Today, Apple kicked off WWDC 2022 with its customary keynote. The company announced both software and hardware at the event, but those looking for the company's rumored mixed reality headset or RealityOS will have longer to wait.
It was also the first in-person event Apple has hosted since the beginning of the pandemic with developers and some press allowed on campus to check out the latest hardware from the company.
Despite the missing headset, there were a ton of exciting announcements at WWDC this year. Check them all out below!
iOS 16
iOS 16 features all-new updates to the lock screen with major customization options, new SharePlay and iMessage features, improvements to Focus and iCloud Photos, and major updates to CarPlay.
"iOS 16 is a big release with updates that will change the way you experience iPhone," said Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering. "We have reimagined how the Lock Screen looks and works with exciting new features that make it more personal and helpful, introduced iCloud Shared Photo Library for families, streamlined communication through new capabilities in Messages and Mail, and harnessed enhanced intelligence with updates to Live Text and Visual Look Up."
The Wallet app also got some huge updates with order tracking, more states that allow you to add your ID, and Apple Pay Later, the company's new pay for it later service.
Everything you need to know about iOS 16
iPadOS 16
iPadOS 16 has improvements including major updates for Apple silicon iPads through new multitasking and Stage Manager, as well as an update for Safari and Mail.
"iPad is our most versatile device, and we're excited to take what it can do even further with iPadOS 16," said Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering. "With Stage Manager, which takes multitasking on iPad to a whole new level, plus new ways to share and collaborate via Messages, Safari, and the new Freeform app, and new pro features like Reference Mode and Display Zoom, users can get even more done on iPad."
New collaboration features allow users to work together across a range of apps with ease, and the new Freeform app lets you work together across a limitless canvas. Even the Weather app is finally coming to the iPad!
Everything you need to know about iPadOS 16
macOS Ventura
The Mac got a big update today with macOS Ventura. The latest version of macOS adds features like Stage Manager, which makes it easy to focus and stay productive. It also added Continuity Camera, which lets you use your iPhone as the webcam for your Mac.
"macOS Ventura includes powerful features and new innovations that help make the Mac experience even better. New tools like Stage Manager make focusing on tasks and moving between apps and windows easier and faster than ever, and Continuity Camera brings new videoconferencing features to any Mac, including Desk View, Studio Light, and more," said Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering. "With helpful new features in Messages, state-of-the-art search technologies in Mail, and an updated design for Spotlight, Ventura has so much to offer and enriches many of the ways customers use their Macs."
Handoff is coming to FaceTime, which lets you start a FaceTime call on another device and then hand it off to your Mac. Apple also unveiled Passkeys, its idea of a password-less future.
Everything you need to know about macOS Ventura
watchOS 9
watchOS didn't get a ton of love at WWDC, but there were some notable updates. watchOS 9 brought some new watch faces. It also added a new health feature that lets users track how long an instance of AFib lasts. It also added the ability to track and manage your medications.
"Users around the world love Apple Watch for helping them stay connected to those they love, be more active throughout the day, and better manage their health," said Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer. "This fall, watchOS 9 takes the Apple Watch experience to the next level with scientifically validated insights across fitness, sleep, and heart health, while providing users more creative ways to make their Apple Watch their own."
The latest version of watchOS also added some new workout features, especially for those that are into running. The workout app can now track metrics like Stride Length, Ground Contact Time, and Vertical Oscillation.
Everything you need to know about watchOS 9
M2
Apple has a brand new Apple silicon chip with 8 cores, including 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores. It also features 10 GPU cores and offers an 18% increase in power on the current M1. From Apple:
"M2 starts the second generation of M-series chips and goes beyond the remarkable features of M1," said Johny Srouji, Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Technologies. "With our relentless focus on power-efficient performance, M2 delivers a faster CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine. And along with higher memory bandwidth and new capabilities like ProRes acceleration, M2 continues the tremendous pace of innovation in Apple silicon for the Mac."
You can learn more about the M2 processor in our announcement coverage.
MacBook Air
Apple has announced the long-expected redesign to the MacBook Air.
The new MacBook Air features a new design that is similar to the new MacBook Pro models. It increased the display size to 13.6-inches and features a new Liquid Retina Display. The new laptop features MagSafe charging and even fast charging (as long as you purchase a compatible charger).
"We're so excited to bring our new M2 chip to the world's two most popular laptops — the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "Completely redesigned around M2, MacBook Air is thinner, lighter, and faster with a bigger display, better camera, and all-day battery life, in four beautiful finishes. Only with Apple silicon can you build such a thin and light notebook with a fanless design, and this combination of performance and capabilities. M2 also comes to the 13-inch MacBook Pro, featuring incredible performance, ProRes acceleration, up to 24GB of memory, and up to 20 hours of battery life — making our most portable pro notebook even better."
iMore's Gerald Lynch went hands-on with the new MacBook Air at WWDC earlier today. Check out his hands-on review.
Everything you need to know about the new MacBook Air
MacBook Pro
The 13-inch MacBook Pro also received an update at WWDC this year. The latest generation of the laptop now comes with an M2 chip, increasing the performance while maintaining battery life. Otherwise, the notebook features the same design including the Touch Bar and current chassis.
You can learn about the new MacBook Pro with our announcement coverage.
That's everything that Apple had to unveil during its keynote, but it is sure to keep things coming throughout the week. It is WWDC after all!
