usage.
  • Expanded atrial fibrillation detection feature with added "burden," aka how often a person is in a state of atrial fibrillation across a period of time.
  • Improved health and activity tracking.
  • More workout types.
  • Additional metrics for running workouts.
  • Refresh for existing watch faces.

tvOS 16

tvOS doesn't often get as many new features as other operating system updates, and we don't know a lot about tvOS 16, but it is rumored to include new smart home tie-ins. You may be able to do more with your smart home products through the Apple TV following the launch of the update.

Hardware Possibilities

The past several WWDC events have focused solely on software and have not included hardware announcements, so it's not yet clear if we're going to see any hardware unveiled at this year's event. If we do, the below listed devices are the most likely candidates.

MacBook Air

If Apple does plan to introduce new Macs at the event, the MacBook Air is the device we're likely to see, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple is reportedly "aiming" to introduce the MacBook Air at the event, but COVID-related supply chain issues in China could prevent Apple from doing so.

macbook-air-rounded-mock-yellow.jpg

The next-generation MacBook Air is expected to feature a total design overhaul with a MacBook Pro-like shape that does away with the tapered body. It will be thinner and lighter, and it is expected to come in multiple colors, including space gray, silver, a champagne color, and blue. The MacBook Air is expected to feature slim off-white bezels and a matching off-white keyboard, and it could be around 13.6 inches in size.

The MacBook Air will probably be equipped with a next-generation M2 chip, which is expected to feature the same number of computing cores as the M1 (eight), but it will include speed improvements that make it marginally faster. It is also rumored to have improved graphics with nine or 10 GPU cores, up from seven or eight in the current M1 MacBook Air.

The M2 chip will be the first upgrade to the M1-series chips that Apple has been using in Apple silicon devices to date. Though many rumors have suggested the MacBook Air will feature an M2 chip, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple could focus on the redesign rather than new chip technology.

He has said the next-generation TSMC N3 and N4P fabrication processes will not be ready for mass production until 2023, so Apple will only be able to introduce an iterative update expected to use the same N5P chip used for the A15 and the M1.

More on the next-generation MacBook Air can be found in our 2022 MacBook Air guide.

Mac Pro

Back in 2019, the redesigned modular Mac Pro was shown off at WWDC ahead of its late 2019 launch, and there's a possibility that we could see a similar unveiling this year.

macproback.jpg

Apple's hardware engineering chief John Ternus confirmed at the spring event that there is an Apple silicon version of the Mac Pro in the works, and it is expected to be coming at some point in 2022.

Apple could perhaps give us a small preview of the Mac Pro ahead of a launch coming later in the year.

Rumors suggest the Mac Pro will feature a chip even more powerful than the M1 Ultra used in the Mac Studio. It is expected to feature up to 40 CPU cores and 128 graphics cores, which would make it twice as powerful as the M1 Ultra.

Apple could introduce an M1 Ultra successor that is in fact two M1 Ultra chips linked together, as the M1 Ultra itself is essentially two connected M1 Max chips. If that's the case, the upcoming Mac Pro chip will be four times as powerful as the M1 Max.

AR/VR Headset?

There were rumors last year that Apple's long-rumored AR/VR headset could see an introduction at the 2022 Worldwide Developers Conference, but it looks like that's not going to happen.

apple-mixed-reality-headset-mockup-feature.jpg

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo have said that the headset is simply not ready to be introduced at this point in time, as Apple still has kinks to work out. Kuo believes that Apple will launch the headset in 2023, and Gurman has said that Apple does not have plans for a "full-blown announcement" of the headset at WWDC.

That said, a trademark for "realityOS," the operating system for the headset, was discovered recently, and it features a foreign filing date deadline of June 8, 2022. That's a legal requirement, and it appears that the date is unrelated to WWDC and is a coincidence.

MacRumors Coverage

Apple plans to live stream the WWDC keynote on its website, the Apple TV app, and YouTube, but for those unable to watch, we'll be covering the event on MacRumors.com and through the MacRumorsLive Twitter account.

We'll also have in-depth coverage of all of Apple's announcements throughout the rest of the week and going forward as we test the new software.

Article Link: What to Expect at WWDC 2022: iOS 16, macOS 13, watchOS 9 and Possibly New Macs
 
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Juicy Box

macrumors 604
Sep 23, 2014
7,518
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tvOS doesn't often get as many new features as other operating system updates,
It is amazing how little tvOS has changed since its launch in 2015 when compared to the MacOS and iOS.

Still gets a new number though.


it is rumored to include new smart home tie-ins. You may be able to do more with your smart home products through the Apple TV following the launch of the update.
Now we just need more HomeKit compatible smart home devices.
 

lazyrighteye

Contributor
Jan 16, 2002
4,092
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Denver, CO
Love the predictability. I hope Apple manages to blow us away. Hopefully there won't be alot of changing presenters throughout the presentation :)
I do think Apple is very intentional about moving from a one-presenter (Steve) to a multi-presenter approach in an effort to highlight some of the diversity/talent/humans behind these devices and services. While it does make it a bit trickier to connect to the brand, I get why they have been taking this approach. And while I personally prefer the focus a one-presenter approach yielded, I think this is the right approach - most things considered.
 

F75

macrumors newbie
Oct 18, 2019
21
29
It is amazing how little tvOS has changed since its launch in 2015 when compared to the MacOS and iOS.

Still gets a new number though.



Now we just need more HomeKit compatible smart home devices.
I don’t see why I can’t turn on my Apple TV and have a bunch of widgets on the screen showing weather, news, calendar, messages etc. like in so many sci-fi movies, the technology is there. Could even watch stuff in a PIP window, etc. Right now it’s just an un-exciting dashboard.
 
I wish they would move to a new OS every 2 years and spend more time refining and fixing bugs. That would suit me fine.
That's an interesting point however I don't think it will be beneficial. 2 years is a long time. Other companies like Microsoft, Google even Meta will take over. I'm all up for yearly upgrades as it keeps everything fresh and innovative. You don't want macOS or iOS running like an Android system. Also, we need new features. Overtime it gets boring.

Even Samsung is focusing on upgrading more frequently.

 

ackmondual

macrumors 68020
Dec 23, 2014
2,421
1,140
U.S.A., Earth
Huh, for someone on a 9th gen iPad, ios16 seems to be take it or leave it? However, my paranoia about major iOS upgrades breaking current functionality seems like it can be stowed away. At least for several major upgrades (so at least to ios17 or ios18). So should just go ahead with the update
 

Lounge vibes 05

macrumors 68040
May 30, 2016
3,551
10,411
I do think Apple is very intentional about moving from a one-presenter (Steve) to a multi-presenter approach in an effort to highlight some of the diversity/talent/humans behind these devices and services. While it does make it a bit trickier to connect to the brand, I get why they have been taking this approach. And while I personally prefer the focus a one-presenter approach yielded, I think this is the right approach - most things considered.
And what’s interesting is that it can be argued that this was started under Steve.
Sure the Original iPhone was mostly him on stage, and there was a couple more keynotes like the iPhone 4 introduction where he was the main presenter.
But as the years went on he seemed to get less and less stage time.
 

Leon Ze Professional

macrumors 6502a
Sep 23, 2021
603
3,317
Do hope they at least announce the new Macbook Air re - design. I really do want to see this new design in the flesh and the colour scheme.

However, I'm fearful of the comment below why we will still have to wait longer.

"but COVID-related supply chain issues in China could prevent Apple from doing so."

Hopefully this will not be the case.
 

jchap

macrumors 6502a
Sep 25, 2009
580
1,047
It really doesn’t seem that we’re going to see the new MacBook Air at this event. We haven’t been hearing the usual rumors about start of production and so on. Since we haven’t heard any supply chain rumors or news, it seems reasonable to assume that we won’t be getting a shippable Air (or just the MacBook?) soon.

There’s also a question as to whether Apple would actually announce a product that may not have entered actual production. At the very best, they may announce and show off the product virtually, and then start taking preorders. (Since the new MacBook Air or just the MacBook is allegedly coming in a variety of colors, it makes sense that Apple would want to gauge how many should be manufactured of each color, based on preorder volume.)

Further, the fact that a brand new OS is likely coming in three months means that any new Mac hardware shipped right now would not have that new OS installed. Shipping without the successor OS installed is something that Apple doesn’t typically do, as I recall.

Judging from all this, I’d say that sadly, we won’t be seeing any Mac products this time… at least, not a shippable product 🤨
 

Mr. Dee

macrumors 603
Dec 4, 2003
5,990
12,826
Jamaica
Apple is saving any new Macs for the fall and trying to resolve what’s already been ordered. There are customers who have yet to even receive their MacBook Pro M1 Pro/Max
and the new Mac Studio. A new Mac right now would add too
much constraint on the supply chain and force Apple to miss targets.

What’s already available is powerful enough. Give the company a break. Tim I am giving you full authorization not release any brand new Macs until 2025. The majority of what people are using their Macs for already is watching YouTube unboxing, FaceBook, Tik Tok videos and positing Macrumors about what’s next and status symbol objects at Starbucks on the Ave.

Seriously, page documents in Word and Pages doesn’t require 64 GBs of RAM and M1 Utra.
 
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