WWDC 2023 Rumor Report Card: The Biggest Hits and Misses

Apple made a wide range of hardware and software announcements at its WWDC keynote on Monday, introducing the highly anticipated Vision Pro AR/VR headset, new Macs, iOS 17, macOS Sonoma and more. As usual, there were many rumors leading up to the event that gave us an idea of ​​what to expect, but not all of them were accurate.

Below, we summarize some of the big hits and misses from the WWDC rumor mill.

hit song

• Many hardware-related details about Apple’s headsets have been accurately reported. This includes a wired external battery pack, Ability to see the wearer’s eyesan M2 chip, eye and hand tracking, and an Apple Watch-like digital crown for switching between augmented and virtual reality.
• Apple has announced a 15-inch MacBook Air with an M2 chip.
• Apple has updated Mac Studio with the M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips.
• Apple updated the Mac Pro with the M2 Ultra chip, but it was unclear if it would be announced at WWDC or after.
• The new Mac Pro features the same overall design as previous Intel-based models.
• iOS 17 includes a new standby mode that lets you display information like the time, calendar, widgets, and more while your iPhone is charging in landscape. Although StandBy’s name was never leaked, the feature was rumored to be accurate.
• iOS 17 comes with a new Journal app.
• iOS 17 ends support for iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X.
• Apple has added new mental health and vision health features to its Health app in iOS 17 and extended the app to iPad.
• Apple shortened the phrase “Hey Siri” to “Siri.”
• AirPlay will soon work with supported TVs in hotel rooms.
• watchOS 10 features scrollable widgets and redesigned apps. Take advantage of the large Apple Watch display.

miss

• Reality Pro was considered as a potential name for Apple’s headset based on a trademark filing, but was ultimately named Vision Pro.
• It was reported that Apple’s headset operating system will be named xrOS. It was eventually named visionOS. Apple calls the operating system xrOS in his WWDC session video. So this name may be a placeholder or it may have been changed recently.
• The Vision Pro was widely rumored to cost around $3,000, but it now costs $3,499.
• Vision Pro is expected to launch in early 2024 instead of late 2023. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said at the last minute that he mentioned the possibility of early 2024.
• Rumor has it that Apple’s headset will come in six colors.
• Nearly all claims made by the previously accurate Twitter account @analyst941 are false and iOS 17 included a redesigned Control Center and Wallet app.
• The 15-inch MacBook Air was originally rumored to feature the M3 chip.
• The new MacBook Air has a 15.3-inch display instead of a 15.5-inch display.

With so many rumors shared leading up to WWDC, this list is by no means comprehensive. So feel free to discuss any other hits or misses in the comments section.