Apple WWDC 2023: the ‘Vision Pro’ mixed reality headset is here

Shares of Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) climbed to an all-time high as the tech behemoth kicked off its much-anticipated Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday.

Here’s what Apple announced at its WWDC 2023

• 15-inch MacBook Air with an M2 chipset for $1,299
• iPadOS17 with machine-learning technology for PDFs
• Updated Mac Studio powered by M2 Max/Ultra chips
• iOS 17 with updated Phone, Facetime and Messages app
• Replaced Intel chip with M2 Ultra in a new Mac Pro
• macOS Sonoma with expanded video-conferencing
• Introduced adaptive audio in an AirPods software update
• Apple TV is now equipped with FaceTime as well
• WatchOS 10 with new apps including world clock

Apple WWDC 2023 updates arrive about a month after the multinational reported market-beating results for its fiscal second quarter. Apple shares are now up roughly 45% for the year.

Apple reveals the Vision Pro – its mixed-reality headset

Most importantly, Apple Inc unveiled the much-awaited “Vision Pro” mixed reality headset – its first major product release since 2014. On CNBC’s “Halftime Report”, Deepwater Asset Management’s Gene Munster said:

What it really marks is recognition from the world’s best device maker that there is going to be a paradigm shift in how businesses and consumers will do computing and that’s as big a deal as the iPhone.

Interestingly, though, Apple shares actually slipped following the Vision Pro announcement. Perhaps it was the price ($3,499) that spooked investors. According to Munster, the VR headset is just supposed to get the developers excited for now. He doesn’t expect the number of units sold to be relevant per se for another five years or so.

Last week, peer Meta also announced the Quest 3 – its latest headset slated for launch in the coming months.