Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) ended last night without a single mention of an eagerly anticipated mixed reality headset, widely referred to as the Apple Glasses.
The iPhone maker has long been rumoured to be working on a mixed reality headset, which would enable users to see virtual items overlaid on the real world in front of them.
Ahead of WWDC, reports from the US suggested Apple could use the event to preview the device for the first time, along with a new dedicated software platform said to be called RealityOS.
Several disappointed fans have taken to Twitter since the event ended, with one calling it a ‘boring snoozefest.’
‘Apart from the announcement of a redesigned MacBook Air, Apple’s almost two-hour WWDC 2022 keynote was a boring creepy cringeworthy and weird snoozefest,’ the user tweeted.
Another added: ‘And that’s a wrap! Zero mention of Apple Glasses or realityOS. Welp, ok.’
And one joked: ‘Apple better come out with a banging new iPhone this year….it’s getting boring now.’
While Apple didn’t give us a glimpse at any headsets, it did make several other exciting announcements at the event.
Here’s a look at all the biggest news from WWDC 2022, including a glimpse of iOS 16 and a new MacBook Air.
While Apple didn’t give us a glimpse at any headsets, it did make several other exciting announcements at the event. Here’s a look at all the biggest news from WWDC 2022, including a glimpse at iOS 16 and a new MacBook Air
Several disappointed fans have taken to Twitter since Apple’s WWDC event ended, with one calling it a ‘boring snoozefest’
iOS 16
During the event, Apple previewed iOS 16 ahead of its rollout to iPhones later this year.
‘iOS 16 is a big release with updates that will change the way you experience iPhone,’ said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering.
‘We have reimagined how the Lock Screen looks and works with exciting new features that make it more personal and helpful, introduced iCloud Shared Photo Library for families, streamlined communication through new capabilities in Messages and Mail, and harnessed enhanced intelligence with updates to Live Text and Visual Look Up.’
iOS 16 includes a new personalised lock screen experience, with the option for custom widgets, fonts and wallpapers.
Notifications will also now roll up from the bottom of the screen, ensuring users have a clear view of their personalised lock screen.
Within the Messages app, users will be able to edit and unsend messages in iOS 16, and recover recently deleted messages. And in Mail, users will be able to schedule emails.
Live Text is also getting an update in the software update, and will be able to recognise text in videos as well as in images.
One of the most exciting features is Apple Pay Later, which is similar to Klarna, and will launch in the US with iOS 16.
‘Apple Pay Later provides users in the US with a seamless and secure way to split the cost of an Apple Pay purchase into four equal payments spread over six weeks, with zero interest and no fees of any kind,’ Apple said.
Other updates include multistop routing within Apple Maps, shared Tab Groups in Safari and the launch of the Fitness app for users without an Apple Watch.
iOS 16 includes a new personalised lock screen experience, with the option for custom widgets, fonts and wallpapers
MacBook Air
The only piece of hardware announced at WWDC was a new MacBook Air, which features Apple’s updated M2 chip.
The new laptop is just 11mm thick, and comes in at an impressively light 2.7lbs.
Key features include MagSafe charging, two Thunderbolt ports and a headphone jack, as well as Apple’s new powerful M2 processor.
The only piece of hardware announced at WWDC was a new MacBook Air, which features Apple’s updated M2 chip
Apple fans ‘swoon’ over Craig Federighi
While some viewers dubbed the event ‘boring’, others were happily entertained by Craig Federighi, VP of software engineering at Apple.
During the event, Federighi donned a tracksuit during a segment about checking live sports scores, ran in slow motion with a wind machine blowing through his hair, and even entered the presentation suite on a superhero-style descending platform.
Several impressed fans have taken to Twitter to swoon over the VP, with one even calling him ‘sexy.’
‘Oh you sexy beast Craig Federighi,’ one user wrote.
‘I need a full length movie featuring Craig Federighi,’ another added.
And one even joked: ‘Felt like I was watching a superhero movie. Craig Federighi literally started the WWDC2022 as Iron Man and ended it like The Flash! Here we go folks, APPLE MAN!’
Several impressed fans have taken to Twitter to swoon over the VP, with one even calling him ‘sexy’
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‘We’re so excited to bring our new M2 chip to the world’s two most popular laptops — the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro,’ said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.
‘Completely redesigned around M2, MacBook Air is thinner, lighter, and faster with a bigger display, better camera, and all-day battery life, in four beautiful finishes.’
The MacBook Air 2022 has a more squared-off look than its predecessors, which tend to have a wedge-like shape.
It features a 13.6-inch display with 500 nits of peak brightness, with smaller bezels surrounding it than previous models.
A silent, fan-less design is likely to impress Apple fans, as will a 1080p FaceTime HD webcam.
Apple says the MacBook Air is 40 per cent faster than the previous model, thanks to the new M2 chip.
‘MagSafe returns to MacBook Air, giving users a dedicated charging port that is easy to connect, while protecting MacBook Air when it is plugged in by quickly releasing if the charging cable is accidentally pulled,’ Apple said.
A new power adaptor features two USB-C ports, allowing the laptop to quickly charge to 80 per cent in just 20 minutes.
Users can opt for four colour options – silver, space grey, ‘starlight’ gold and ‘midnight’ blue. The MacBook Air will be available in July starting at £1,249 ($1,199).
WatchOS 9
The next software update for the Apple Watch, WatchOS 9, was previewed during the event.
The update includes more watch faces, an updated Workout app, and a new Medications app.
‘Users around the world love Apple Watch for helping them stay connected to those they love, be more active throughout the day, and better manage their health,’ said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer.
‘This fall, watchOS 9 takes the Apple Watch experience to the next level with scientifically validated insights across fitness, sleep, and heart health, while providing users more creative ways to make their Apple Watch their own.’
Users will have four new watch faces to choose from – Lunar, which depicts the relationship between the Gregorian calendar and lunar calendar; Playtime, which features a dynamic piece of art; Metropolitan, a classic watch face; and Astronomy, which features a new star map.
The next software for the Apple Watch, WatchOS 9, was previewed during the event. The update includes more watch faces, an updated Workout app, and a new Medications app
The Workout app has been updated with Custom Workouts, Heart Rate Zones and Multisport mode for triathletes, as well as new running form metrics.
Those hoping to track their sleep will also benefit from the introduction of sleep stages in the Sleep experience on Apple Watch.
One of the biggest updates is a new Medications experience, which helps users track their medications, vitamins and supplements and set up schedules and reminders.
macOS Ventura
macOS Ventura, the upcoming software update for Macs, was also previewed at the event.
‘macOS Ventura includes powerful features and new innovations that help make the Mac experience even better. New tools like Stage Manager make focusing on tasks and moving between apps and windows easier and faster than ever, and Continuity Camera brings new videoconferencing features to any Mac, including Desk View, Studio Light, and more,’ said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering.
‘With helpful new features in Messages, state-of-the-art search technologies in Mail, and an updated design for Spotlight, Ventura has so much to offer and enriches many of the ways customers use their Macs.’
macOS Ventura, the upcoming software update for Macs, was also previewed at the event. The Stage Manager feature will automatically organise apps and windows to ep users concentrate on their work and still see everything in a single glance
The Stage Manager feature will automatically organise apps and windows to help users concentrate on their work and still see everything in a single glance.
Meanwhile, the Continuity Camera will give Mac users the ability to use their iPhone as their webcam.
‘With the power of Continuity, Mac can automatically recognise and use the camera on iPhone when it is nearby — without the need to wake or select it — and iPhone can even connect to Mac wirelessly for greater flexibility,’ Apple explained.
Like with iOS 16, macOS Ventura will allow users to edit or undo messages in the Messages app, and schedule emails in Mail.
Other updates include optimised Weather and Clock apps, new tools to improve security, and new accessibility tools including Live Captions for audio content.
iPadOS 16
Finally, Apple gave us a look at iPadOS 16, which isn’t dissimilar to iOS 16.
‘iPad is our most versatile device, and we’re excited to take what it can do even further with iPadOS 16,’ Mr Federighi added.
Finally, Apple gave us a look at iPadOS 16, which isn’t dissimilar to iOS 16. ‘iPad is our most versatile device, and we’re excited to take what it can do even further with iPadOS 16,’ Mr Federighi added
‘With Stage Manager, which takes multitasking on iPad to a whole new level, plus new ways to share and collaborate via Messages, Safari, and the new Freeform app, and new pro features like Reference Mode and Display Zoom, users can get even more done on iPad.’
The biggest update is a new Freeform app, which provides users with a shared canvas where they can see, share and collaborate with other users all in one place.
Meanwhile, the Weather App is finally coming to iPad, with colourful animations.
Like iOS 16, iPadOS 15 will also include Live Text updates, the ability to edit and unsend messages in the Messages app, and the ability to schedule emails in Mail.
