 It All Happens Monday

Apple’s Biggest Event in Years

Monday, June 5th at 1 pm ET, Apple will hold its annual WWDC Keynote, and it’s going to be a big one. Not only has it been over nine months since the last Apple event, the iPhone 14 launch, but all signs point to a few massive announcements.

Every year at WWDC, Apple shows off all the next versions of iOS, macOS, and any new software features across their platforms. But sometimes, Apple uses its massive platform to announce some major new hardware. This year, it looks to be Apple’s first foray into the VR headset market.

Any images and renders you see today are speculation based on rumors, but multiple reliable sources, and long-time Apple pundits, are all expecting a headset announcement. The reason it would happen at WWDC is the hardware device will come paired with developer tools to build apps, games, and VR experiences for the headset likely available late this year.

Info from the Inside

I’m no leaker, but I do know a few people attending WWDC in person next week, and they’ve received invites for a lengthy briefing. When Apple announces new hardware, select press and event attendees will be invited to behind-closed-doors briefings, which often translate to new product demos.

Next week, those briefings will be over an hour long. Longer than necessary for simple software announcements or a spec upgrade for new Macs. While these briefings may also include the long-anticipated and promised, Apple Silicon Mac Pro, even that wouldn’t require over an hour to brief.

Another piece of data that points to a new, and very different, product announcement.

I will be publishing a recap podcast immediately after the event ends, so if you want all the info boiled down to 10-15 minutes, follow the AppleInsider podcast and look for that episode Monday afternoon! I will also be live-tweeting (and Mastadon-ing) the event if you prefer short text snippets of all the news. After all that, I’ll be posting videos showing off the newly announced iOS 17 features on YouTube!

• @stephenrobles on Twitter

• @stephenrobles on mastodon.social

• @beardfm on YouTube

Other Rumored Features

Aside from the VR headset, new Mac Pro, 15-inch MacBook Air, and updated Mac Studio, we’ve also heard about possible updates coming to the iPhone. Most of these were reported by Mark Gurman from Bloomberg who tends to be fairly accurate in leaks. They include:

• Lock Screen updates

• AirPlay improvements

• iPhone Smart Display

  • The lock screen could display widgets when charging

• Updates to the Wallet App

• Journaling / Health App

• Updated Control Center Design

Of course, Apple has the tendency to surprise with many other features left un-leaked, but if you’d like to hear my comprehensive wishlist for iOS 17, HomeKit, macOS, and iPad, you can listen to the most recent AppleInsider podcast!

One More Sonos Video

I had one more video on the Sonos Era 300 speakers in me, this one specifically geared toward home theater setups! You can watch my review on how they perform as rear surrounds in this video:

On an Emotional Note

Apple usually makes early developer betas available for iOS 17 on the day of its WWDC Keynote. I wanted to make some videos on the new features as soon as they become available, but installing early-release beta software on an iPhone is a risky proposition. It means your battery life nosedives, apps freeze, glitch, and the device can become unusable in some situations.

I contemplated buying a used iPhone for the express purpose of beta software, but that seemed unnecessary. Instead, I’ll be using my Dad’s iPhone 14.

My Dad passed away last November, and it still hits hard from time to time. Holding his iPhone (which he only had a month or so before passing), and scrolling through his apps is an emotional experience.

I created a new Lock Screen and Home Screen to use for filming and backed up the device to iCloud and to my Mac locally just to be careful during the beta cycle.

On one hand, it feels like he gets to be a part of my videos over the summer. On the other hand, it’s still pretty hard to think about for too long.

But in case you wonder what iPhone is in my iOS 17 videos, it’s my Dad’s.

Thanks, Dad.