WWDC 2023 Quick Highlights

Let’s get into the nitty gritty of what is new this year from WWDC! A reminder, this is that time of year when Apple showers us with new operating systems and developer tools (sometimes letting us down and sometimes wowing us.) But hold your Apples, this year’s conference had a little something extra up its sleeve, for all of us.

Marco Pifferi

June 6, 2023

Well, it’s here! Let’s get into the nitty gritty of what is new this year from WWDC! A reminder, this is that time of year when Apple showers us with new operating systems and developer tools (sometimes letting us down and sometimes wowing us.) But hold your Apples, this year’s conference had a little something extra up its sleeve, for all of us. The buzz was all about Apple finally stepping into the realm of mixed reality with their groundbreaking headset. And boy, oh boy, the rumor mill was right on the money - which is not always the case!

The bridge between Web and App

Now, let’s dig into the details of macOS 14 Sonoma. We are seeing a great blur between web and native apps like never before. Safari is leveling up with user profiles that allow you to separate work and play effortlessly. But here’s the real game-changer: web apps are coming to the Mac! Say goodbye to juggling browser tabs and hello to dedicated web apps that feel just like their native counterparts. With custom app icons gracing your Dock, the line between web and native blurs into a delightful harmony. We have been discussing this for a long time at Glassfy that the world of Web and App have to come closer together.

Swift updates

But what about our beloved coding language, Swift? Welcome, Macros. Macros are about to rock your world, bringing compile-time checks and reducing the dreaded boilerplate. Imagine waving goodbye to the clunky syntax and embracing the simplicity of a #Preview macro for SwiftUI previews. But that’s not all! Swift is spreading its wings with C++ interoperability, making us wonder if the day is near when the entire Swift ecosystem will be powered by the language itself.

SwiftUI and SwiftData

Now, let’s shine a spotlight on SwiftUI and its quest to bridge the gap to UIKit. This year, animations take center stage, with animated SF Symbols, a brand new AnimationFace API, and support for Key Frames. But hold on tight because two remarkable frameworks steal the show. First, we have Observation, a framework that brings the Observer pattern to life in a type-safe manner. And now, for the grand finale, let’s introduce SwiftData! This framework wraps around Core Data, revolutionizing model creation with managed persistence and iCloud sync. While we’re still stuck with defining models as classes, the enhanced and simplified API is an absolute game-changer.

Get ready, one of our favorite new features that Apple unleashed is mergeable libraries! With the aim to combine the strengths of both static and dynamic libraries, creating a harmonious fusion of greatness. With these quality-of-life improvements and the latest updates to Swift Package Manager, Apple is on a mission to make modularizing code a breeze for developers, all while ensuring optimal performance and keeping those pesky size issues at bay. It’s like having the best of both worlds without any compromise!

Apple Hardware updates

While the mixed reality headset stole the spotlight, let’s not forget about the other fantastic announcements that Apple dropped on us which is honestly what a lot of us are here for, as developers. Let’s kick off with the world of hardware upgrades. First up, we have the highly anticipated 15" MacBook Air, boasting the mighty M2 chip. It’s the perfect companion for developers on the move who crave a compact design without sacrificing screen real estate.

Next up, Apple is bidding adieu to Intel and fully embracing their own Apple Silicon. The Mac Pro, the epitome of power, is getting a chip makeover. Now, you might be wondering if Apple’s single-chip closed architecture can keep up with the demands of power users. Fear not, for Apple has delivered. The Mac Pro’s performance is set to soar, especially with the refreshed M2 Max and the awe-inspiring M2 Ultra also making their debut.

App Privacy updates

But that’s not all that Apple has up its sleeve! They’re determined to make our lives easier, even when it comes to privacy requirements. Introducing Privacy Manifests, a feature that will make developers’ hearts sing. Now, when it comes to filling in the App Store Privacy Information section, Apple has our backs. Bundled third-party frameworks no longer pose a challenge, as they can include their own manifests. Finally, we can assemble comprehensive privacy specifications for our apps with ease, ensuring thorough coverage for both our code and third-party components.

Last but certainly not least, Xcode 15 and Xcode Cloud are spruced up. With improved code completion, type-safe generation of assets, and SwiftUI previews

There is plenty more to come over the coming days so we will report back as we continue through the week.

Happy coding and happy WWDC!