Besides MR, maybe there's AI? Apple's most significant launch event in a decade is happening tonight!

Tonight, the highly anticipated Apple WWDC 23 will kick off at the Apple Park in Cupertino, California. According to well-known Apple leaker Mark Gurman, the duration of this WWDC conference will exceed 2 hours, making it one of the most content-rich WWDC conferences ever.

This year's WWDC conference is also receiving unprecedented attention. On the one hand, Apple's latest hardware terminal, the MR headset, which is regarded as the "next Apple" within the company, will be unveiled; on the other hand, with AI becoming a new keyword in the technology industry, the market expects Apple to showcase its AI technology at the WWDC conference.

WWDC 23 will officially begin at 1 a.m. Beijing time, and Apple will broadcast it live on its official website and other platforms simultaneously. While waiting for Apple to serve up the main course, why not take a look at the leaks?

You may see:

• Brand new MR headset, as well as the new operating system xrOS
• New MacBook Air with a larger screen
• Mac Studio equipped with M2 Pro and M2 Ultra chips
• iOS 17 with support for third-party app stores
• macOS 14 that works better with mobile devices
• watchOS 10 with brand new interactions

The debut of the headset, the promising "next Apple"

Wall Street News has previously introduced information about this MR headset many times. It is Apple's first hardware terminal developed entirely under Cook's leadership, carrying the expectation of becoming the "next Apple". The market expects the price of the first-generation headset to exceed $3,000.

According to leaks from multiple media outlets and tech bloggers, Apple's MR headset looks like ski goggles, with a dial-like button on the upper right corner that allows users to switch between AR and VR functions. The leg of the goggles is connected to an external battery module via a power cord, which users can put in their pockets or clip onto their clothes. Compared to heavy all-in-one VR headsets like Quest and Pico, Apple's MR headset is lighter and avoids the problem of overheating.

In terms of hardware, Apple's MR headset has two 1.4-inch 4K Micro-OLED displays and is equipped with two M2 redesigned chips that are on par with the latest MacBook Pro. The optical scheme adopts the most advanced Pancake folding optical path in the industry, with a field of view of 120°, far exceeding Meta's flagship product Quest Pro's 108°, which is equivalent to the human field of view (124°), and can achieve a stronger immersive experience; At the same time, there are more than a dozen cameras and sensors on the fuselage to achieve eye tracking and gaze rendering functions. It may also be equipped with a smart ring to achieve gesture control.

In terms of software, Apple MR may be equipped with a new operating system xrOS, which is deeply integrated with the existing Apple ecosystem, compatible with iPad applications, and supports a series of functions from games to fitness to video chat. Some native Apple apps will also provide xr optimized versions.

15-inch MacBkoo Air, and the strongest M2 Ultra chip in history

In Apple's notebook production line, only the Pro series has always had larger screens. However, at this WWDC conference, Apple may release a new MacBook Air with a 15-inch large screen.

According to the news, the appearance and configuration of the new model are similar to the current MBA, but the size is larger.

In addition, Apple may also update the Mac Studio product line, which is Apple's top product line that focuses on extreme performance. The new Mac Studio may be equipped with a brand new M2 Max and M2 Ultra chip.

The M2 Max chip is the same as the chip in the latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros. The M2 Ultra is a brand new powerful chip, which is expected to include 24 CPUs, 76 GPUs, and may provide three memory options: 64GB, 128GB, and 192GB.

iOS/iPad OS major upgrade, or support bypassing Apple Store to download applications

According to the latest "Digital Market Act" in the European Union, Apple may be forced to open restrictions on third-party stores, allowing users to bypass the App Store and directly download applications from third-party app stores or browsers.

In addition to allowing users to bypass the App Store, some people speculate that Apple may relax restrictions on third-party browsers and not force them to use the Apple WebKit engine, which means that the full version of Chorme may be available on iOS.

In addition, Apple may also open the use of its NFC chip. Currently, only Apple's own services such as Wallet and Apple Pay can call the NFC chip.

Apple and iPad may also usher in some new applications.

The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Apple will embed a diary application in the new iOS system, which allows users to record emotions, as well as thoughts and experiences throughout the day. iPadOS will receive the same lock screen interface as iOS 15, as well as the same "Health" app.

In addition, in iOS 17, Apple can transform into a smart display in landscape mode, displaying calendar events, message notifications, and other content.

watchOS will have a brand new design

watchOS may receive a "major update" this year. The new system is expected to have the same widgets as Apple, allowing users to browse weather, stocks, calendar events, and other information.

In addition, the interaction system of watchOS will also be greatly improved, and Apple may add new operational logic to the digital crown. All core applications on the Apple Watch will also receive new designs to take advantage of the large display on high-end watches such as the Apple Watch Ultra.

Apple's new AI progress

In addition to these, Apple may also showcase its progress in AI at the WWDC conference.

Previously, tech blogger fin tweeted that Apple's new recruitment announcement shows that it is recruiting engineers in the generative AI field, indicating that Apple may plan to combine large language models with MR devices.

Renowned Apple insider Ming-Chi Kuo tweeted that many investors are paying attention to Apple's AI layout at this year's WWDC conference.

During last month's earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that the potential of AI technology is beyond doubt, but applying AI "requires careful consideration".