After years of development, Apple’s long-talked augmented and virtual reality headset seems almost ready. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company plans to announce the device this spring, ahead of its annual WWDC conference in June. In a sign that the long-awaited launch is finally on the horizon, Apple has reportedly shared the title with some high-profile software developers, giving them a first look at the new “xrOS” software. After announcing the “Reality Pro” in the spring, Gurman expects Apple to launch the device in the fall.
Apple’s rush to release the hood will affect the rest of the company’s 2023 product lineup. On the software front, the next version of the company’s iOS operating system will likely come with “less major changes than originally planned,” as Apple assigns software engineers to the xrOS team. “The same goes for macOS 14,” adds Gurman.
Apple’s hardware plans are even less exciting. There are no “notable” updates planned for the company’s iPad, Apple Watch, and audio device lines. Gurman says new iPad Pro models with OLED screens are on the way, but they probably won’t arrive until 2024. He also warns that the upcoming Mac Pro will be “another disappointment.” The upcoming desktop computer will reportedly have the same design as its 2019 predecessor, and you won’t be able to upgrade the computer’s RAM on your own due to the architecture of Apple’s M-series chipsets.
The company’s only exciting devices could be the new 15-inch MacBook Air and iPhone 15. Gurman says the entire iPhone 15 series will feature Apple’s new Dynamic Island feature and USB-C charging. Pro models will also include new titanium bezels and tactile volume buttons.