Apple’s 33rd Annual Global Developer Conference will begin on Monday, June 6 at 10:00 a.m. Like the 2020 and 2021 events, it will be done digitally only, so it’s free for all developers around the world. world.
The main event will give us a first look at the new operating system updates, including iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, tvOS 16 and watchOS 9, in addition to rumors suggest that we might see some new hardware. Everything we’ve heard about this year’s event is described below.
iOS 16
Most of the rumors about iOS 16 have been vague, so we know little about updating the operating system at this time. In past years, newer versions of iOS have leaked soon and given us an overview of the upcoming feature set, but that hasn’t happened this year.
That said, we’ve heard some rumors about what to expect, with much of the information coming from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who has reliable sources with information about Apple’s plans.
New rumored features
- Revised lock screen with wallpapers that have “widget-like capabilities”.
- There will be “significant” improvements to notifications, although we don’t know any specific details.
- Messaging application with “social network-like functionality” with a specific focus on audio messaging.
- Health application with extended sleep monitoring functionality and medication management. Apple is working on a tool that will allow users to scan their pill bottles in the app, in addition to expecting new women’s health features.
- Apple’s new apps are in the process, with no more specific information.
- Apple is also working on “new ways to interact with the system,” but it’s not clear what that means.
- New types of Fitness + training.
- Apple Music’s classic app with Primephonic-based interface, an app Apple acquired in 2021.
Possible features based on rumors of the iPhone 14
- Screen always active for iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max (will not arrive until September).
- Probably a revamped status bar interface for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max to fit the punch and pill design that is expected to replace the notch on these devices.
- IPhone 14 models are expected to have a car crash detection feature, which will automatically alert emergency services when a collision is detected. This would require a new functionality of iOS 16.
- Apple may also add a satellite-based emergency feature to iphone 14 models, which would be compatible with OSiOS 16. This feature will allow iPhones to send text messages in emergency situations when there is no mobile coverage and to report major emergencies when coverage is unavailable.
- IOS 16 could include support for the purchase feature now, pay later for Apple Pay that Apple is developing.
- Similarly, it could introduce support for the hardware subscription program that will allow customers to pay a monthly fee for an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
For more information on what to expect in iOS 16, we have a summary dedicated to iOS 16.
iPadOS 16
iPadOS 16 will have many of the new features introduced in iOS 16, but Apple is also working on additional iPad-specific features.
With iPadOS 16, Apple aims to make the iPad more like a laptop than a smartphone, and the new iPad software will be one of the most important updates announced at WWDC.
The update will feature a redesigned multitasking interface that makes it easy to share tasks and see which applications are open, as well as allowing users to resize windows. Apple also plans to implement new ways for users to deal with multiple applications at once, in what seems like a much more Mac-like multitasking experience.
macOS 13
We don’t know much about the set of features that will come to macOS 13, as there have been few leaks. It is rumored to include a revised System Preferences interface that will further align it with the Settings app on iphone and iPad, with the update to include individual settings organized by app.
Apple is also expected to update some of the default apps, so we could see improvements to Messaging, Mail, Safari and more. Messages, in particular, are rumored to have similar functionality to social media with enhancements to audio messages. This is a rumor of iOS 16, but Messages usually has parity features across platforms.
As for the name, macOS 13 could be macOS Mammoth, based on Apple’s trademark registrations. Apple in 2013 registered trademarks for many landmarks in California and Mammoth is the one that has remained active for the longest time, although its status is unknown at this time and Apple has chosen some names in the past which were never included in this list, so the denomination is uncertain.
watchOS 9
watchOS 9 will have some updates that affect the day-to-day operation and navigation on the wrist device.
- Updated power saving mode that will allow the use of applications and features while reducing battery usage.
- Enhanced atrial fibrillation detection function with an additional “load”, that is, the frequency with which a person is in a state of atrial fibrillation for a period of time.
- Improving health and monitoring activity.
- More types of training.
- Additional metrics for ongoing workouts.
- Refresh existing clock dials.
tvOS 16
TvOS often doesn’t have as many new features as other operating system updates, and we don’t know much about tvOS 16, but it’s rumored to include new smart home plugins. You may be able to do more with your smart home products using Apple TV after the update is released.
Hardware possibilities
Recent WWDC events have focused solely on software and have not included hardware ads, so it’s unclear if we’ll see any hardware featured at this year’s event. If we do, the devices listed below are the most likely candidates.
MacBook Air
If Apple plans to introduce new Macs at the event, the MacBook Air is the device we’re likely to see, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Markman. Apple has reportedly “intended” to introduce the MacBook Air at the event, but problems with China’s COVID supply chain could prevent Apple from doing so.
The next-generation BookMacBook Air is expected to have a complete overhaul of the MacBook Pro-like design that removes the sharp body. It will be thinner and lighter, and is expected to come in a variety of colors, similar to the iMac. The MacBook Air is expected to have thin white bezels and a matching white keyboard, and could be around 13.6 inches in size.
The MacBook Air is likely to be equipped with a next-generation M2 chip, which is expected to have the same number of computer cores as the M1 (eight), but will include speed enhancements that make it slightly faster. It is also rumored that the graphics have been improved with nine 10-core GPUs, compared to seven or just the current M1 MacBook Air.
The M2 chip will be the first update of the M1 series chips that Apple has been using in Apple’s silicon devices so far. Although many rumors have suggested that the MacBook Air will have a M2 chip, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple could focus on redesign instead of new chip technology.
He said the new generation TSMC N3 and N4P manufacturing processes will not be ready for mass production until 2023, so Apple will only be able to introduce an iterative update that is expected to use the same N5P chip used by on the A15 and M1.
You can find more information about the next-generation MacBook Air in our MacBook Air 2022 guide.
Mac Pro
In 2019, the redesigned modular Mac Pro was shown at WWDC before its release in late 2019, and there’s a chance we might see a similar presentation this year.
Apple’s chief hardware engineer, John Ternus, confirmed at the spring event that a silicon version of Apple’s “Mac Pro” is under construction, and is expected to arrive sometime in 2022.
Maybe Apple could give us a small preview of the Mac Pro before a release later this year.
Rumors suggest that the Mac Pro will have an even more powerful chip than the M1 Ultra used in Mac Studio. It is expected to have up to 40 CPU cores and 128 graphics cores, which would make it twice as powerful as the M1 Ultra.
Apple could introduce a successor M1 Ultra which are in fact two M1 Ultra chips connected, as the same M1 Ultra is essentially two M1 Max chips connected. If this is the case, the next Mac Pro chip will be four times more powerful than the M1 Max.
AR / VR headphones?
Last year there were rumors that Apple’s AR / VR headsets could be seen at a presentation at the 2022 World Developers Conference, but that doesn’t seem to be happening.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo have said that the headphones just aren’t ready to show up right now, as Apple still has trouble resolving them. Kuo believes Apple will launch the headphones in 2023, and Gurman has said Apple has no plans for a “full announcement” of the headphones at WWDC.
That said, a trademark of “realityOS”, the operating system for headphones, was recently unveiled, and includes a foreign filing deadline of June 8, 2022. This is a legal requirement and the date does not appear to be unrelated. with the WWDC. and it is a coincidence.
MacRumors coverage
Apple plans to broadcast the WWDC presentation live on its website, Apple TV and YouTube, but for those who can’t see it, we’ll cover the event on MacRumors.com and on the MacRumorsLive Twitter account. .
We’ll also have detailed coverage of all of Apple’s ads for the rest of the week and as we test the new software.