Apple announces date for WWDC: here is what to expect

APPLE has announced the date for its big event of the year. Here is what to expect when it unveils its vision of the future at WWDC.

WANT to know what Apple is doing next? Now we know when they will announce it.

Apple today announced it would be holding its annual World Wide Developers Conference in the second week of June, from June 8 to June 12.

The conference, held at the Moscone West convention centre in San Francisco, is an event pitched at developers who make things that run on Apple devices.

The press is invited for one day, after that it’s behind closed doors as Apple and developers get their geek on.

But for Apple fans, there is a lot of interest in that one public day because Apple uses WWDC to unveil new products and to layout its map of the future.

Last year, it showed off Yosemite, the operating system for the Mac, and iOS 8, the operating system for mobile devices, and how the two would come together. There was also an emphasis on the Health App, a key part in the fitness focus of the Apple Watch.

WWDC is a chance for Apple to show off cool stuff and to make a point. The point, famously made last year by Apple’s senior vice president of marketing, was “can’t innovate, my arse!”.

The year before, Apple used WWDC to unveil new computers, a much needed revamp to its mobile operating system and iTunes Radio, its first step into the streaming music market.

So here is what you can expect at WWDC 2015

Shiny and new ... expect a lot of boosting about the success of the Apple Watch. Picture: Getty.

Apple Watch

No, not new models but perhaps new features. This year, the event will come just a few months after the release of the Apple Watch, and there will clearly be some sort of focus on that. There could be software updates, perhaps extending some key iOS Apple apps to the Watch. Or there could be a display of some new third-party apps on the device. Here is a prediction: if you want an Apple Watch now, you’re likely to want one even more after WWDC. Also, Apple may reveal numbers of how many Apple Watches are out there. Prepare to applaud, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Change ahead? ... the simple Apple TV is due for an upgrade.

Apple TV

The basic hardware of the Apple TV is pretty well overdue for an upgrade. At the recent March event, Apple announced US pricing for the current Apple TV would drop, and a new service (again, US only) of an HBO streaming channel would begin. Many have predicted this before, but this could be the time Apple releases a new Apple TV. Likely features are 4K streaming, Siri integration and smart home control.

Upgrade ... the rumoured pro iPad would be just like an iPad but more of everything. Photo: James Tindale

iPad

Given the product roll out for iPads, you probably can’t expect to see a new iPad at this event. But you might. And that just might be the much rumoured 12-inch iPad pro which has been predicted for more than a year and might not exist. But then again it might. Apple has teamed up with former foe IBM in a partnership to make the iPad more attractive to business. A bigger iPad with the ability to split the screen would be in line with that.

Double screen ... yes, it’s always nice to get a new iPhone. But it’s not going to happen just yet. Picture: AFP

iPhones

If someone says there will be new iPhones released at WWDC, tell them they’re dreaming. Back in the day (by which we mean just a couple of years ago), Apple used WWDC to unveil iPhones. The iPhone 3G and the iPhone 4 were unveiled at WWDC events. But Apple since has locked down September as iPhone season.

Mac Pro. Apple revealed the Mac Pro last year at WWDC and the fans went “aaahhhh!”

Computers

A new iMac? Quite possibly. Updates to the MacBook Air range? Yep, quite possibly too.

Music

Just what is Apple thinking of doing with Music? Since it bought Beats, it’s been a case of wait and see of what happens next. Sure, you can buy Beats headphones in Apple Stores but so what. We know there is a new Music app coming. It seems likely that WWDC this year will also involve an announcement of a new Apple streaming music service using the power of the Beats brand.

On the OS ... expect updates to Mac and mobile operating systems.

Operating system

Expect to see a new operating system for both the Apple mobile devices, iOS 9, and the operating system for Macs. That’s not really a prediction; it’s more of a fact. The tagline for WWDC 2015 is “the epicentre of change” and Apple has said developers will learn about the future of iOS and OS X. One of the big features of last year was bringing the two together. Expect more of the same — but more different. There will also be talk about programming language just as there was last year. You will know that’s happening because the press side of the room will suddenly go quiet (and slightly bored) while the app developer side of the room will sound like a bunch of five-year-olds who have just found where the red jelly beans have been hiding.

What you won’t get at WWDC 2015

You won’t see selfie sticks as Apple has banned them. That’s because they’re dangerous in a crowd. Also, they are a little embarrassing. Although if Sir Jony Ive was to design a selfie stick, things would be different.