WWDC 2023: The Rumors That Were True and Those That Were False

The WWDC 2023 opening keynote has now taken place and saw several announcements including the Apple Vision Pro headset, new Macs, iOS 17, macOS Sonoma, watchOS 10 and tvOS 17. several rumors about them over the months, it’s an opportunity to see which ones have been correct.

Rumors for WWDC 2023 products

MacRumors grouped the rumors that gave good information and the others that were false. Here is the detail of the good rumors:

• Many hardware details about Apple’s headset have been accurately reported, including the power bank connected by a wire, the ability to see the wearer’s eyes, the M2 chip, eye and hand tracking, and a Digital Crown similar to that of the Apple Watch to switch from augmented reality to virtual reality.
• Apple has announced a 15-inch MacBook Air equipped with the M2 chip.
• Apple has updated the Mac Studio with the M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips.
• The Mac Pro with the M2 Ultra chip, although there was some uncertainty as to whether the computer would be announced at WWDC or later.
• The new Mac Pro features the same overall design as the previous Intel-based model.
• iOS 17 features a new StandBy mode that allows information such as the time, calendar, and widgets to be displayed when an iPhone is charging in landscape position. Although the StandBy name was never leaked, this feature was accurately rumored.
• iOS 17 features a new Journal app.
• End of support for iPhone 8, 8 Plus and X with iOS 17.
• Apple added new mental health and vision health features to the Health app in iOS 17, and extended the app to iPad.
• Apple has shortened the phrase “Hey Siri” to “Siri”.
• AirPlay will soon work with supported TVs in hotel rooms.
• watchOS 10 features scrollable widgets and redesigned apps that take advantage of Apple Watch’s larger screens.

Now for the false rumours:

• Reality Pro was considered a potential name for Apple’s headset based on a trademark application, but it was eventually named Vision Pro.
• It was reported that Apple’s headset operating system would be called xrOS, but it was eventually named visionOS. Apple refers to the operating system as xrOS in its WWDC session videos, so the name may have been used on an interim basis or there may have been a last-minute change.
• Vision Pro was supposed to cost around $3,000, but it’s priced at $3,499 upon arrival.
• Vision Pro will launch in early 2024, not late 2023. Ming-Chi Kuo mentioned at the last minute the possibility of an early 2024 launch.
• It was rumored that Apple’s headphones would come in six colors.
• Almost all of leaker Analyst941’s previously accurate claims were false, including that iOS 17 would come with a revamped Control Center and Maps app.
• The 15-inch MacBook Air was originally supposed to come with an M3 chip.
• The new MacBook Air has a 15.3-inch screen, not a 15.5-inch.