Tuesday, June 11, 2013

What to expect from Apple at WWDC 2013: iOS 7, OS X 10.9, new Macs, iPhone 6, iPad 5?

Apple's WWDC will kick off on today. Here's what you should expect to see, and what you shouldn't

On 24 April, Apple announced that its annual Worldwide Developers Conference will take place in San Francisco from 10 June to 14 June. Speculation about what could be unveiled during the conference includes a new Mac Pro, new MacBooks, iPhone 6, iPad 5, a new iPad mini an iWatch, an Apple Television and more. In a press release, Apple revealed that developers in attendance will be treated to an "in-depth look" at the future of iOS and OS X, which we expect means previews of iOS 7 and OS X 10.9, Apple's next mobile and Mac operating systems, at WWDC 2013

"At the five-day conference, developers from around the world will learn about the future of iOS and OS X, enabling them to create incredible new apps with innovative features," the press release reads. "WWDC will also feature more than 100 technical sessions presented by over 1,000 Apple engineers, hands-on labs to help developers integrate new technologies, as well as the popular Apple Design awards, a showcase of the most outstanding apps available through the App Store and Mac App Store."

All 5,000 tickets for the event, which cost £1,050 each, sold out within two minutes – a record for Apple. In 2012, it took two hours for the tickets to sell out, and the previous year's tickets sold out in 10 hours. "Enthusiasm for WWDC 2013 has been incredible," Apple wrote on its Developer site shortly after the tickets were released. For those developers unable to attend, Apple will be posting videos of all the sessions online during the conference

WWDC 2013: What to expect

WWDC will kick off with an Apple keynote today. Here, we've rounded up all new Apple products that are rumoured to be in the pipeline, and shared our thoughts about how likely we are to see those products unveiled at WWDC this year.

Last year, Apple launched its Retina MacBook Pro at the WWDC 2012 keynote, and also showed off iOS 6 and OS X Mountain Lion previews, so Apple watchers are eagerly anticipating what is in store at this year's event.

See: WWDC history: Apple product launches from the past 10 years
Apple insider Jim Dalrymple from The Loop (previously of Macworld) has shared his predictions about what's in store at Apple's WWDC. He expects that there won't be a new iPhone or iPad unveiling, but that iOS 7 will be the talking point of the event, with new Macs and OS X announcements too.

It's pretty certain that we'll get our first look at iOS 7 at WWDC this year, despite rumours that "dramatic changes" in the new mobile operating system risk putting Apple behind schedule.

In May, Bloomberg cited anonymous sources in a report that suggests Apple design guru Jony Ive, who took on software design responsibilities in addition to his hardware design leadership following an executive shakeup at Apple last year, has envisioned a major revamp of iOS for the next iteration. This rumour was backed up by Apple CEO Tim Cook during his D11 interview in May, when he confirmed that Ive has been "key" in the development of iOS 7.

It's been reported that, as a result of the shakeup, which saw former software boss Scott Forstall leave the company, Ive has ordered a major redesign of iOS, which has not seen an overhaul since it was rolled out in 2007. This redesign is expected to be "flatter" and will likely see the end of skeuomorphic design elements that Forstall is said to have loved, such as realistic-looking wooden bookshelves and sticking within apps.

Bloomberg's sources said that Ive has been "exploring more dramatic changes" for the calendar and email apps in iOS, and is also "methodically reviewing" new designs, but added that these changes may not be ready this year and therefore might be pushed back to following releases.

These significant changes mean that engineers been "racing" to finish iOS 7 in time to preview it at WWDC today.

And now the question: What is coming?







iOS 7











OSX 10.9 aka Mavericks

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