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Of course any new Apple mixed-reality headset will need a new operating system too – and that’s also expected to launch at WWDC 2023.
According to the likes of Bloomberg’s well-connected Mark Gurman, Apple has settled on the name xrOS, rather than Reality OS as it was originally known. Gurman has also stated that it “will have many of the same features as an iPhone and iPad but in a 3D environment”, and that it will include mixed-reality versions of stock Apple apps such as Safari, Photos, Mail, Messages and Calendar.
So, let’s talk about what Apple is expected to unveil today.
The big story is likely to be around the company’s first proper foray into virtual reality. We don’t know for sure what the Apple VR headset will be called, but the name Apple Reality Pro has been widely shared. And we also have quite a bit of info about what it might be like.
For instance, the rumors suggest it will be expensive – maybe as much as $3,000 (£2,200 / AU$4,400) – and that it will support both VR and mixed reality. We also think it may ship without controllers, that it could have super-high-res displays and that it could well run on an Apple M2 chip of some kind.
We’ve pulled together everything we know about it so far in our Apple VR headset hub.
What will Apple tell us?
Here’s a little secret: in the run-up to the big event, Apple will send invites to a series of post-keynote briefings. While Apple doesn’t reveal the subject matter for any of those meetings prior to the end of what is expected to be a 90-minute keynote, we do use the number of meetings to glean potential topics.
Rarely do we have one meeting. In fact, three-to-five briefings are typical, with one usually per platform. What I’ll be watching for are any extra meetings, ones that don’t seem to align with macOS, iOS, or iPadOS (typical briefing candidates).
I also pay attention to the length of these background briefings. Long ones are usually for the big platforms (iOS). Short ones are for the second-tier players (maybe tvOS). Will I have a meeting about xrOS?
I have no idea. Sadly, even once I know, I can’t really tell you anything about them. But what I learn in those meetings will inform my reporting on all things WWDC 2023.
Good morning and welcome to our WWDC 2023 live blog. We’ll be sharing all the last-minute rumors and news around all things Apple ahead of the event, then bringing you every announcement as it happens from 10am PT today.
