Apple Vision Pro is Apple’s new AR headset
Apple has announced a new augmented reality headset called Apple Vision Pro, which blends the real and digital world. The device is primarily an AR device but can switch between augmented and full virtual reality using a dial. It features a separate battery pack and is controlled with eyes, hands, and voice. The headset supports Bluetooth accessories and lets you connect your Mac to use inside the headset. It uses passthrough video that lets you see the real world in full color but also projects 3D objects into real space. Its primary competitor will likely be Meta's Quest 2 headset.
Apple announces macOS Sonoma with support for desktop widgets and screensavers
Apple has announced the latest version of its desktop operating system, macOS Sonoma, at WWDC 2023. The new features include support for widgets on the desktop and moving screensavers that can also serve as wallpaper. Widgets are interactive and can be accessed from an iPhone if both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. There is also a new "Game mode" for Mac with reduced audio latency for AirPods and double Bluetooth sampling rate when using Xbox and PlayStation controllers with Macs. Additionally, there are improvements to videoconferencing with Presenter Overlay feature and AR effects that can be used across any videoconferencing app. General availability is expected later this year after developer beta testing in the coming weeks.
Apple’s iPadOS 17 adds personalized lock screen and interactive widgets
Apple previewed the upcoming iPadOS 17 at WWDC 2023, which will include features such as personalized lock screens, interactive widgets, expanded AirDrop capabilities, and smarter autocorrect for text input. The Notes app and PDF annotation will also receive updates with new machine learning models to identify fields in a PDF. Additionally, iPadOS 17 will bring over the Health app and allow Live Activities display like iOS. However, some power users may be underwhelmed by Stage Manager's performance on multitasking flexibility since its debut last year.
Apple announces iOS 17 with Journal app, Standby mode, FaceTime voicemail, and much more
Apple Inc. has announced the release of iOS 17, which includes new features such as personalized contact posts, Live Voicemail voice-to-text transcription, and FaceTime messages. The Messages app has also been improved with more accurate search results and the ability to reply by swiping on any chat bubble. Additionally, there is a new feature called "Check In" that allows you to notify your family members when you have safely arrived at your destination, and the iMessage app is now "elegantly tucked away." The keyboard has also been upgraded with a "Transformer Language Model" to enhance predictive capabilities and support custom vocabulary and phrases. Journal is an application that uses on-device machine learning technology to provide personalized diary suggestions and ensures end-to-end encryption for privacy protection. iOS 17 will be released as a developer beta and public beta in the summer, with an official release for iPhone users in the fall.
Apple unveils new Mac Studio and brings Apple silicon to Mac Pro
Apple has announced the release of two new Macs, the Mac Studio and Mac Pro, both featuring Apple silicon. The Mac Studio is a compact design with M2 Max and M2 Ultra processors that deliver enhanced performance and connectivity. It is up to 6x faster than Intel-based iMacs and up to 3x faster than previous-generation models. The Mac Pro features an M2 Ultra processor with PCIe expansion capabilities for demanding workflows. Both devices are designed with environmental sustainability in mind, using recycled materials and consuming less energy than their counterparts. They come equipped with macOS Ventura, which takes full advantage of Apple silicon's breakthrough performance capabilities.
Virtual Reality Crypto Tokens Surge Ahead of Apple's Anticipated VR Headset Release
The virtual reality sector of cryptocurrency has experienced a surge of over 7.9% in the past 24 hours, as investors anticipate Apple's upcoming VR headset reveal. Apple's share price has also risen by 7.4% in the past two weeks, coinciding with the rise in virtual reality and metaverse crypto tokens. Despite the wider crypto market shedding 1.5% of its value over the past 24 hours, Decentraland (MANA) and Wilder World (WILD) have both seen gains, with WILD soaring by 18.8% in the past 24 hours. The metaverse sector has recently experienced a bounce, with a total of $905 million in trading volume exercised on metaverse tokens over the past 24 hours and an overall market cap of $8.65 billion.
Apple’s new 15-inch MacBook Air is the ‘world’s thinnest’
Apple has announced a new 15-inch MacBook Air at its Worldwide Developers Conference, claiming it to be the world's thinnest 15-inch laptop. The device is just 11.5mm thick and weighs over three pounds, with two USB-C Thunderbolt ports, a MagSafe charging connector, and a headphone jack. It will come in Midnight and starlight colors and features a 15.3-inch screen with five-millimeter bezels that have 500 nits of brightness. The laptop comes with Apple's M2 chip and starts at $1,299 ($1,199 for education), delivering up to 18 hours of battery life while being fanless in design.
Apple Is Expected To Release the Following Products at WWDC23 Tomorrow
Apple Is Expected To Release the Following Products at WWDC23 Tomorrow:
Apple Savings Customers Report Severe Delays in Withdrawing Deposits due to Goldman Sachs' Anti-Money Laundering Efforts
Customers of Apple's new savings service, launched in partnership with Goldman Sachs, are experiencing significant delays in withdrawing or moving their deposits. The funds are being held under "security review" to ensure depositors are not involved in criminal money laundering. This delay is particularly frustrating for customers who deposited large amounts, as Apple has been heavily marketing the above-average interest rate on its savings service. The incident highlights a larger shift in traditional banking towards an increasingly automated and disinterested approach to retail depositors. This, combined with an opaque anti-money laundering regime, raises questions about whether bank deposits truly belong to the customer.
Apple Announces $3,000 Mixed Reality Headset With Potential for 3D Printed Electronics
Apple has finally unveiled its first mixed reality headset, the Apple Reality Pro, which combines augmented and virtual reality and is priced at $3,000. The incorporation of Aerosol Jet technology into the design could revolutionize the consumer electronics industry, allowing for a smaller and more lightweight product. Meta, the social media-turned-metaverse giant, may also be utilizing this technology to shrink the size of its devices, including the newest Quest Pro headset. As both companies release new headsets, the use of electronics 3D printing will likely become more widespread and could lead to a shift in global manufacturing.
