Apple is preparing for its annual developer conference, WWDC 2022, which will take place this June. The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference is an event where Apple executives demonstrate the next generation of operating systems that power all of the company’s devices. These devices include iPads, Macs, iPhones, Apple Watches, and Apple TVs.
WWDC, like prior Apple events, will be streamed live online. When it comes to guessing what significant new features Apple may introduce in 2022, this announcement is essentially the starting pistol.
Apple will not only show off the next main aspects of its new software, but it will also provide developer betas for each major OS update shortly after the keynote. In the coming months and weeks, more reliable public betas will be issued, and in the fall, the final versions will be delivered alongside new hardware.
However, new hardware could be unveiled at WWDC 2022, with the MacBook Air 2022 and a likely hint of the Apple VR/AR headset topping the list.
What will you see here?
WWDC 2022 dates
The World Wide Web Conference 2022 begins on June 6 and closes on June 10. On June 6, the annual keynote address and State of the Union videos will be released. The keynote would be the more public-facing of the two videos, whilst the State of the Union is oriented primarily toward developers.
The keynote for WWDC 2022 has been set at 6 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. PT/1 p.m ET on June 6. The event will most likely be broadcast live on Apple’s WWDC website, Apple TV app, and Youtube channel. The keynote invitation above contains five silhouettes in the Apple logo’s colors, as well as the phrase “Swiftly Approaching.” That’s a play on the Swift programming language, which is used by Apple’s software developers to create new features. During WWDC 2022, the Apple Design Awards will be given as well.
Software
macOS 13
Macs have been more integrated with the Apple ecosystem in recent years than they have ever been. This is true not only for iPad apps that run on Apple Silicon Macs but also for Universal Control, which allows users to use a similar mouse and keyboard on both Macs and iPads.
How is macOS 13 going to boost the ante? We’re not certain, but if there’s one thing we can be certain of, it’s that Apple will continue to provide reasons for you to stay in the macOS environment.
iPadOS 16
This is an intriguing one. In iPadOS 15, multitasking was enhanced, and widgets were a welcome addition, but many people may have been frustrated by the iPad’s reluctance to grow more Mac-like.
However, since the iPad Air 2022 includes an M1 chip, WWDC 2022 appears to be as good a time as any to reveal that iPads may now run Mac software.
The excellent thing is that the iPadOS 16 is rumored to provide a true desktop with resizable windows. Furthermore, putting in a keyboard and mouse would allow the software to be instantaneously shrunk down, making them seem more laptop-like. In another word, with iPadOS 16, your iPad may finally be able to take the place of your laptop.
iOS 16
Both the Health app & how iPhones handle alerts are expected to see big updates in iOS 16. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims as much.
Many of its major features will most likely be shared with other Apple OS devices, just as is the case with iOS 15. Take, for example, Live Text (which lets one choose text in photographs) and SharePlay (which allows one to remotely co-watch a television or movie); these are Apple features as well as iPhone features.
iPhone users frequently boast about how their devices receive updates for years on end. According to a leak, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, may not be welcomed to iOS 16.
Focus Modes are among our favorite features in iOS 15, but if you question elsewhere online, there’s a notion that Apple might do better in this area.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, iOS 16 could include mentions of Apple’s long-rumored AR/VR headgear. Even though we are not sure what features this would entail, getting formal confirmation of the headset would be significant.
watchOS 9
More health and fitness advancements, as well as interactions with Apple’s HomeKit, Apple Fitness Plus, and Apple Wallet, were speculated to be announced at WWDC 2022 when we wrote about watchOS 9.
We’re really expecting the iPhone’s Health app to make an appearance on the Apple Watch. Because the Apple Watch already gathers a lot of data for this application, it’s the ideal place for it. Also, an Apple Watch Notes App would be fantastic.
tvOS 16
There are no reports regarding what tvOS 16 will include, but we do have two expectations. First and foremost, is it possible for Apple to provide support for external webcams in the Apple TV? FaceTime SharePlay forces you to juggle your Apple devices without it.
Secondly, introduce split-view mode from the iPad and Mac. Consider it a supercharged version of picture-in-picture. The multi-stream view is available on Fubo TV. Moreover, any sports lover or anyone wanting to watch two or more channels at the same time will tell you that this is a tremendous help.
Hardware
Apple is rumored to be introducing its next Mac Pro and/or an AR/VR headset at WWDC to allow developers time to create applications and experiences for the devices before they launch.
Mac Pro
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who is known for being accurate about Apple’s plans, claimed in February that Apple has Macs ready to debut in May or June, implying that something could be announced at WWDC.
We believe Apple is working on a new Mac Pro featuring the most powerful Apple silicon chips yet. Details were revealed at WWDC the last time Apple had such a major Mac Pro refresh. It would sound right for Apple to show off the Mac Pro at WWDC before releasing it in the fall to give developers time to create professional software for the new CPUs.
AR/VR Headset
Although the Apple VR/AR headset isn’t clamoring for a WWDC 2022 announcement, we have to question how much time Apple will provide third-party software developers to produce applications. According to recent speculations, the headset will be released in 2023. So we don’t expect to see final gear at WWDC 2022. However, Apple could show the rumored realityOS that would operate on the headset. And iOS 16 is said to have a lot of connections to Apple’s future AR/VR headset.
Furthermore, we’ve learned that Apple may register a trademark for realityOS by June 8. That is just two days after the start of WWDC 2022. As a result, it’s possible that Apple may offer us a sneak peek at their next AR/VR headset.
Apple Park Viewing Party (In-Person)
Despite the fact that WWDC 2022 will be held entirely online, Apple plans to organize an in-person viewing event for a limited group of students and developers at Apple Park. The in-person component is characterized as a “special day” on June 6. It will gather certain attendees to watch the event on Apple’s campus.
Apple enables developers and students to register for a chance to attend the viewing party at Apple Park. However, seating was limited. Between May 9 and May 11, developers could join the lottery for a seat. Those that were chosen have been notified.
The keynote event will begin at 10:00 a.m. P.T., followed by the Platforms State of the Union at 1:00 p.m. P.T. Apple will also conduct its annual Apple Design Awards at 5:00 p.m. Though it is unclear whether this will be aired as part of the event.
Swift Student Challenge
Every year at WWDC, Apple hosts a Swift Student Contest. This is a coding challenge in which students must create a Swift Playgrounds 4 project on a theme of their choice.
In previous years, students who won the Swift Student Challenge earned an invitation to the in-person WWDC event. However, this year’s victors will receive WWDC 2022 outerwear, a customized WWDC 2022 pin set. Moreover, a 1-year membership in the Apple Developer Program because WWDC is now digital.
The deadline for applications was April 24 at 11:59 p.m. P.T., and winners were announced on May 24 at the end of the day. Apple’s developer website has further information about the challenge.
Conclusion
Each year, Apple gives a keynote session to kick off the Worldwide Developers Conference, introducing new software and, sometimes, new hardware. Apple’s 2020 and 2021 keynotes were all about software, with no mention of hardware, so it’s uncertain whether we’ll witness hardware this year.
The event will be broadcast live on Apple.com, the Apple Developer website, the Apple Developer app, Apple TV, and YouTube.
