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Apple WWDC 2018: What To Expect From iPhone To iPad, HomePod To MacBook Air

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In just 11 days and a few hours, the Apple Keynote presentation that traditionally launches the World Wide Developers' Conference will have come to an end. Tim Cook will have introduced the event from the vast stage at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, and Apple VPs will have explained what to expect from software that will be deployed for iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Mac and HomePod.

David Phelan

Those journalists lucky enough to have scored an invite will be wringing their hands as they try to recover from the adrenalin-filled type-a-thon that is an Apple keynote live blog.

And the developers who make up most of the room will already be working out how the new announcements will affect them, preparing to get hold of the dev betas of everything they can get their hands on, assuming they haven't hopped on the (usually reliably excellent) wi-fi at the event to start their downloads.

So, what's on offer this year?

I covered quite a lot of the expectations on Forbes already, but things have moved on a little.

David Phelan

When and Where

This year, the event is taking place in San Jose, as it was in 2017, at the McEnery Convention Center. It'll be the 29th annual WWDC and will run from Monday, June 4 to Friday, June 8. That keynote starts at 10AM sharp and if last year's is anything to go by, will run for close to two hours. There's a lot to get through. Don't blink.

Apple

What to Expect

The clue is in the title: because it's aimed at developers, this event has always been software-driven since the last DubDub when an iPhone was launched – that was the iPhone 4, back in June 2010. That was when an iPhone had been left in a bar, you'll remember, so images had been widely seen. Steve Jobs said, "Some of you think you've seen this iPhone. Trust me, you haven't seen it."

And in a sense, he was right.

Because the focus on software that has been the case from 2011 onwards has made it much harder for things to leak before they're announced (though not impossible, as last September's leak of iOS software tipped off the public in a way Apple didn't care for.

David Phelan

I’m predicting a big emphasis on AR, too. I mean, take a look at the invite for the event - Apple has always put clues here and the 3D representations of 2D icons are a hint, I believe.

David Phelan

iOS 12

Nothing is certain with Apple, but nothing is more likely than the next version of iOS software, iOS 12, being announced. There will be whoops and cheers from the assembled developers but none from the journalists who are too busy typing, remember.

The latest rumors seem to confirm that after issues, to put it mildly, with some iOS releases this year, that next year's OS will be focused on fixing bugs, smoothing the experience and so on rather than a radical overhaul. But, again, when it's software Apple can manage to keep its cards closest to its chest. Will the much-coveted dark mode for iPhone finally arrive? Will iPhone follow iPad with a split screen mode? Will the battery icon on the iPhone X finally show the percentage again? Thirteen days from now we'll know all the answers.

Apple

macOS 10.14

There will also, definitely, be new Mac software announced. Expect a developers' beta on Monday, June 4, followed a few weeks later by a public beta and proper release in the Fall. We'll also hear what the new software will be named following the current High Sierra - unlike other pieces of Apple OS, Mac's editions of OS get names.

There seems to be a consensus that universal apps for Mac and iOS may be on the horizon. I mean, in many cases like Messages, Notes and so on, that's sort of what exists now, but the difference is that this will allow developers create one app for both platforms. See how simple I made that sound? I don't think it'll be quite so seamless for the developers to implement.

Apple

watchOS 5

Don't expect a public beta of the next Apple Watch software – there's never been one yet – though do expect a developers' beta that will confirm the importance of fitness, health and wellness which seems increasingly important to Apple. Expect a greater emphasis on sleep monitoring since Apple bought Beddit this time last year.

David Phelan

tvOS 12

There are likely to be developers' and public betas of the Apple TV operating software though details of what might emerge are scant, to say the least. Last year there was precious little news on the Apple TV front, with big announcements saved until the Apple TV 4K box was released in September.

Apple

Hardware

Although this is a software show, there may be room for some physical gadgets, too. Last year, this is when the HomePod was first revealed, and the most recent iPad Pro, the 10.5in screen model.

This year, well, there are rumors of a new HomePod. In my first prediction, I believe this may happen one day but it seems way too soon to be likely as early next month.

If I'm wrong, you can expect more quick-and-dirty dimly-lit photos snatched by hacks elbowing each other like there’s no tomorrow. (You know who you are, you boorish fools.)

Incidentally, if you've heard that Siri seems to be predicting that she'll be found in a new home, that is a new HomePod, when asked about WWDC, note that this is a response she came up when asked about WWDC in 2017, not this year.

There will doubtless be more information about (or perhaps the actual launch of) AirPower, the wireless charging pad for iPhone 8, 8 Plus and X, Apple Watch Series 3 and AirPods in their not-yet-launched compatible charging case. This was announced last September but hasn’t arrived yet.

Who knows, maybe the oft-rumored AirPods 2 may make an appearance?

Apple

Apple Mac

It’s been some time since the Apple MacBook range has been refreshed, even longer since the MacBook Air got some update love. So there may be room for this here. Forbes’s Ewan Spence feels that not making this a priority would be an oversight.

David Phelan

One More Thing

Tim Cook has made clear that it only invokes Steve Jobs’s celebrated phrase for special moments (the iPhone X was the last qualifier), so my guess is there won’t be a ‘one more thing’ this time around. If there is, I think it will be a new iPad Pro with Face ID, though this may be saved until the Fall. Since it is exactly a year since the last iPad Pro reveal there is a strong logic to it making an appearance in the keynote at some point, assuming it’s ready. My guess? I think it’s highly likely that this will be an announcement Apple will make in the Fall, not now.

The other rumored new product is the smaller-screened iPhone, a refresh of the iPhone SE. I’m going to stick my neck out and say it’s not happening, at least not at DubDub. Although there are persuasive leaks and suggestions which claim a new SE would have facial recognition, I just can’t see Apple putting FaceID into its entry-level phone. Not yet, at least.

As more rumors fly or leaks, er, leak, I’ll update this post, so do check back. And in a few days, everything will be revealed.

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