I hope we get to make fun of it for years because it turns out to be so absurd compared to whatever the actual design is.
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What to Expect From WWDC 2023: AR/VR Headset, 15-Inch MacBook Air, Mac Studio, iOS 17, xrOS, macOS 14 and More
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The 15" size is the upsell, as you call it. MBAs are the low end laptops and stronger Pro/Max versions of M2 are reserved for the MBPs; very straightforward. And the low end is well served by M2 such that it has zero need for M3, which will be costing more this early in the yield development cycle anyway.I have not followed all of the updates, but I have been waiting / am in the market to buy the new 15" MBA. I'm confused why the rumors are still stating that it's expected to release with the M2. Can they not get the M2 Pro or M2 Max in there to justify the upsell?
Seems like a jab at consumers since we know the M2 is a year old and next year's MBA update would probably align both the 13" and 15" to the same chip...
Me too. Even though I just bought an M2 Max MBP, a Studio Max also is likely in my future at some point. Ultra still seems like a kludge with weird scaling issues. The MBP is proving that the M2 Max is clearly plenty strong for my needs.
Excited. Definitely expecting the new Air. Hopefully Apple launches it in a new colour.
I always love settling into a nest with a hot chocolate to watch the event. I have a wishlist. It's not imperative they do what I'm hoping for, but I'm optimistic.
- Mac Proooooo. I hope it absolutely embarrasses the x86 chip makers.
- iMac refresh, keep the colours, M3? Maybe split into a 21/27" range again?
- macOS/iOS cool aesthetic changes. Nothing specific. Just a little sparkle.
I really don’t care about the hardware releases. I mean the VR headset is going to be a niche product especially at the presumed price tag of 3+ grand. My Mini/iPad/iPhone setup covers all my needs.
I’m mainly looking forward to the new i(Pad)Os versions due mainly to the app sideloading option for Europe and the native journaling app.
I’m mainly looking forward to the new i(Pad)Os versions due mainly to the app sideloading option for Europe and the native journaling app.
well, I am one that sweats more than anyone in workout studio classes, etc.........ASSUMPTIONS doesn't fit all
What’s the likelihood of the iPad getting a proper filing system?
Hopefully we can stop hearing about the headset. I really can’t understand the drive to get into a niche market.
The air and pro are two different markets. If you want a pro/max processor then get the MacBook Pro. If you want timber and lighter get the air. They aren’t going to cannibalize sales of their higher end machinesI have not followed all of the updates, but I have been waiting / am in the market to buy the new 15" MBA. I'm confused why the rumors are still stating that it's expected to release with the M2. Can they not get the M2 Pro or M2 Max in there to justify the upsell?
Seems like a jab at consumers since we know the M2 is a year old and next year's MBA update would probably align both the 13" and 15" to the same chip...
If that happens I hope everyone will stop talking about it. Or we call it “the apple fetch” as it’s not gonna happen
I really hope they do update the iMac. Ideally give it the M2 with a higher-end M2 Pro option like what the minis have. Maybe even change up the colors like they used to do with the G3. I'd strongly consider an M2 Pro iMac, even with a smaller screen than 27" I may well go for it as a second computer.
Two predictions:
1. The VR- Fake Reality headset will be priced at $1,999. It's the same head fake they used when they introduced the iPad. Feed the rumor mill an inflated price, then announce a much lower one at the event. Everyone one loves a deal. If you recall, the iPad was going to be priced around $1,000 or more, but then they brought it in at $500. Everyone went crazy over the unbelievably low price.
Of course, it worked then because the iPad was a real breakthrough product, a magical device, with mass appeal, many uses, and a price that the masses, at least the middle classes in industrialized, developed countries, could readily afford. This XR device will be such a niche device — and so ridiculous looking to most people — that few will be interested in it, let alone buy it!
2. The keynote will be a big snooze-fest. Happens every year. Not worth wasting hours of one's time over it. Much more efficient, and much more rewarding, to simply do a quick, 5-minute skim of MR's written summary.
Unfortunately, the excitement of the Jobs keynotes vanished long ago and this prerecorded event, with its over-rehearsed swirling cast of characters, who lack presence and need vocal training, will *NEVER* compare.
Even picking up the house, doing some dusting and vacuuming, has far greater appeal — and provides a sense of accomplishment these keynotes never produce!
1. The VR- Fake Reality headset will be priced at $1,999. It's the same head fake they used when they introduced the iPad. Feed the rumor mill an inflated price, then announce a much lower one at the event. Everyone one loves a deal. If you recall, the iPad was going to be priced around $1,000 or more, but then they brought it in at $500. Everyone went crazy over the unbelievably low price.
Of course, it worked then because the iPad was a real breakthrough product, a magical device, with mass appeal, many uses, and a price that the masses, at least the middle classes in industrialized, developed countries, could readily afford. This XR device will be such a niche device — and so ridiculous looking to most people — that few will be interested in it, let alone buy it!
2. The keynote will be a big snooze-fest. Happens every year. Not worth wasting hours of one's time over it. Much more efficient, and much more rewarding, to simply do a quick, 5-minute skim of MR's written summary.
Unfortunately, the excitement of the Jobs keynotes vanished long ago and this prerecorded event, with its over-rehearsed swirling cast of characters, who lack presence and need vocal training, will *NEVER* compare.
Even picking up the house, doing some dusting and vacuuming, has far greater appeal — and provides a sense of accomplishment these keynotes never produce!
So while I agree there won't be a 120Hz screen on the new 15" Air, another common refresh rate is 90Hz.
Could it be possible Apple would do a 90Hz screen in the 15" Air? Probably not as they'd have to charge more (massive margins, not that 90Hz screens cost that much more) and they are already dangerously close to pricing of a 14" MBP.
Could it be possible Apple would do a 90Hz screen in the 15" Air? Probably not as they'd have to charge more (massive margins, not that 90Hz screens cost that much more) and they are already dangerously close to pricing of a 14" MBP.
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
I look forward to seeing a 15-inch MBA.
I love my 13 M2 but I would definitely prefer a 15, or even more so a 17.
I love my 13 M2 but I would definitely prefer a 15, or even more so a 17.
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
Most excited to see what kind of chips go into a new headset/Mac Studio/Mac Pro.
I hope we see the fruits of TSMC's 3nm process.
I hope we see the fruits of TSMC's 3nm process.
It’s very likely you’ll miss the headset render. The real thing is very likely going to look a lot worse.
Your examples just push forward the fact that Apple has way too much hardware to catch up on. Ever since January 17th with the M2/Pro Mac Mini update and the M2 Pro/Max MBP were pushed out to stimulate lost Mac sales due to China's city wide zero covid policy that finally ceased mid Dec 2022. Then you have the fact that during the months of March, April, May could have announced hardware updates but didn't we now arrive to WWDC in 2 days.
Take for instance this article.
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Apple is widely expected to introduce a “mixed reality” headset at its annual developer event on Monday that offers both virtual reality and augmented reality, a technology that overlays virtual images on live video of the real world.
The highly-anticipated release of an AR/VR headset would be Apple’s biggest hardware product launch since the debut of the Apple Watch in 2015. It could signal a new era for the company and potentially revolutionize how millions interact with computers and the world around them.
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If you have a lot of manufacturing logistics to conquer due to manufacturing delays, TSMC yields on whats next, products not seeing timely updates as expected, the last thing I expect is Apple gambling on brand new products that are more risk then return on investment. Instead they are likely pursuing software enhancements to take AR and put it out in the real works via their millions of deployed iPhones/iPads and possibly Macs. If I had to guess what XROS might be it could be where apps work in conjunction with Safari to allow special AR enhanced content to be seen from the internet such as via web browsing/hosts. Yes bring the future to the masses resulting in even more opportunties for Apple developers which is what this show is about.
Now a lot of the lagging hardware that you listed are possibles for Apple to simply announce with pricing so not to consume so much WWDC show time.
What is not would be the two biggest rumors out there, the first being some kind of mixed media headset or glasses, the rumors might be right that this is delayed because they need to introduce us to their AR or VR goals at the show as well as allow the market to warm to Apple's approach. The second is fan driven product rumor such as 15" MBA which first was rumored January 2021, still no confirmation at all from Apple that is something they are working on.
If you're Apple with all these hardware possibilities, whats is the best thing to help the software development community is the question you should be thinking about. Thats what makes this WWDC unusually exciting.