Every year, Apple hosts the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) at its California HQ to show its latest software and hardware. In 2023, Apple is expected to make multiple significant announcements at WWDC, including potentially one of the biggest product reveals in its history.
Last year saw Apple reveal the powerful M2 chip that saw advancements across the MacBook range, alongside major software updates including iOS 16 and WatchOS 9. As is often the case, Apple remains tight-lipped about exactly what it’s showing at WWDC 2023, but reports indicate we’re in for a big show.
This year’s event tagline is “code new worlds”, strongly hinting at the mixed reality headset that’s long been in development. We’ll find out for certain soon enough, so here’s everything you need to know in the meantime.
When is WWDC 2023?
Taking place online and in person at Apple Park in Cupertino, WWDC 2023 starts on 5 June and runs until 9 June Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). Day one is what most of us are waiting for, with the Apple Keynote delivered on 5 June at 10 am PDT.
This is when we’ll see the first announcements and details of the new devices and software updates. Throughout the rest of the week, media will report on hands-on briefings, while software developers learn more about making apps using new technologies.
Apple Keynote Australian times
You can watch the keynote address online via Apple’s website and YouTube. Here in Australia, you’ll need to get up early if you want to catch the presentation live:
- Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart: 3:00 am Tuesday 6 June AEST
- Adelaide: 2:30 am Tuesday 6 June ACST
- Perth: 1:00 am Tuesday 6 June AWST
Platforms State of the Union Australian times
After the main keynote, Apple hosts a developer-specific briefing, going deeper into the new technology. This one takes place on 5 June at 1:30 pm PDT and streams via the Apple Developer App and Apple Developer website.
- Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart: 6:30 am Tuesday 6 June AEST
- Adelaide: 6:00 am Tuesday 6 June ACST
- Perth: 4:30 am Tuesday 6 June AWST
Apple Design Awards Australian times
WWDC 2023 is also when we learn the winners of the Apple Design Awards across multiple categories. This year’s finalists include various apps ranging from games to well-being tools made to help improve your health. On 5 June at 6:30 pm PDT, we’ll learn who the winners are, and here are the Australian times:
- Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart: 11:30 am Tuesday 6 June AEST
- Adelaide: 11:00 am Tuesday 6 June ACST
- Perth: 9:30 am Tuesday 6 June AWST
What will Apple announce at WWDC 2023?
Thanks to the work of journalists with well-placed sources, we already have a fair idea of what to expect. Bloomberg reporter Marc Gurman has teased several updates as the event draws closer, and major Apple-centric news sites have also shared similar information.
In a nutshell, Apple’s expected to finally announce its mixed reality headset, a combined VR and AR device that’s been in development for years. It’ll be the first new product category in years from the major tech company, which has pundits excited. Expect to also see major software platform updates across the board, and some other hardware reveals too.
A brand-new mixed reality VR/AR headset
Apple is finally ready to show the world its mixed reality headset after years of development and testing. There was even talk of the device getting a reveal last year but it clearly wasn’t ready for public consumption from the company’s perspective.
In Gurman’s latest report, the device reportedly comes with its own bespoke operating system, an M2 processor, and two 4K screens. Expect to see an Apple Watch-like crown on the headset for swapping between VR and AR modes, In VR, your vision will be completely shut off from the outside world, while AR will blend projected imagery with your surroundings.
Gurman believes that Apple will price its mixed reality headset around the US$3,000 mark (roughly AU$4,500), so it’s not for your everyday consumer. At this price point, adoption will be slow as Apple feels out the market and plays the long game.
Further adding credibility to a WWDC 2023 reveal for the headset is that several VR-focused publications have been invited to the event for the first time. With new specialist media in attendance at WWDC, it’s further evidence of a big announcement happening.
Apple to reveal new Mac devices at WWDC 2023
Another widely speculated announcement is that we’ll see several new Mac models this year. This includes a 15-inch MacBook Air similar in design to the existing Air range. Gurman also reported that new Mac Studios aren’t far away either.
Whether at WWDC or not, Apple is expected to soon show a Mac Studio running on the powerful M2 Max chip announced earlier this year. Additionally, a new, even more powerful, M2 Ultra chip will be an option with the upcoming Mac Studios.
There’s even talk of development on the next-gen M3 processors, although this is still a while away.
Software updates galore, including iOS 17
It wouldn’t be a WWDC without plenty of software announcements. At WWDC 2023, reports indicate that we’ll see iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 17, and watchOS 10. That’s a lot of operating system updates.
Aside from the previously-announced accessibility features, iOS 17 and iPad OS 17 should bring multiple changes, including cross-device functionality with the mixed reality headset. Other additions range from a revised lock screen experience with more real-time information and smart home functionality, to more vision and mental health-related features in the Health app.
There’s also good news for wearable fans because watchOS 10 sounds like a big one. We’ll see widgets become a core part of the Apple Watch experience, and new app designs that fully use the larger displays of recent models. On the other hand, macOS 14 is reported to be more of an incremental upgrade, focusing on compatibility with other hardware OS upgrades.
We’ll know the full details of each once the WWDC 2023 keynote airs.
Those are the main details we know so far about WWDC 2023. We’ll have people at Apple Park reporting directly from the event so you get all the details about the new expected hardware and software. Who knows, maybe there’ll be a surprise along the way?
For now, let us know if there’s anything you want us to take a closer look at. It’s an exciting time to be a tech fan, with plenty to look forward to in the coming months.
