Apple opens WWDC with Keynote on June 5 as rumors point to AR/VR headset reveal

Apple has confirmed that it will kick off this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference, scheduled for June 5-9, with a keynote on the first day at 10:00 a.m. PT/1:00 p.m. ET. The WWDC keynote will take place at tech giant Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino, Calif., and can be viewed online as well as on the Apple TV app.

Apple traditionally uses its WWDC keynote to showcase new features in its software, which are then usually released as free updates in the fall. This year, that should include iOS 17, as well as updates for iPadOS, macOS, and WatchOS. However, the company may have more than software to show off this year.

After years of rumors and speculation, Apple’s mixed reality headset will make its debut at WWDC. The headset is expected to incorporate elements of augmented reality, which places digital images on real environments, and virtual reality. The helmet is rumored to have premium features with a slim visor design and an external battery. It’s expected to cost upwards of $3,000, but Apple could position the headset as a foot in the door rather than its final form.

Apple could also introduce a new 15-inch MacBook Air as well as a new high-end Mac Pro. The Mac Pro is said to run on a chip called the M2 Ultra processor – likely the successor to the M1 Ultra – which has 24 CPU cores, 76 graphics cores and 192GB of memory.