from a new macbook air to its VR/AR headset, here's everything apple unveiled at WWDC23

Apple unveils new updates at WWDC 2023

Apple launched a series of anticipated surprises and new updates during the recent Worldwide Developer’s Conference (WWDC) on June 5th, 2023. From the world’s best and thinnest 15-inch Macbook Air down to its first-ever mixed-reality headset dubbed Apple Vision Pro, the tech brand sweeps its fans off their feet with a lineup of products to test and clamor for. It also revealed that Mac Studio and Mac Pro promise a performance powerhouse, equipped with Apple’s faster CPU and GPU called M2 Ultra, which was also introduced during the event.

In time for all of the recent products, Apple also unveiled the entrance of iOS 17, a significant release that enhances the communication and user experience across iPhone, FaceTime, and Messages. It is claimed to make sharing even simpler with AirDrop and offer more intelligent input to improve typing speed and accuracy. iOS 17 also introduces new features such as Journal, an app that enables individuals to practice gratitude, and StandBy, a fresh approach to viewing easily accessible information when their phones are placed down and charging.

Don’t miss out on what Apple announced during the WWDC 2023 and read designboom’s round-up below on what news, products, and updates were introduced at the event.

images courtesy of Apple | new iOS 17 upgrading the experience with a new stickers experience, Live Voicemail, and much more

World’s best and thinnest 15‑inch MacBook Air

Apple introduced a new MacBook Air laptop with a 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display at the WWDC 2023. It has a powerful processor, long battery life, a slim design without a fan, and is considered as the thinnest 15-inch laptop in the world. The laptop has a six-speaker sound system, a high-quality camera, and a large and clear 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display, allowing users to view a lot of content in clearer and sharper quality. Tech-wise, it offers high brightness of up to 500 nits and supports 1 billion colors, resulting in rich and vibrant visuals with sharp text.

Compared to a similar PC laptop, Apple says that the MacBook Air has twice the resolution and is 25 percent brighter, enhancing the overall display experience. It measures only 11.5mm, which makes it the thinnest 15-inch laptop in the world, and is also lightweight, weighing just 3.3 pounds, making it highly portable. Despite its large display, the new MacBook Air is sturdy and long-lasting. It’s nearly 40 percent thinner and half a pound lighter than a comparable PC laptop. It also delivers long battery life of up to 18 hours — 50 percent more than on the PC — even with its peak display and performance.

15‑inch MacBook Air with liquid retina display

Apple Vision Pro, its first AR/VR Headset

Apple Vision Pro revolutionizes visual surroundings by offering a fully immersive interface that can be controlled effortlessly using the user’s eyes, hands, and voice. Once they put on the Vision Pro, they will be able to see their environment and all its visual elements, while the Home View hovers in front of them. The interface is designed to feel tangible, with elements that react to light, create shadows, and accurately represent size and distance.

With Vision Pro, Apple shared during WWDC 2023 that users can explore the web using Safari, revisit cherished moments through photos and videos, and enjoy a cinematic experience with large web pages and stunning videos. Vision Pro works with familiar accessories like Magic Trackpad and Magic Keyboard, making tasks like writing emails more convenient. During FaceTime calls, friends or colleagues will be visible in floating video tiles. Users can also view and share other apps simultaneously. By wirelessly connecting to a Mac, Vision Pro can turn it into a portable 4K display, transforming any location into an immersive workspace.

Apple Vision Pro, the brand’s firsty Ar/VR headset

Mac Studio supports 8k resolution

The new Mac Studio is designed for professionals and offers a wide range of connectivity options. It now includes higher-bandwidth HDMI, supporting up to 8K resolution and 240Hz frame rates. Viewers of the WWDC 2023 watch as Apple shares with them that the new Mac Studio is equipped with the powerful M2 Ultra processor, allowing it to connect up to six Pro Display XDRs, providing an expansive workspace with over 100 million pixels.

It also incorporates advanced wireless technologies, with Wi-Fi 6E offering faster download speeds compared to the previous generation, and Bluetooth 5.3 for connecting to the latest accessories. The back of the Mac Studio features four Thunderbolt 4 ports, a 10Gb Ethernet port, an enhanced HDMI port, and two USB-A ports. Additionally, there are two USB-C ports and an SD card slot on the front for easy import of photos and videos.

Mac Studio gets a boost in performance and enhanced connectivity in its compact design

Mac Pro with m2 ultra

The new Mac Pro brings PCIe expansion to Apple silicon for pros who want the performance of M2 Ultra, Apple’s new chip with a faster CPU and GPU, and rely on internal expansion for their workflows. Mac Pro features seven PCle expansion slots, with six open expansion slots that support Gen 4, which is 2x faster than before, so users can customize Mac Pro with essential cards. The connectivity options, as revealed during the WWDC 2023, have been significantly enhanced in the new Mac Pro.

It now features eight Thunderbolt 4 ports built-in, with six located at the back and two on the top. This is twice the number of ports compared to the previous version. The Mac Pro supports up to six Pro Display XDRs and offers Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for fast wireless connections. In addition to these, it includes three USB-A ports, two high-bandwidth HDMI ports supporting up to 8K resolution and 240Hz frame rates, two 10Gb Ethernet ports, and a headphone jack that is compatible with high-impedance headphones.

Mac Pro is up to 3x faster than the previous-generation Intel-based model, Apple states.

Ipad OS17 at WWDC 2023

The iPad now offers enhanced customization options for the Lock Screen, allowing users to make it more personal, useful, and visually appealing. There are new photo features that enable users to select their favorite images and stylize them in various ways. They can choose a photo from their library, opt for a dynamic set of photos that change throughout the day, or select a Live Photo for a captivating slow-motion effect when waking the iPad.

Users can now also select wallpapers from a gallery specifically designed for the iPad’s large display. They can also customize the appearance of the date and time with a range of font styles and colors, or get creative by designing unique combinations of their favorite emojis and colors. iPadOS has introduced Live Activities too, which allows users to stay updated in real-time right from the Lock Screen. They can receive live updates on sports games, track their travel plans, or monitor the progress of a food delivery order without needing to unlock the device.

iPad OS 17 features a redesigned Lock Screen and interactive widgets

watchOS 10 for apple watch

Apple previews its watchOS 10 during the WWDC 2023, an update for Apple Watch users that brings some cool new features. The apps on the watch have been redesigned, making it easier to see information quickly. There is also a new Smart Stack that displays useful widgets when users need them the most. Apple has also unveiled a series of new watch faces to choose from to make personalization more user-centered.

For cyclists, there are new metrics, Workout Views, and Bluetooth connectivity for power meters, speed sensors, and cadence sensors. Hikers can benefit from new Compass Waypoints and Maps capabilities. The Mindfulness app has also been improved with more tools to support mental health. Developers can try out watchOS 10 as a beta version starting June 5th, 2023, and everyone will get it as a free software update in the Fall of 2023.

Apple dubs watchOS 10 a milestone update for Apple Watch

macOS Sonoma appears at WWDC 2023

Apple has given a sneak peek of macOS Sonoma at the WWDC 2023, the latest version of their advanced computer operating system. It brings a bunch of cool new features to make the Mac experience even better. There are vibrant screen savers and helpful widgets that let users customize their desktops in a whole new way. They can now place widgets right on their desktop and interact with them with just a click. Those plus they can access all the iPhone widgets directly from their Mac too.

In macOS Sonoma, video conferencing is more fun and engaging with new features like Presenter Overlay, which puts the presenter on top of the shared content, and Reactions, which adds cool video effects triggered by gestures. Safari, the web browser, has also been updated with cool stuff. Users can now keep their browsing separate for different topics or projects using Profiles, and access their favorite sites faster with web apps. And for gamers, things have gotten even better with a new Game Mode, exciting new games, and a toolkit that makes it easier for game developers to bring their games to the Mac.

macOS Sonoma, the latest version of the brand’s desktop operating system