Apple’s developers’ event WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) 2022 is set to begin at 10:30 pm IST. Hours before the event, Apple takes down its online store to update the site with all the upcoming products. In addition to all the software announcements, Apple is expected to make a few hardware-related announcements at tonight’s launch event.
This year’s WWDC is also an online-only event, which will be streamed from Apple Park in California. Interested people can watch the WWDC 2022 event on Apple’s website, the company’s YouTube channel, or the Apple TV app.
The Apple store currently shows “developing news”, which clearly hints at the coming of the new MacBook Air model and other hardware products. Here’s all that we know about the upcoming MacBook Air so far.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple will launch a new MacBook Air at WWDC 2022 event tonight. Gurman claims that the upcoming MacBook will feature an upgraded M2 chip, which is likely to feature eight CPU cores and 10 GPU cores. The M2 chip is of course expected to be more powerful than the M1 chip, but not as powerful as the M1 Pro/ Max/ Ultra. Apple will refresh its MacBook Air lineup for the first time since 2020 when it launched the M1 MacBook Air.
As far as the leaks and rumours are concerned, the new MacBook Air M2 will sport a 13-inch display. It is likely to sport a design similar to the 14-inch and the 16-inch MacBook Pro. Additionally, the upcoming MacBook is likely to sport a notched display. Gurman previously revealed that the MacBook Air M2 will feature two USB Type-C ports and bring support for MagSafe charging.
The upcoming Macbook Air is expected to launch in multiple colours including — gold, silver, space grey and dark blue.
This event is all about software and developers. What the casual user should look forward to is the new versions of Apple’s various operating systems that power its phones, tablets, watches, computers, media players and, perhaps, other devices.
iOS 16
The new version of iOS will lay the groundwork for the new iPhones coming in September, which are rumored to have Always On Display functionality. The main challenge with this is to keep power usage low and Apple has always been quite good at that.
One screen-related change to keep an eye on is an API allowing for fine-grained control over how the status bar is displayed. A more dynamic system could signal the move away from the notch to other designs.
Apple is also working on an overhaul for the multitasking interface, but the changes will be much more extensive on its tablets.
iPadOS 16
The new OS version reportedly aims to make iPads closer to laptops. Analysts expect changes to the multitasking interface to include free-form resizable windows in addition to the current split-screen system. Even the app switcher will be touched up.
watchOS 9
The new software will reportedly introduce a new power-saving mode. It won’t be as limited as Power Reserve mode as it will still let you use some apps and features while still prolonging battery life. How long? We’ll find out on Monday.
macOS 13 and new Macs
macOS 13, perhaps also to be called “Mammoth”, may see an overhaul of first-party apps, similar to their counterparts on iOS.
And while the WWDC is mostly a software event, some leaksters suggest that Apple could unveil the very first of the M2 Macs. The company will allegedly start with a new MacBook Air, a new Mac mini isn’t out of the question either.
tvOS 16
There might be improvements to smart home controls, but Apple has kept any changes under wraps.
AR/VR
A full reveal of Apple’s rumored VR headset is quite unlikely, but the company could introduce its work on virtual and augmented reality, which has been done behind the curtains so far. A key component of that will be the software that will power future headsets, dubbed rOS.
