Being here in Cupertino for the first time is quite surreal, to say the least – and nothing could have prepared us for the adrenaline rush as keynote event, Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) kicked off at Apple Park.
Here’s a bunch of notable hardware launches that we’re super stoked about – and you should be too.
1. Apple Vision Pro
After years of research and development, Apple is finally ready to introduce Apple Vision Pro to the world. In addition to experiencing the keynote live IRL, we got the coveted opportunity to get a close look at Apple Vision Pro – Apple’s first ever spatial device that allows users to look through it, not at it.
It was one of the most surreal moments in one’s life, being a part of history and experiencing the rush of erupting applause from the crowd as this was announced. Let’s get into the specifics, and how Vision Pro works.
Controls
It is promised that Apple Vision Pro can be fully and easily controlled by one’s eyes, hands, and voice – and runs on a chipset based on Apple’s M2 processor – which is no stranger to everyone given the suite of M2 powered products that have hit the market in the past year.
M2 & R1 Chips
While M2 delivers an unrivalled performance, Apple Vision Pro is coupled with the brand-new R1 chip, which processes input from 12 cameras, 5 sensors, and 6 microphones – which allows you to feel like the content is appearing right in front of your eyes – in real time.
The magic of R1 allows new images to be streamed extremely quickly to the displays within 12 milliseconds. Imagine watching your favourite movie or reminiscing past memories through videos and having virtually no lag time at all. Fascinating.
Apple Vision Pro External Battery
Battery Life
Apple Vision Pro is specially designed to be used all-day when plugged in, and up to 2 hours of usage with its external battery. The external battery can be snapped on to Vision Pro with a click – making it portable and easy to use throughout your house – if you’d like to move around with it.
Source: Apple
Design
Being one of Apple’s most groundbreaking wearable yet, Apple Vision Pro is carefully designed with a three-dimensional and laminated polished glass to create the optical surface that doubles up as a lens leveraging on cameras and sensors to blend both virtual and physical worlds together.
The intricate and inclusive design allows Vision Pro to accommodate a wide range of face shapes, and also offers ZEISS Optical Inserts for people who wears glasses to comfortably be able to use it.
Source: Apple
The digital crown allows one to control different apps and experiences with Vision Pro, making it a seamless experience for people who are already accustomed to the digital crown on the Apple Watch.
Source: Apple
Designed for Comfort
Apple Vision Pro comes with flexible straps to ensure that users get the most out of the most advanced Spatial Audio system ever, and the Head Band (which is available in different sizes) is 3D knitted as a single piece to ensure a comfortable and breathable, stretchy fit that makes it easy for one to change to another size or style of band.
At WWDC23, we were brought on a walkthrough on how Apple Vision Pro will work. Well, let’s just say that from what we saw – experiences are not constrained by the display, and you can freely place apps exactly how and where you want them. The depth of each app will intensify as you’re looking at them – and you’ll find that you can fully control your visual experience with your eyes.
Source: Apple
EyeSight
EyeSight helps to reveal your eyes when people are around you to allow you to have a truly incredible spatial experience – immersed in both your virtual and physical realities at the same time.
visionOS
Powered by visionOS, the world’s first spatial operating system, Vision Pro allows users to fully immerse and interact with digital content in a revolutionary way that feels like it is physically present in the same space.
Connectivity
Apple Vision Pro works seamlessly with other Apple devices in the ecosystem, allowing for the most ideal work setups for every kind of personality. With the support for Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad, you can set up the workspace of your dreams and weaving your Mac capabilities into Vision Pro wirelessly – creating that huge, portable and incredibly private 4K display to live with crisp text.
Privacy
As always, Apple values users’ privacy and security – and with that, Apple developed Optic ID, a brand-new secure authentication system that analyses one’s iris under different invisible LED light exposures and compares it to the enrolled Optic ID data to instantly unlock Apple Vision Pro.
Availability & Launch in SG / Price
Apple Vision Pro will only be available early next year in the States, starting at USD$3,499.
Stay tuned to the global launch later next year!
2. MacBook Air 15”
The 15” version is arguably, one of the most popular renditions in the MacBook line-up (Pro version). In 2022, the redesigned MacBook Air was released in 13.6” display and M2 processor – leaving a lot of us wondering when the tech giant would be releasing the MacBook Air in the popular 15” sizing.
After years of speculations and rumours swirling around like crazy on the internet – Apple is finally launching the 15” MacBook Air, much to everyone’s delight. This gives loyal customers a chance to purchase a lighter, faster, and more powerful MacBook Air in one of the most alluring sizing – 15”.
With this iteration of the MacBook Air – the MacBook family has all transitioned into the M2 ecosystem.
Specs
- 15.3″ Liquid Retina display
- Powered by M2
- Up to 18h of battery life
- 6-speaker sound system
- MagSafe charging
- 2 Thunderbolt ports
- 3.5mm headphone jack
Source: Apple
Design & Colorways
The 15″ MacBook Air retains its thinness and lightweight design, making it an incredible 15″ powerhouse to work with.
15″ MacBook Air with M2 is available in midnight, starlight, silver, and space grey.
Availability & Launch in SG / Price
15″ MacBook Air with M2 is available to order from 7 June, Wed on Apple & starts at S$1,899 (and S$1,749 for education).
Mac Studio & Mac Pro | Source: Apple
3. Mac Studio & Mac Pro
When the Mac Studio was launched in 2022, we were presented with a powerful work engine that is either powered by M1 Max or the M1 Ultra, and was the first ever desktop Mac since the 2012 Mac Pro to have both input and output (I/O) on the front.
Today, Apple unveils the all new Mac Studio and brings Apple silicon to Mac Pro – a long awaited upgrade to the Mac Pro.
Mac Studio with M2 Ultra | Source: Apple
Mac Studio Specs
- Powered by M2 Ultra
- 12-core CPU
- Up to 38-core GPU
- Up to 96GB of unified memory
- 400GB/s of memory bandwidth
Mac Studio with M2 supports up to 6 Pro Display XDRs – essentially allowing you to leverage on an incredible amount of screen real estate for pro workflows. Mac Studio comes with 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports, a 10Gb Ethernet port, an enhanced HDMI port and 2 USB-A ports on the back, 2 USB-C ports and an SD card slot in the front. Perfect for creatives and 3D artists to fully stretch their creativity beyond its limits.
Mac Pro | Source: Apple
Mac Pro Specs
- Powered by M2 Ultra
- 24-core CPU
- Up to 76-core GPU
- Up to 192GB of memory
- 800GB.s of unified memory bandwidth
Mac Pro is even better now (and what a long-awaited upgrade this is!) – with 8 built-in Thunderbolt 4 ports, supports up to 6 Pro Display XDRs, 3 USB-A ports, 2 higher-bandwidth HDMI ports that support up to 8K resolution and up to 240Hz frame rates, 2 10Gb Ethernet ports, and a headphone jack that supports your favourite headphones.
Availability & Launch in SG / Price
The new Mac Studio and Pro are available to order from 9 June 2023, Friday at Apple.
Mac Studio starts at S$2,999 (and S2,699 for education).
Mac Pro is available in both tower and rack-mounted enclosures:
Mac Pro (Tower Enclosure) starts at S$9,999 (and $9,249 for education)
Mac Pro (Rack Enclosure) starts at S$10,999 (and S$10,269 for education)
