WWDC 2022 Preview: What to expect

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference is coming up on June 6, and the rumor mill is buzzing with all possible announcements. WWDC is Apple’s biggest event of the year, bringing every product update and sometimes unveiling big hardware announcements for booting. So what will happen this year? Here’s a quick summary of all the things we hope and hope Apple will announce at WWDC this year.

WWDC: OS and app updates

One of the things we are going to get is to look at the new operating systems that will be released this fall. ”IOS 16, iPadOS 16, tvOS 16, watchOS 9, and macOS 13. Here’s what we’ve heard so far: Apple’s software plan:

iOS 16

This may be the most important thing Apple releases throughout the year, simply because of the sheer number of iPhone owners across the planet. If you have enough recent iPhone (iOS 15 runs on iPhone 6s, so iPhone 7 or anyone after that would be better to get iOS 16) you will be able to install after the release of the new version of iOS later this year.

But before that, there is a complete beta-test cycle. iOS 16 will be announced at WWDC, then will be released almost immediately as the developer beta (for registered app developers only). Even within you, don’t install it unless you have a second phone.

The rumored new features for iOS 16 include a new lock screen with some interactive information or widgets (which will only get “always on” treatment on the iPhone 14 Pro this fall), significant changes to the notification system, and new Heath and Fitness app features. . Perhaps most importantly, several of Apple’s built-in apps are said to be in line for refresh.

iPadOS 16

An accompanying update for iPad owners, the iPadOS 16 will probably include most of the new features of iOS 16 but will adapt to a larger-screen interface. When Apple named the iPad version of iOS its own “iPadOS” a few years ago, they were mostly the same, and that’s still true today. Nevertheless, the iPad continues to get matching features and interface changes.

However, this year the iPadOS may be detached from iOS. The most important iPad-specific thing we’ve heard from Rumor Mill is a big change in multitasking. This could mean a wholesale change to the many current ways of multitasking on an iPad, or another way to add to the list. It could even mean a mode that allows the iPad to work with floating resizable windows, like the MacBook, when docked. We just have to wait to find the WWDC keynote.

macOS 13

MacOS 12 Monterey’s follow-up should be MacOS version 13, but don’t take it for granted: Apple is almost predictable for a single version number 18 yearsFrom macOS 10.0 (Cheetah) in 2001 to macOS 10.15 (Catalina) in 2019. But the last two releases — macOS 11 Big Sur and macOS 12 Monterey — each new, this nonsense seems to be out of the system now. The whole number increases.

For the California landmark that owes its name to MacOS 13, we’re pleased with the idea that it could be a mammoth, but we’re not sure if Apple would want to associate its operating system with something out of the ordinary. The name also lends itself to widespread expectations, which could be more than what Apple is going to deliver.

As for features, it is rumored that many of the same built-in apps that receive major updates on iOS will also be updated here. System Preferences is said to get a big overhaul that organizes it like the iOS settings app, and there are significant new features that allow your Mac to work with your iPhone and Apple Watch.

Willis Lai / IDG

watchOS 9

The new operating system for the Apple Watch will also be unveiled at WWDC. Compared to the iPhone, iPad and Mac update discussed above, watchOS is a special OS but it can bring important health and fitness features for Apple Watch owners around the world.

Last year’s watchOS 8 update was available for those running Series 3. If you have been to a Series 4 or later, you should be good to get the 2022 update, and the Series 3 could get in the sun for another year.

We’ve heard that watchOS 9 will eventually update some of the existing watch faces, and of course, new faces are always available. WatchOS 9 is also predicted to offer new health and fitness features, but at the moment it is a very simple prediction to make. And like the iPad, due to an update on “System Navigation”. There are lots of watchOS features that we’ll see in watchOS 9, so we’ll take a closer look at the announcement.

TVOS 16

The lowest-profile of the five major Apple operating systems, tvOS is the platform that runs on Apple TV. Last year’s tvOS 15 update added new Siri capabilities, multi-user recommendations, and the ability to screen-share with friends using SharePlay. What will we get this year? We haven’t heard much about it yet, so we’ll find out at WWDC.

homeOS

The Big Five could still become the Big Six as there are rumors that Apple is working on a new brand of OS called HomeOS. Although we’ve got home-related features at WWDC, it will be a new name for software running on HomePod and HomePod Mini, now referred to as HomePod OS. The hassle of rebranding the software suggests that Apple may want to add more post-launch features to homepods in the future.

Remember, since Apple discontinued the full-size homepod last March, it will only run on one device — which raises the question of where the company is going with its smart-home strategy in 2022. Its sleeve? We have to wait and see.

Reality

Before we move on to the hardware, we should bring up the late “realityOS” rumor. A holding company, as an Apple Shell company, speculated that it had filed for a trademark on “realityOS” last year, just days after the WWDC deadline. While we believe that the shell company is probably Apple’s one and the registration is valid, we do not think that we are going to introduce Apple’s mixed-reality headset or “realityOS” operating system. It will be a great surprise, but do not get your hopes.

WWDC: Rumor Hardware

Mac Pro

Over the years, several new Mac Pro models have been released at WWDC and could bring another one this year. It’s been two years since Apple announced plans to move its own Silicon from Intel, when Tim Cook took the stage at WWDC Keynote, and the Mac Pro is the latest Mac to convert. We expect Apple to announce or tease Silicon-based Mac Pros, possibly for a price, with a release date approaching the end of the year. We’re not sure what it will look like, but we know one thing — it will have a crazy-fast processor (or processor).

Mac Mini

There is also a need for an update left in other Intel-powered Mac lineups. The next Mac Mini is said to have a slightly redesigned shell, similar to the newly released Mac Studio (thin only). But the real focus will be on the processor, which many are hoping could be an M1 Pro to give the Mac Mini a lot more power.

I’m happy today

There are some pretty loud rumors about the redesigned new MacBook Air, probably with an M2 chip. The new machine has been rumored since last year and is expected to bring a slimmer design with the new iMac-inspired color and skinner bezel. We may also see a new MacBook Pro with an M2 processor, but it is more likely to appear at the October event.

iMac Pro

Apple also turned off the 27-inch iMac when it launched the Mac Studio, but that doesn’t mean the big iMac is dead. In fact, Apple may launch a new iMac Pro at WWDC with a mini-LED display, thinner bezel and more ports. Maybe they’ll call it iMac Studio?

Pro Display XDR

Rumor has it that the Pro Display XDR could get an update in 2022 and what could be a better place than a new Mac Pro as well as WWDC. Rumor has it that Apple is again working on a 27-inch mini-LED monitor with promotions for LCD replacement. And this time we hope the stand won’t cost $ 999.