The annual Apple WWDC 2021 developer conference is being held this year from June 7 to 11, which is just a few days away. Traditionally, this conference has focused on new software, although there are rare occasions when some new hardware is also mentioned. Between the abandonment of Intel and Apple Glass, it is not impossible that this year will be a little outside the norm. In this file, we take stock of everything we know at this stage about the event.
Apple has held an annual developer conference called WWDC (Apple Worldwide Developers Conference) every year since 1987. The aim of this conference is traditionally to evangelize the developers of the ecosystem to the novelties which will impact the development of their applications. So the focus is usually on software rather than hardware. It is usually on this date that Apple unveils major new versions of macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and tvOS, as well as its latest applications and new services.
But they noted that in some years there are also some material announcements. In 2009 for example, Apple used WWDC to unveil new MacBook Pros and an iPhone 3GS. In 2013, Apple unveiled improved am versions of several products like the Mac Pro, Time Capsule, AirPort Extreme, and MacBook Air. In 2017, there were new iMacs, MacBooks, and Macbook Pros, along with the new iMac Pro, 10.5-inch iPad Pro, and the first-gen HomePod. In 2019, we discovered the Apple Pro Display XDR screen and the 3rd generation Mac Pro.
As recently as last year, Apple launched a prototype Mac Mini ARM at its WWDC conference. You will understand, at Apple, this conference will be the occasion for some material announcements, especially since we are still in the year of transition to M1 processors and Apple has a lot of projects. Under the elbow that we have been talking about for some time. Attendees normally pay full price ($ 1,599) to attend the event, as there are many workshops taking place. This year, like last year, WWDC they will hold 2021 only online, COVID-19 requires.
How To Stream The WWDC 2021 Keynote
Apple organizes like every year a keynote broadcast live. It is during this keynote that it entitle us to the most important announcements. This year, it will take place on Monday, June 7. Apple will broadcast the event live on its official website, via the Apple TV app and on YouTube. The live video is already ready: you can return to this folder to watch the event live or set an alarm to make sure you don’t miss the date.
When Will WWDC 2021 Take Place And What Is The Program?
This year it will hold the 23rd Worldwide Developers Conference from June 7 to 11, 2021. They will hold the introductory keynote on June 7, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. KST. This will be the most interesting and mainstream conference. A few hours later, Apple organized a State of the Union conference, more specific for developers. On June 10, Apple will also announce the winners of the Apple Design Awards, the competition that showcases the best apps in the App Store. Here is the precise program:
- June 7, 2021 at 7 p.m. (Europe): introductory keynote with probably the most important announcements
- June 7, 2021 at 11 p.m. (Europe): more technical State of the Union keynote on developers. This year this conference could interest all the same given the Epic Games vs Apple affair and the questioning of the model of levying a commission of 30% on the App Store.
- June 10, 2021: Apple to announce winners of Apple Design Awards
As WWDC 2021 remains virtual, Apple does not charge for conference access – the ticket normally costs $ 1,599. Developers will however have free access to most conferences and workshops that usually justify the trip and pay a high price. Over 200 sessions will allow you to deepen the technical announcements of the firm, with videos to which developers can refer thereafter. Apple also offers to make an appointment for one-on-one sessions called “lab Appointment”, to give advice on interface design, or around the publication of applications on the App Store.
Apple also offers to connect with over a thousand Apple engineers through the Apple Developer Forums. It will also organize games and contests throughout the week, and the firm promises many goodies accessible via the Apple Developer application .
WWDC 2021: What Will Be The Announcements And News?
This year, the theme of WWDC 2021 is “Glow and Behold”, a pun on the expression “Lo and behold” which can be translated in this context as “Admire”, distorting the first word “Lo” in “Glow” which means “shine”. We already understand that Apple has every intention of putting it in our eyes (and we hope it will not be glitter ^^). Here are the announcements we expect:
IOS 15
Every year Apple unveils a new version of iOS. We therefore expect iOS 15, even if, it must be said, the indiscretions have not been very many since 2020. iMessage should in the process benefit from some improvements, just to hinder WhatsApp and keep iPhone users in its rich SMS applications. Apple should also return to the load on Privacy with a menu that shows which applications are collecting your data in the background. Apple should respond to Google, which is following Apple on privacy in Android 12. they should enhance the Notifications with more artificial intelligence to show you only those that apply to the context. In the health functions, the monitoring of the diet should land.
IPADOS 15
Apple should strengthen the offer of Widgets and allow them to be organized more freely on the home screen.
MACOS 12
Apple is expected to leave Big Sur in the rearview mirror for a new version of macOS, presumably called macOS 12. So far hardly any info has leaked. We are therefore eager to learn more from an official source.
WATCHOS 8
Apple Watch should benefit from new Health features. The details of these features remain unknown. We know Apple is working on new sensors, such as a glucose sensor. Maybe the firm speaks about it on this occasion.
TVOS 15
The next version of the operating system for Apple TVs should strengthen its gaming orientation.
The List Of Applications Taking Part In The APPLE Design Awards
Apple has unveiled the list of applications nominated to participate in the Apple Design Awards. Here is the complete list by categories as you can consult it on the official site:
INCLUSIVENESS
- 1Password (AgileBits Inc.)
- A Monster’s Expedition (Draknek Limited)
- Alba (ustwo games)
- HoloVista (Aconite)
- Me: A Kid’s Diary by Tinybop (Tinybop Inc.)
- Voice Dream Reader (Voice Dream LLC)
LEISURE AND GAMES
- Little Orpheus (The Chinese Room)
- Pok Pok Playroom (Pok Pok)
- Poolside FM (Poolsuite)
- RakugakiAR (Whatever Inc.)
- South of the Circle (State of Play Games)
- Wonderbox (AQUIRIS GAME STUDIO LLC)
INTERACTION
- Bird Alone (George Batchelor)
- CARROT Weather (Brian Mueller, Grailr LLC)
- Craft (Liki Labs Limited)
- Nova (Panic)
- Sp! Ng (SMG Studio)
- Wonderbox (AQUIRIS GAME STUDIO LLC)
“SOCIAL IMPACT”
- Alba (ustwo games)
- Attack 1942 (Charles Games sro)
- Be My Eyes (Be My Eyes)
- Brief (Broadsheet)
- If Found… (Annapurna Interactive)
- Klima (Climate Labs GmbH)
VISUALS AND GRAPHICS
- Beyond a Steel Sky (Revolution)
- Genshin Impact (miHoYo Limited)
- Little Orpheus (The Chinese Room)
- Loóna (Loona Inc)
- Mission to Mars AR (SN Digital LLC)
- (Not Boring) Weather (Andy Works LLC)
INNOVATION
- Bird Alone (George Batchelor)
- Blind Drive (Lo-Fi People)
- LoL: Wild Rift (Riot Games)
- Museum Alive (Alchemy Immersive Ltd)
- NaadSadhana (Sandeep Ranade)
- Universe (Universe Exploration Company)
The stakes are high for these developers: if they win, it will highlight their application on the App Store.
Will There Also Be Announcements Of New Products (Material Announcements)?
As we said above, it is quite possible. Apple has already offered updates to its computer and iPhone lines in the past, even with new products occasionally. However, as we are in a year of transition to processors designed in-house, there is every chance that Apple will announce new macs equipped with this chip. It could also be for Apple to unveil the range of chips above. We expect a more powerful “M” chip for professionals and demanding users. We regularly talk about this chip under its provisional name M1X.
But we also know that Apple has other projects in the making, with radically different devices that would justify a prior presentation to the developers. Obviously the presentation of these two products on the sidelines of WWDC 2021 is purely speculative at this stage. Especially since the rumors around these products seem to have calmed down a bit for several months.
