5 enhancements from WWDC to help Apple win the enterprise and change the future of work

Mac momentum to accelerate

Apple at work is already on the rise, fueled by strong user preference and compelling technology fit for the enterprise. Apple kicked off WWDC with the introduction of new Mac hardware, powered by their industry-leading Apple silicon. The 15” MacBook Air brings a large display to an ultra-portable form factor at an incredibly competitive price point; ideal for Mac choice programs and as a standard offering for new employees.

The updated Mac Studio and Mac Pro with Apple Silicon prove again that Apple is not just capable of making the most portable computers but also the most powerful computers. Ones that handle data-intensive workflows across a wide range of industry use cases, including audio/visual, data science, 3D modeling and more.

In addition to compelling hardware updates, macOS Sonoma brings a variety of new enterprise capabilities to a wide range of Macs already deployed in the enterprise. With macOS Sonoma, organizations can deploy phishing-resistant Passkeys to users, enhance the operating system and application update experience and utilize Managed Device Attestation to leverage the Secure Enclave for strong assurance of identity and security posture.

iOS and iPadOS gain security and privacy enhancements

For most organizations, security across mobile devices remains a leading priority. At the same time, end users are more conscious about their privacy than ever before. Apple continues to enhance both in a way that maintains an appropriate balance.

As organizations continue to adopt MFA to secure work resources and applications, Apple has extended AutoFill for one-time verification codes sent via email to simplify the secure login experience for users. Apple further protects browser activity within Safari by offering new Profiles to separate work and personal data, showing how Apple is supporting both the hybrid nature of work and the way that most users blend their work and personal activities across their various devices.

AirDrop, Apple’s peer-to-peer file-sharing capability, has been simplified to make sharing contacts and files simple, now supporting secure transfers over your cellular network if devices are separated during a large transfer. Apple also introduced additional permissions that limit how apps can access photos and calendar events, keeping personal information private.

Apple Watch and the mobile workforce

Apple Watch continues to lead the growing smartwatch category and initial enterprise adopters are finding ways that these consumer-oriented devices can be used in the workplace. This is very reminiscent of how consumer demand brought iPhone into the enterprise 15 years ago. With this week’s announcements, Apple is set to dramatically accelerate workplace adoption with the introduction of enterprise-specific features that further extend the manageability and security of Apple Watch for businesses.

Organizations will soon be able to enroll and manage Apple Watch with the same MDM that manages the user’s paired iPhone, bringing familiar controls and streamlined configuration of secure network connections, settings configuration and app management to a broader range of devices. This will allow organizations pioneering innovative new wearable use cases to define best practices and security requirements that can be deployed consistently, at scale.

Apple TV in hospitality and conference rooms

Many organizations already deploy Apple TV for dynamic digital signage and kiosk experiences across a variety of industries, including hospitality, retail and more. The introduction of AirPlay support in hotels will make it seamless and secure, as users no longer need to enter their personal accounts into smart TVs. Apple users can enjoy all of their favorite content on the big screen while traveling with their personal or corporate Apple devices.

Apple will also be adding support for deploying secure network connections with VPN and 802.1x ethernet connections, preparing Apple TV for a host of new enterprise use cases. Continuity Camera support being extended to Apple TV makes the biggest screen in your office (or home) the best display for video conferencing. In addition to FaceTime, both Zoom and WebEx will be bringing their apps to tvOS. Paired with the existing support for deploying apps and settings to Apple TV with MDM, the platform is poised to dominate the enterprise as a secure, digital communication hub.

The next dimension of computing is spatial

To the delight of many, WWDC saw the return of Apple’s famous “One more thing…” The introduction of Apple Vision Pro truly set the stage for the next dimension of computing. Grounded strongly in reality, the Apple Vision Pro shared an inspiring vision (pun intended) of a future without a trackpad or touch screen.

Apple explained how visionOS frees users from the constraints of the traditional computer monitor, allowing users to place all of their apps anywhere in their environment. Apple showed how work collaborations can feel more intimate by placing life-sized people in the room and a virtual whiteboard on the wall.

Among the first use-case examples Apple highlighted was a 3D model of a heart and the significant benefits to education this platform can offer. They also highlighted how designers can visualize a 3D model and how businesses can pre-visualize production lines before manufacturing begins. Apple also showed us how existing productivity apps, like Microsoft Excel and Word can be experienced on Apple Vision Pro and announced that video conferencing apps like Teams, WebEx and Zoom can use your digital persona for video conferencing.

Apple traditionally launches products with broad consumer appeal and then iterates toward enterprise use cases and supporting frameworks. Uniquely, this wide array of enterprise use cases was highlighted as part of the announcement. Apple clearly sees a massive opportunity to transform the very nature of work with Apple Vision Pro and spatial computing.

Advancing the enterprise

Regardless of which platform excites you most, it’s clear that Apple is making major strides across all of its platforms to advance the power and capability of Apple at work. Some enhancements will be immediately valuable to organizations deploying Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and Apple Watch at work. Other innovations, such as spatial computing with Apple Vision Pro, offer a new world of possibilities for the enterprise that has yet to be explored.

The cumulative effect of WWDC 2023 cannot be understated. Apple is truly advancing into the enterprise in all dimensions.