What to Expect at Apple’s Annual Developer Conference

Apple will hold its annual developer conference this week, where it is expected to showcase new software for its most popular devices and possibly give the top tip on a new product that has long been rumored to be in development.

At its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2022), which starts virtually this Monday (6) and runs until Friday (10), Apple is expected to show its latest operating system, iOS 16, which could include a revamped notification center and lock screen for iPhones, as well as new features for Apple health and also social features for iMessage.

Other rumors point to new features of the TV OS operating system, which can be linked to the smart home; an update to the Apple Watch OS, which would increase battery life; and a new MacBook Air.

Some analysts also hope that Apple can offer an early look at a platform it calls RealityOS. The system can power the mixed reality headset – a device said to be capable of both virtual and augmented reality – which Apple is rumored to have been working on for years.

Daniel Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, has taken to calling the alleged product “Apple Glasses”, in an apparent allusion to Google’s initial and failed foray into smart glasses. In a note to investors this week, Ives said he expects Apple to “get right on a number of AR/VR (Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality) technologies for developers that the company plans to introduce.”

“Ultimately, this strategy is laying the breadcrumbs for the highly anticipated AR Apple Glasses, which is likely to debut before the holiday season or early 2023,” he said.

Cook has long talked about Apple’s vision to delve deeper into Augmented Reality, calling it “the next big thing” and “a critically important part of Apple’s future.” Whether this is the year Apple will finally show its cards for that future, however, is anyone’s guess.

The Apple event will be broadcast live on the company’s own website, via YouTube and other social media platforms. It is scheduled to start at 14:00 (Brasilia time). Here’s a more detailed look at what to expect:

iPhone lock screen gets an update

Similar to last year, iOS 16’s features aren’t expected to be major changes, but some additions could breathe new life into the user experience.

According to Bloomberg, Apple is expected to make messages more social and interactive, in addition to revamping the notification system and lock screen with a greater focus on widgets (windows on the home screen that allow you to quickly see some information from a application).

Ramon Llamas, research director at IDC Research, said Apple could create a valuable opportunity for developers by rethinking lock screen space to move away from static text and email notifications and towards interactive experiences like schedule, weather forecast and news.

“Think of all the things and widgets you can see at a glance without having to open your iPhone,” Llamas said. “Now connect them to your home screen. It’s a part of the iPhone experience that’s been pretty much the same and would benefit from an upgrade.”

Updates for iPad and Mac Software

Regarding iPadOS, Apple is expected to double the multitasking capabilities to enhance its own powerful M1 processor. According to Bloomberg, the update could make the iPad look more like a laptop and less like a cell phone.

Apple is also set to unveil its latest Mac OS, which is rumored to be called the Mac Mammoth. It will be able to offer updates to apps like Mail, Notes and Safari, and similar social functionality in Messages to what’s supposedly coming to iPhones.

Apple may add home automation improvements to the HomePod smart speaker and Apple TV, as well as the broader HomeKit ecosystem. It is also possible that Apple will announce an update to the Apple Watch OS, with the promise of new features for health, exercise and activity progress shown on the watch.

hardware improvements

If Apple’s previous developer conferences are any indication, the company is unlikely to unveil major new hardware products at this year’s event. But it’s possible that Apple could spotlight its next-gen M2 chip and discuss some developer opportunities around it. For example, Apple could unveil a new MacBook Air showing what the system would be capable of with its latest internal processor.

“Usually new hardware comes out at the end of the year, so don’t be disappointed if you don’t see something,” Llamas said. “But even if Apple does, I think the biggest news is not the hardware itself, but Apple’s own silicon that powers them.”

A look at the future of Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR)

The big wildcard for WWDC 2022 is whether Apple will make a gaudy announcement around augmented reality or focus on more incremental updates.

Instead of revealing a mixed reality goggle now, Apple could describe how developers can use its existing ARKit platform and its programming language, Swift, to create content for AR and VR widely. (Apple’s tagline for the event is “Swiftly approaching.” The company often hides clues in images and in the taglines on its event invites.

“It is quite possible that the company will tease new AR/VR capabilities without revealing a new device,” said Eric Abbruzzese, director of research at ABI Research. But, as he notes, it would be unusual for Apple to show a new software system for a line of hardware that has yet to be revealed.

“It would be like revealing iOS rather than showing iPhone,” added Abbruzzese.

While it’s unclear whether Apple will lay the groundwork for a bigger push around AR/VR hardware, it’s quite likely that Apple executives will devote much of their presentation to software around these technologies.

“Apple has been developing ARKit for mobile devices for years,” said Abbruzzese. “A lot of that will absolutely translate to your smart glasses.”