Apple Inc.’s $3,499 Vision Pro headset stole the show Monday as Apple kicked off its annual WWDC event.
Chief Executive Tim Cook and other executives showed off the next chapter of Apple
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technology — “spatial computing” — during a keynote event that failed to maintain Apple’s record stock price. Shares had been on track to close at an all-time high before the event began, but were trading in the red once the event wrapped.
While the Vision Pro and its eye-popping price tag was the biggest news from the presentation, Apple also teased forthcoming software enhancements and new Mac computers.
Here’s everything that was announced Monday.
The Vision Pro headset
Apple was widely expected to roll out a mixed-reality headset at Monday’s event, but the announcement still brought a few surprises.
While Apple was rumored to be planning a price tag in the range of $3,000 for its new Vision Pro headset, the actual price of $3,499 was higher. Also, Apple won’t be selling the device until early next year, later than expected, in a move that means the company will miss the holiday season.
The company spent ample time during Monday’s presentation showing off what the Vision Pro can do in terms of bringing photographs, movies and everyday web browsing into physical spaces. Though the company discussed some gaming applications, and a partnership with Unity Software Inc.
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executives didn’t dwell on gaming and focused the immersive experience more fully.
See MarketWatch’s enhanced coverage of the Vision Pro launch here.
New iPhone software
Apple’s iPhone software enhancements are typically a focus of WWDC, an event aimed at developers who create apps for that and other Apple platforms. This year’s update — iOS 17 — will feature new ways to share contact information, journal and make use of the iPhone while it’s locked.
With iOS 17 this fall, Apple users will also be able to set up contact “posters” for themselves, which will appear in full screen when they call others. They’ll be able to see live transcriptions of voice mails so they can determine whether to pick up calls they initially ignored.
See MarketWatch’s full guide to the new iOS 17 features here.
A 15-inch MacBook Air
Apple is making the MacBook Air bigger with a new 15-inch model that features the company’s M2 chip. This version will start at $1,299 and become officially available next week, though preorders begin today. The device gets 18 hours of battery life, is 11.5-millimeters thin and weighs just over 3 pounds.
Mac Pro and Mac Studio
Apple had set out to infuse its personal-computer lineup with custom chips, and the company rounded that out Monday with new Mac Pro and Mac Studio devices that feature Apple Silicon processing. The Mac Studio will start at $1,999, and the Mac Pro will begin at $6,999.
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New iPad software
Apple will refresh its iPad software as well, with a new custom lock screen, widget enhancements, machine-learning tools that help with PDF editing and better annotation functions for PDFs. Plus, users will be able to at last set multiple timers.
New Mac software
Apple plans to upgrade its Mac operating system as well with a new version that will be called Sonoma. A key feature of this update is a redesign of the widgets function, giving users the ability to place widgets on their home screens and see these automatically fade when necessary so they don’t become distracting.
The new Sonoma operating system will add various tools for web presentations, including a feature that lets people appear as overlays on top of their presentation content and new reaction animations that can show balloons and confetti in response to meeting content.
Within Safari, family members will be more easily able to share passwords. The company will also let people create separate profiles for home, work, and school use of a Mac.
Audio and video improvements
Apple is adding Adaptive Audio to help AirPods users drown out distracting sounds when appropriate. The technology will proactively lower outside volume when someone is on a call and detect when someone is talking to a real-life companion in order to lower music volume for the duration of the conversation.
Within video, Apple will let people use their phone cameras to engage in FaceTime conversations shown on an Apple TV. The company will also support AirPlay connectivity at hotels.
Apple Watch software enhancements
WatchOS 10, the new Apple Watch operating system, will let users retain their aesthetic watch faces but twist the digital crown to see widgets for information like weather, timers and events. The company is also looking to make the Apple Watch more useful for cyclists with advanced tracking features. One part of this allows users to pair an iPhone and see cycling data on the phone’s lock screen, which can be useful for those who dock their phones on a bike while also wearing the watch.
Watch owners will receive a new hiking app as well, which will let users see elevation data and topographical information.
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