14 DAY TRIAL // The last few months brought us all kinds of rumors regarding Apple’s agenda at this year’s WWDC, and now that the conference is just around the corner, we can finally get a more accurate look at what to expect from the Cupertino-based tech giant.
A report from Bloomberg points to the obvious: software will be the key focus of the developer event, and hardware will be a topic that Apple will discuss later this year.
Specifically, Apple is expected to take the wraps off a new tool called Digital Health, which will help monitor the time spent using devices and apps in a very efficient manner.
This system comes after criticism from a number of organizations that Apple should provide customers with more advanced tools to tackle smartphone addiction, and iOS 12 will come with such options included in the Settings app.
Two of the most appealing topics concerning both devs and consumer will be iOS 12 and AR. Apple is expected to preview iOS 12 and discuss its investments in augmented reality, with the cited source suggesting that an ARKit 2.0 is likely to be showcased.
No new hardware
As for the rumors pointing to new hardware coming at WWDC, they were fake. By the looks of things, Apple is indeed planning new devices, including refreshed MacBook Pro models and a low-cost MacBook Air successor, but the unveiling will take place later this year, most likely in the fall. An upgraded iPad Pro with Face ID support is also expected by the end of 2019.
The iPhone lineup will be refreshed in the fall, and a second-generation SE could be introduced along the iPhone X successor and not at WWDC, as some rumors pointed out.
Two new Apple Watch models with similar dimensions but slightly larger and edge-to-edge screens are in the works as well, but again, they won’t see daylight next week. On the other hand, Apple will announce a new face at WWDC.
Seeing Apple focused so much on software perfectly makes sense since WWDC is first and foremost a developer event, so look forward to the fall for new hardware coming from the Cupertino firm.