Vision Pro, MacBook Air (15-Inch), M2 Ultra, iOS 17, More: Top Announcements From Apple WWDC 2023

Apple kicked off its annual WWDC event with an announcement-packed keynote address led by CEO Tim Cook. Here’s a quick look at the top announcements. [Image credits: Apple; Feature Image: Getty]

WWDC 2023 Apple Top Announcements Launch Photo Gallery Vision Pro MacBook Air 15 Inch M2 Ultra iOS 17 Mac Studio Pro Price Features

Apple Vision Pro: Priced at $3,499, the Vision Pro marks the iPhone maker’s official entry into the AR/VR (mixed reality) space. Sporting two 4K displays, the Vision Pro doesn’t come with a dedicated handheld controller but relies on the user’s eye tracking and hand gestures to operate. A launch is expected early next year.

MacBook Air (15-inch): You may not have asked for it, but here it is anyway. Apple’s latest MacBook Air sports a 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display and the company claims it to be 25 per cent brighter than a “comparable PC laptop”. Weighing in at around 1.5kg, the new MacBook Air is touted to be the world’s thinnest 15-inch laptop at just 11.5mm. Its price starts at Rs 1,34,900. Education users can avail of it for Rs 1,24,900.

M2 Ultra: Apple's latest silicon, the M2 Ultra chip, represents the company’s largest and most advanced chip to date. This cutting-edge technology elevates the new Mac Studio and Mac Pro to unprecedented levels of power, making them the most formidable Mac desktops ever manufactured. Employing a state-of-the-art second-generation 5nm process, the M2 Ultra chip utilizes Apple's groundbreaking UltraFusion technology. By seamlessly connecting the dies of two M2 Max chips, it effectively doubles the performance capabilities, setting a new standard for computing power.

Mac Studio & Mac Pro: Apple also introduced the refreshed Mac Studio lineup, including the powerful M2 Max and the innovative M2 Ultra. These cutting-edge devices offer a significant leap in performance and connectivity, all packed into a remarkably compact design. With Mac Studio, you can experience up to six times the speed compared to the most potent Intel-based 27-inch iMac, and up to three times the performance compared to the previous-generation Mac Studio featuring the M1 Ultra chip. Furthermore, the Mac Pro, now equipped with the M2 Ultra, combines unmatched power from Apple's most advanced chip with the flexibility of PCIe expansion. The new Mac Pro boasts up to three times the speed of the previous-generation Intel-based model. The Mac Studio price starts at Rs 2,09,900, while the Mac Pro starts at Rs 7,29,900.

iOS 17: Continuing its tradition of unveiling a new version of iOS at the annual WWDC conference, Apple has officially announced iOS 17 on June 5. This significant release brings substantial improvements to communication through enhancements to Phone, FaceTime, and Messages. Additionally, iOS 17 introduces exciting new experiences with the Journal app, designed to facilitate gratitude practice, and StandBy, a convenient way to view glanceable information when the iPhone is placed on a charging surface.

iPadOS 17: Apple provided a sneak peek of the highly anticipated iPadOS 17, offering users a plethora of fresh features to enhance their iPad experience. With a focus on personalization, users can now customize the Lock Screen and engage with widgets in innovative ways. Streamlining PDF workflows, the AutoFill feature intelligently identifies and fills fields in forms, while the Notes app introduces an enhanced PDF annotation and collaboration experience. Significant updates have also been made to the Messages app, including an all-new stickers experience. Furthermore, users now have the ability to leave video and audio messages on FaceTime. The Health app, previously exclusive to iPhones, makes its debut on the iPad, providing interactive charts and comprehensive health insights. HealthKit empowers developers to create unique and engaging experiences tailored specifically for the iPad's expansive display.

macOS Sonoma: Apple has introduced macOS Sonoma, the newest version of its desktop OS, bringing with it a host of improvements to the user interface. Notably, interactive widgets, previously introduced in iOS 16, have now made their way to macOS. Moreover, the Continuity feature enables seamless transfer of iOS widgets from iPhones to Macs, provided both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. The macOS Sonoma developer beta is now available. Additionally, a public beta will be released next month, allowing a wider audience to experience the upcoming changes firsthand. The official release of macOS Sonoma is planned for the fall season, bringing enhanced functionality and user experience to Apple desktop users.

watchOS 10: The upcoming watchOS 10 aims to provide Apple Watch users with a fresh and efficient way to access information. Redesigned apps and a new Smart Stack feature will enable users to quickly view relevant widgets when they are most needed. Additionally, watchOS 10 introduces new watch faces to enhance customization options. This update also brings new metrics and Workout Views, catering specifically to cyclists. With added Bluetooth connectivity, power meters, speed sensors, and cadence sensors can now be seamlessly integrated with the Apple Watch. For hikers, the inclusion of Compass Waypoints and enhanced Maps capabilities will provide invaluable assistance. Recognising the importance of mental health, watchOS 10 features the Mindfulness app, which offers additional tools to support overall well-being. Apple has announced that the watchOS 10 developer beta will be available for testing starting June 5. As for the general public, the update will be offered as a free software update in the fall, allowing all Apple Watch users to benefit from its enhancements and features.