What to Expect at the 2022 World Wide Developers Conference

It's possible that major OS updates and new Macs are on the way.

The anticipation for WWDC 2022 is tremendous. Apple is rumored to be planning major improvements to its operating systems. Furthermore, the corporation is nearing the end of a two-year shift to ARM CPUs, and many people expect some long-awaited Mac enhancements. With rumors of a mixed reality headset, the keynote on June 6th could be one of the most remarkable in recent memory. When executives take to the virtual stage, here's what to expect. Apple's iPhone and iPad software updates are usually the highlight of WWDC, but this year they might be even more so. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 will be "quite big" changes that affect many parts of the user experience. Apps like Health and Messages, as well as notifications, should all benefit. We might even see Android-style automobile crash detection that dials an emergency number automatically. More importantly, iOS 16 might be the first significant update to the lock screen in years. "Major upgrades," according to Gurman, might include wallpapers with widget-style capability. However, it's possible that the anticipated always-on display features will be limited to the iPhone 14 Pro. Multitasking may be improved as a result of the OS changes, especially for iPad owners. WebKit has implemented hooks for an iOS "multitasking mode" that allows for freely resizable windows, according to code sleuth Steve Troughton-Smith. While we don't expect iPadOS 16 to provide a full Mac-like experience, Apple's tablets may become more helpful for heavy-duty computing. At the very least, the probable release timetable is predictable. Around WWDC, Apple has traditionally released developer previews of iOS and iPadOS, followed by public previews a few weeks later. The finished software is usually released in September in conjunction with new iPhone and iPad hardware. We anticipate a similar approach for iOS 16 and iPadOS 16. Apple's in-house silicon was first used in Macs a year and a half ago. While the processing power has stayed up, early M1-based computers like the MacBook Air are quickly becoming obsolete as x86-based Windows PCs catch up or leap ahead. Thankfully, an update may be on the way at WWDC. Apple was testing nine or more Macs, according to Gurman, and planned to unveil a new MacBook Air using the M2 during the conference. Since the arrival of the Retina Display model in 2018, the new Air could be the first major rethinking of the thin-and-light portable. According to Jon Prosser and others, it will feature a more squared-off look reminiscent of last year's 24-inch iMac, and will be available in a variety of vibrant colours with a white keyboard. It's unclear whether the camera notch from the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro will be carried over, but there's a chance you'll see a MagSafe power connection and extra Thunderbolt ports. Sorry, but the newest Pros' SD card reader and HDMI connector may not make the criteria. What about the M2? Expect a small improvement in performance. The new system-on-chip is expected to retain eight CPU cores while increasing the GPU core count from eight to ten. Minor architectural adjustments are more likely to provide any other speed benefits. The new MacBook Air may be more competitive with rivals from the year 2022, but if you got the M1 model, you won't be disappointed. Even if a new MacBook Air is announced at WWDC, there's no assurance it will be released on time. COVID-19 shutdowns in China have impacted Apple's supply chain, as have many companies. As essential as iOS and iPadOS are, there are rumblings that Apple's other platforms will be updated as well. According to Bloomberg's Gurman, watchOS 9 may see some of the most significant changes. A low-power option that extends battery life without limiting you to basic timekeeping might be seen (as with the existing power reserve mode). Recently, the writer said that the upcoming Apple Watch software will improve navigation significantly. More robust health tracking, including more running stats, improved sleep tracking, and a "burden" tool that determines how long you've been in a condition of atrial fibrillation, may also be available. Other platforms may not see the same level of change. MacOS 13 is expected to contain a revised System Preferences pane that is more in line with iOS settings, as well as updated default programs. Meanwhile, Apple TV owners should expect new (unspecified) smart home features. Apple's long-rumored AR/VR headgear is generating a lot of buzz, but don't expect it to make an appearance at WWDC. Despite the fact that the company appears to be filing trademarks and generally preparing for an IPO, both Gurman and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo have expressed reservations. The technology does not look to be ready for a public debut until late 2022 or early 2023. We wouldn't exclude out a quick look to assist developers prepare apps, but without more evidence, we're sceptical. Similarly, we don't see computers beyond the MacBook Air. Despite reports that Apple is testing nine M2-based Macs, the majority of them have yet to be released. An ARM-based Mac Pro remains a long way off, and Gurman doesn't foresee any more M2-based upgrades until 2022. Be prepared for shocks, though, as Apple debuted the M1 with three Macs. Other consumer hardware is unlikely to be seen. Apple normally saves new iPhones, Watches, and most other consumer devices for the fall, and WWDC is still a developer-only event. The hardware that does show up is either geared at professional content makers (like the Mac Pro shown off in 2019) or is intended to familiarize developers with new technologies (like 2020's M1-based testbeds). If the MacBook Air M2 is released on June 6th, it will be an outlier in an otherwise strict rule.