Apple’s 2023 developer conference is now official and will take place the week of June 5-9 as expected. Like last year, it will be a mostly virtual event with a small in-person component on keynote day for members of the press and select developers and students who win a random lottery.
This week also saw the release of iOS 16.4 and related updates, as well as the launch of Apple Music Classical and Apple Pay Later. In the meantime, we’ve heard new rumors about Apple’s long-rumored AR/VR headset and iPhone 15 range due out later this year, so read on for details on these stories and more!
Apple announces WWDC 2023 from June 5th to 9th
Mark your calendars! Apple announced this week that WWDC 2023 will be held from Monday, June 5 through Friday, June 9. Sessions and labs will be available online, but there will also be an in-person component. Like last year, randomly selected developers and students can attend a special day at Apple Park on Monday to watch the keynote video, meet with some Apple teams, enjoy evening activities, and more.
At WWDC, Apple will announce the latest versions of its software platforms, including iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 14, watchOS 10, and tvOS 17. Apple’s long-awaited AR/VR headset may also be unveiled at WWDC, and it could always be be another surprise or two.
Apple Music Classical now available on the App Store
Apple Music Classical is now available on the App Store in most countries around the world. The app offers over five million classical music tracks and is free to use with a standard Apple Music subscription.
Apple first announced plans to launch a classical music app in 2021 after acquiring and discontinuing Primephonic, a classical music streaming service. Apple plans to release an Android version of the app soon.
All new in iOS 16.4
After around six weeks of beta testing, iOS 16.4 is now publicly available. The software update includes a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone, so be sure to check out the full list.
Apple has already released the first beta of iOS 16.5, which so far contains only a few minor changes, including a new “Sports” tab in the Apple News app and the ability to start a screen recording by asking Siri.
Apple reportedly demonstrated an AR/VR headset to executives at the Steve Jobs Theater
Apple’s much-rumoured AR/VR headset was reportedly shown off to the company’s top executives during a presentation at the Steve Jobs Theater last week, suggesting the device is close to launch.
Apple is expected to unveil the headset at WWDC in June, although analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said this week that the headset’s mass production has been pushed back again, so he’s not exactly sure if it will be unveiled at WWDC.
The iPhone 15 Pro is said to have a multi-use action button instead of a mute switch
The upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models are rumored to have a customizable action button like the Apple Watch Ultra.
The source claimed the action button will replace the ring/silent switch that has been in every iPhone model since 2007. As with the Apple Watch Ultra, users could remap the action button to various system functions like turning on and off the flashlight. There may also be a sensitivity setting to allow the buttons to be used with cases and gloves.
Apple Pay Later available now on a limited basis, broad rollout in the coming months
Apple announced this week that it will begin inviting “randomly selected users” to use a pre-release version of Apple Pay Later through the Wallet app and an email sent to their Apple ID. Apple Pay Later is available in the US and requires iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4.
The “buy now, pay later” financing option will be expanded to all eligible iPhone users over the age of 18 in the United States in the “coming months,” Apple says.
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