Business & Tech News: Apple Reveals Impressive Lineup at WWDC 2023: From Vision Pro AR Headset to iOS 17 and MacBook Air

Welcome to our news digest, where we’ll cover the latest in technology, innovation, and startups. From Apple’s groundbreaking announcements at WWDC 2023 to Automattic’s AI-powered writing assistant for WordPress users and Apple’s acquisition of AR hardware startup Mira. Stay tuned to explore the exciting developments in the world of gadgets, apps, and emerging companies in this week’s news roundup.

Apps

Automattic Introduces AI Writing Assistant for WordPress Users

Introducing an innovative addition to the WordPress platform, Automattic has rolled out a specialized AI writing assistant. This cutting-edge tool seamlessly integrates with WordPress.com and Jetpack-powered sites, empowering users to enhance their content creation process. With a simple ‘AI Assistant’ block, users can now effortlessly generate text, receive title suggestions, create concise summaries, and even fine-tune the tone of their posts for maximum engagement. The AI assistant also boasts support for 12 languages and provides superior spelling and grammar correction, enabling writers to translate their content and elevate their writing quality. While a free trial offers 20 requests, continued access to this feature entails a $10 monthly subscription. This exciting release aligns with the growing trend of AI-driven writing tools as industry leaders like Google, Microsoft, Notion, and Grammarly continue incorporating AI features into their applications.

Linda Yaccarino has officially started her role as the CEO of Twitter

Linda Yaccarino has officially begun her role as the new CEO of Twitter. She announced her first day on the job through a tweet, expressing excitement for what was to come. Yaccarino’s appointment was announced by Twitter owner Elon Musk in mid-May, following her resignation from NBCUniversal, where she held a prominent position in advertising and partnerships. Her early start at Twitter came as a surprise since it happened sooner than anticipated. On her first day, Musk hosted a live audio Space with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., discussing various topics. Yaccarino expressed support for Musk’s commitment to free speech, even if it raises concerns among advertisers.

Startups

Apple Buys Mira, a Startup Creating Lightweight AR Hardware

In a recent undisclosed deal, Apple acquired Mira, a startup specializing in AR headsets in Los Angeles. Mira has gained recognition for its AR headset deployments, including projects at Universal Studios’ Nintendo World theme parks. Before being acquired, Mira secured $17 million in funding from prominent investors like Blue Bear Capital, Happiness Ventures, and Sequoia. While initially focusing on consumer applications, Mira shifted its focus towards the more profitable industrial sector. The company had previously established contracts with the U.S. Air Force and Navy. Mira’s role in Apple’s AR strategy remains uncertain; however, it is worth mentioning that Jony Ive, Apple’s former product designer, had offered guidance to Mira in the past.

Gadgets

Apple WWDC 2023: A range of exciting updates, including the Apple Vision Pro, iOS 17, MacBook Air, and more

On June 5th, Apple held its WWDC 2023 keynote, where they made a series of announcements, including updates to OS, watchOS, and new gadgets. Here’s a quick digest of the major news from the event.

Mac 15-Inch

It is Apple’s biggest laptop for consumers, weighing only three pounds and measuring a thinness of 11.5 mm, making it the thinnest 15-inch laptop ever created. With an impressive battery life of 18 hours and is equipped with six speakers.

Mac Studio

Apple’s compact yet powerful desktop computer, the Mac Studio, is set to receive a product upgrade. This update will include the replacement of the M1 Max and M1 Ultra chips with the new M2 Max and M2 Ultra silicon. The height of the new device is approximately three times that of a Mac Mini. The primary distinction lies in the enhanced performance unlocked by the new chip. The neural engine, for instance, operates 40% faster. Additionally, there has been an increase in video bandwidth, enabling the connection of an 8K display with a high refresh rate.

iOS 17 introduces new features, including NameDrop, the Journal app, Standby mode, eliminating the “hey Siri” command, and several others

Apple has introduced several new features in iOS 17. NameDrop allows easy sharing of phone numbers and photos between devices. The new journaling app, Journal, uses machine learning to provide personalized suggestions. Standby offers a full-screen experience for nightstands and dynamic photo slideshows. Autocorrect has been upgraded with an AI model for better predictions. Apple has removed the “hey” from “Hey Siri.” Apple Podcasts is also getting refreshed with updated features.

Mac Pro

The new Mac Pro is designed for professionals who need a powerful computer. It has a new processor called M2 Ultra, which is faster than the previous Intel-based version. The Mac Pro also has a lot of memory, up to 192GB, which is great for tasks like video editing, 3D design, and music production. It has Thunderbolt ports and PCIe slots that are important for connecting different devices. The starting price is $6,999, but if you want extra features, it can cost even more.

M2 Ultra

The M2 Ultra chip is a powerful leap forward for Apple Silicon, building upon the success of the M1. It combines two M1 Max dies into a single package, resulting in an impressive performance. With advanced 5 nm technology, 24 CPU cores, up to 76 GPU cores (including a 60-core option), and a 32-core Neural Engine, the M2 Ultra offers enhanced capabilities. Notably, it supports up to 192 GB of unified memory and boasts a substantial memory bandwidth of 800 GB, further elevating its performance.

MacOS 14 Sonoma

Apple’s macOS 14, named Sonoma, brings interactive widgets, a game mode to limit distractions during gaming, and a new overlay feature for teleconferencing, including dynamic backgrounds and effects like fireworks.

Apple has finally officially released its highly anticipated Vision Pro AR headset, priced at $3,499

After seven years of development, Apple has unveiled its long-awaited AR headset, the Vision Pro. The headset, priced at $3,499, is focused on augmented reality and introduces a new concept called “spatial computing” for interacting with the user interface. It features an aluminum frame, curved glass, and a visor to block out light. The Vision Pro runs on the M2 chip and offers micro-OLED displays with improved imaging. It includes features like “EyeSight” for authentic representation, a 3D camera for spatial photos and videos, and compatibility with Microsoft Office apps and teleconferencing services. The new operating system, VisionOS, supports existing apps and has a dedicated App Store. The headset is targeted toward enterprise buyers, with a possibility of a more affordable version in the future.