Let’s just say it out loud: It’s that time of the year again! Cupertino-based technology giant Apple’s top executives will today be taking center stage at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California to kick-off its developer extravaganza.
Known as Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Cupertino will land on stage, all guns blazing, talking about the updates to its most prominent software platforms — iOS and MacOS(along with tvOS and watchOS). It will also be providing us, the techies as well as developers, more detail about its plans to compete with its uber-innovative and fast-moving rivals in terms of hardware and smart home products.
We’re not only expecting to learn more about the company’s software-focused updates. This time around, the rumor mill suggests that Apple will be showing off some of its new hardware innovations during the keynote speech on stage at WWDC as well. There is a possibility that Cupertino will at least take the wraps off one hardware product — the much-rumored Siri speaker — finally making it step foot beyond the PC and mobile. Rumblings about Mac Pro and iPad upgrades have also been making rounds of the interwebs.
As for the timing, you can switch into Apple’s WWDC live stream (yes, they’re doing it this time as well) right here at 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT / 10:30 P.M IST on June 5th, i.e Monday. You have the following options to tune into the live stream:
- You can open Safari or Edge browser (any browser that uses HTTP Live Streaming [HLS] technology) on Mac and Windows 10 respectively to stream the keynote.
- You can also use Safari on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 7.0 or later.
- Second, third and fourth-generation Apple TV, running software 6.2 or later, can also be used to watch the stream. You can download the Apple Events app.
Expectations
iOS 11: The legacy of iOS 10, which was touted to be one of the biggest updates to the mobile operating system, will come to an end within hours. The most notable announcement of the WWDC conference, the one which receives the most catcalls, is the unveiling of the next iteration of iOS. This time around Apple will upgrade its offering to iOS 11 and is expected to ‘an updated user interface’ with this version, reported Bloomberg earlier this year.
There is not much information to go by but Cupertino is said to be working on a full-blown ‘dark mode’ for iOS 11, which will add to the UI overhaul and the introduction of an OLED panel with the iPhone 8. The software is also expected to debut updates to other default apps or services such as Apple Pay, Messages, Gallery, Notifications and others. Most importantly — Siri, but we’ll talk about the same in detail underneath.
MacOS: Apple will gather applause for its feature updates to its desktop operating system, which is expected to be incremental in nature. There is presently no info on whether Cupertino is planning to pull the rug from under us by debuting a massive overhaul, but we’re expecting only minor changes to the software. It will most likely polish out and build on the features it had added to the platform last year.
Siri speaker: Though this is not the much-rumored Siri speaker, speculations and leaks suggest that it will most likely adorn the design aesthetics of the Mac Pro. This means Siri will finally expand beyond its confines, at least we expect it to and be available in your homes through this cylindrical dustbin-shaped speaker — just a little smaller than this. Another significant announcement of the WWDC keynote address.
This will be Apple’s competitive attempt to take on its rivals, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, who’ve already made way into the consumer’s homes. To break this duopoly, the Siri speaker is also expected to lay immense emphasis on ‘superior’ sound quality to sell its competitive product in the market. Apple may be looking to integrate sensors into the speaker to measure a room’s acoustics and adjusting audio levels automatically during use
Apple Music: Rumors may suggest that the greatest Apple Music presenter, also the division’s marketer, Bozoma Saint John, may have departed the Cupertino giant but a user interface overhaul seems to be in store for the WWDC keynote. The company has been working on its original video content for the last year or so and is now expected to provide some preference (an exclusive section) within the app this time around. We already know that Carpool Karaoke is expected to go live on the platform on August 8, with a scheduled date for Planet of the Apps in store for today.
other updates: In addition, we’re also expected to hear about the company’s plans for the watchOS and its probable focus on new healthcare measures — maybe debuting its non-invasive glucometer. We will also hear updates to tvOS and its interoperability with other Apple platforms. There is also a possibility that Apple executives will drop hints about the company’s hardware efforts during the keynote. Stay glued to the live stream to hear about Mac Pro, MacBook Pro and also the new 10.5-inch iPad Pro.
Stay tuned for more updates and an extensive in-depth coverage of the developer conference here at The Tech Portal. Return back for instant information about all the good and latest stuff announced at WWDC 2017.
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