Apple’s next Worldwide Developers Conference is just around the corner, but those hoping for the launch of new Apple devices are likely to be disappointed.
WWDC 2023: We’re just days away from this year’s conference.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman noted in the latest Power On newsletter that this year’s keynote will be centered around software, which may not be a surprise considering rumors of AI going mainstream.
Still, WWDC does show off some cool new hardware from time to time — last year’s Apple Vision Pro was “One More Thing,” for example — so Gurman’s report will likely disappoint some people.
What was on offer?
First, there are rumors of a new Apple TV box. Sources, including Gurman, have previously said that the box will be available in the first half of 2024 (meaning by the end of June) and will feature an upgraded processor. Other rumors have suggested that the new hardware will include a camera on Apple TV devices for FaceTime calling. But Gurman now says that a new Apple TV box is “not imminent.”
The report leaves a little room for error, saying there’s a slight chance something could be announced at a later date, with Gurman stating, “No hardware is planned to be announced at WWDC, unless Apple unexpectedly previews a new device that will be released at a later date (and to be clear, I’m not expecting that to happen).”
I think there’s still something to look forward to, especially for Apple watchers who don’t live in the US.
I suspect Apple could find time in between new software releases to announce an international release date for Apple Vision Pro. It would coincide with the product announcement exactly one year ago, so there would be some symmetry and it would signal Apple’s intention to make this a global product soon. Until now, the company has only said that it would be released in other regions sometime in 2024.
That timeline seems plausible, as a UK and international release is likely to occur in late June or early July, though Apple may want to separate this announcement from WWDC.
We’ll know all in just a week or so.