4 massive Apple rumors confirmed at WWDC 2023 – and 4 we’d nonetheless like to see occur
Apple is notoriously secretive about its work.
Senior VP of Software program Engineering Craig Federighi even feigned whole ignorance when requested about rumors of a combined actuality headset in a 2021 interview(opens in a new tab). That is what makes it all of the extra satisfying when Apple rumors change into true. By the point Apple CEO Tim Cook dinner got here again on stage at WWDC 2023 for “another factor,” you possibly can wager that the XR headset, Imaginative and prescient Professional, was about to be introduced.
Apple avoids the AI lure at WWDC
Nonetheless, Apple has a historical past of throwing curveballs, which it has finished prior to now like introducing the Dynamic Island as an alternative of eradicating the digicam notch for the iPhone 14 Professional final 12 months. Sniffing out credible Apple leaks is a full-time job, and never a simple one. Even probably the most dependable sources typically get it fallacious with the timing or interpretation of particulars.
Listed below are the largest predictions for WWDC 2023 that panned out and those that didn’t.
1. Imaginative and prescient Professional
After a number of years of anticipating an XR headset announcement at WWDC, 2023 was lastly the 12 months Apple did it. For a few 12 months, we’d been listening to a gradual circulate of detailed leaks from Apple consultants Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo and a report by The Info(opens in a brand new tab), which all however confirmed the very actual existence of Imaginative and prescient Professional and tentative timeline. The one main shock was the title of the headset, which was rumored to be Actuality Professional, not Imaginative and prescient Professional.
Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional is extremely costly, however not for the explanation you suppose
Specialists additionally thought the value could be between $2,000 and $3,000, however Apple stunned everybody by pricing it at a whopping $3,500. Apart from that, leaked particulars about Imaginative and prescient Professional’s design and capabilities had been fairly spot on. The fortunate few who’ve examined it out are fairly impressed(opens in a new tab).
2. StandBy
In late Might, Gurman reported(opens in a brand new tab) an iOS 17 function to make the iPhone operate like a sensible dwelling show when oriented horizontally. This turned out be StandBy. The brand new function builds on the All the time-On lock display screen that was unveiled with iOS 16 final 12 months, exhibiting the time, schedules, and different notifications and widgets on a rapidly accessible interface. StandBy is accessible now with the developer beta.
3. Journal
An April report(opens in a brand new tab) from The Wall Avenue Journal precisely predicted the launch of the brand new Journal app with iOS 17. As anticipated, Journal is a digital place to log ideas and supply recommendations for brand spanking new entries that pull in different knowledge out of your iPhone like images and exercises. Apple didn’t share a lot element past Journal’s fundamental features, however paperwork leaked to the Journal defined it as a Day One competitor however with deeper entry to your iPhone knowledge. Journal is alleged to be coming “later this 12 months,” so we will count on extra particulars to come back.
4. Updates to the Well being app
As predicted by Gurman, the Well being app received some updates. Apple is lastly giving customers the Well being app on an iPad.
Each iPadOS 17 and iOS 17 are getting a Well being app replace that tracks your temper and feelings, as a result of “title it, tame it” is a vital a part of psychological well being remedy. New Well being app options can be found with the developer beta.
What wasn’t introduced at WWDC 2023 that we’re nonetheless hoping for this 12 months
Even with the two-hour runtime, Apple sped by the Mac and OS bulletins to get to the Imaginative and prescient Professional unveiling. Whether or not Apple continues to be planning to launch a few of these rumored options in a later replace, on the September occasion, or ever, is TBD. The developer beta is dwell, so customers are already discovering options not lined on the occasion.
A not-so-much revamped Management Middle
In response to customers already testing the developer beta, this turned out to be a minor addition(opens in a new tab) of an Apple Watch toggle. There was a rumor(opens in a brand new tab) of a complete Management Middle overhaul in accordance an nameless supply on a MacRumors discussion board, however except it is available in a future iOS 17 replace, this rumor is only a rumor.
No point out of Pockets or Dynamic Island updates
Not talked about in any respect throughout WWDC 2023 had been rumored updates to the Pockets app, and extra capabilities for the Dynamic Island. Early iOS 17 testers have been dissatisfied to find that notifications aren’t built-in with the tentpole iPhone 14 Professional function.
What about sideloading?
Surprisingly, there was no point out of sideloading, which was a robust rumor given the timeline of European laws, which requires the power to obtain third celebration app shops by 2024. Though, Gurman stated to count on this as a last minute implementation(opens in a new tab) earlier than the deadline subsequent 12 months.
Gurman additionally predicted the arrival of an AI well being coach, however gave a disclaimer that it’s a long term undertaking.
WWDC 2023 is just not more likely to be the final phrase on Apple updates for this 12 months. There’s nonetheless heaps to find within the developer beta, for starters. Software program updates rolled out all year long have beforehand given Apple customers main new options to discover.
