Apple’s WWDC 2022 may be focussed on developers, but it’s also an important showcase for seeing what’s next for Apple’s core software. It can also give people the chance to glean hints at what products could be coming. And there’s even the possibility of a surprise hardware launch, even if Apple tends to reserve product debuts for separate events. We’re about to find out what this year’s edition has in store. WWDC 2022 will kick off today, running from June 6 to June 10. And the opening day will be the big one, as Apple’s WWDC keynote will detail all the exciting things to come on the software side. We’re expecting to get a proper look at iOS 16, as well as new versions of macOS, iPadOS, watchOS and tvOS. We’d also expect to see new tools developers will be able to use to create the apps of the near-future, possibly with a focus on augmented and virtual reality, as rumors of the Apple AR/VR headset and realityOS gather pace. And perhaps we’ll finally get the reveal of the long awaited MacBook Air 2022.
How to watch WWDC 2022 live
The Apple WWDC 2022 keynote will take place today, Monday, June 6, at 10 a.m. PT, 1 p.m. ET, and 6 p.m. BST. Apple will host a livestream of the keynote on its website (opens in new tab). You can also watch it on YouTube (opens in new tab); Apple has a placeholder video live (embedded above) with a countdown in place; we’d suggest setting a reminder for the video so you’ll get alerted when it starts. If you’ve got an Apple TV, iPhone or iPad, you can also watch the live stream of the keynote via Apple’s TV app. In addition, Tom’s Guide’s WWDC 2022 live blog is now up and running to give you a blow-by-blow account of all the exciting news and big announcements. After the keynote, we’ll have a complete analysis of what’s hot and what’s not from Apple’s event.
What to expect at WWDC 2022
We expect to hear about a raft of upgrades and next-generation versions for Apple’s main software platforms. iOS 16 is likely to get a big showcase, especially as we get closer to the expected launch of the iPhone 14. Recently, iOS 16 has been slated to get major upgrades to both the Health app and how iPhones handle notifications. In addition, iOS 16 is tipped to offer a new lockscreen, complete with interactive widgets. (We’ve got a full rundown of the likely iOS 16 features Apple could introduce at WWDC.) We also expect to see iPadOS 16, likely showcasing how the best iPads can be used as more capable devices for all manner of tasks; one rumor promises improved multitasking with the iPadOS 16 tipped to introduce a real desktop with resizable windows. This could go a long way toward the iPad replacing your laptop. The new macOS 13 should also get a lot of attention, which is tipped to featured an overhauled System Preferences and redesigned core apps. WWDC typically isn’t a big show for hardware, but a lot of Apple watchers are predicting that the MacBook Air 2022 will appear at the show to give us our first look at the M2 chip expected to power Apple’s latest laptop. Here’s a look at the other top MacBook Air 2022 features rumored for the new hardware. Apple should also show off watchOS 9, which could have a range of health tracking upgrades, as well as integrations with Apple’s HomeKit, Apple Wallet and Apple Fitness Plus. It will come preloaded on the Apple Watch 8 later this year. So far there have been no rumors for tvOS 16. But we’d hope to see some new features for it, perhaps enabling smarter show recommendations. Or Apple could show off a range of new series for Apple TV Plus. Finally, there have been rumors that the Apple AR/VR headset could be teased at WWDC 2022. But the latest reports say that Apple’s headset won’t see a reveal at WWDC after all, partially because Apple doesn’t want the competition to copy what it’s doing. That being said, we’d not be surprised if AR and VR have a part to play in some of Apple’s next-gen software tools — the company has already introduced AR trading cards tied to WWDC 2022. Overall, WWDC 2022 looks set to be a big event. Don’t forget to check back with Tom’s Guide for all the news and analysis from WWDC and any impressions of possible new hardware.
