Apple is ready to carry its greatest software program occasion of the yr: its Worldwide Builders Convention, or WWDC. And there’s anticipated to be one massive factor on the schedule.
WWDC is the occasion the place Apple updates each one in every of its merchandise with new software program and options. As such, it should see iOS 18 for the iPhone in addition to a spread of different new working system variations.
All can be revealed on 10 June, when Apple screens its opening keynote dwell around the globe.
However right here is every little thing we learn about WWDC 2024 forward of the occasion.
Synthetic intelligence
AI is predicted to be the central theme of this yr’s occasion. Apple doesn’t often give a lot away about its launches, however has already flagged this prematurely, with advertising and marketing boss Greg Joswiak treating that the occasion can be “Completely Unimaginable”. (The capital letters are his.)
Apple had lengthy resisted utilizing the phrase AI, and although it has been introducing comparable applied sciences in each its {hardware} and software program, it has usually marketed them as being “proactive” or primarily based on “machine studying”. Now – after urging from traders and commentators who feared it was being left behind – it appears prepared to make use of the phrase and extra explicitly announce these updates.
Whereas it’s almost sure that there can be a powerful AI focus, it’s much less clear what these AI updates can be. However it seems that Apple will largely preserve its method of specializing in seasoning its working system with new AI upgrades, quite than including spectacular however not essentially helpful new options.
These may embody mechanically generated Apple Music playlists, computerized help with writing and coding, and an improved Siri that’s each higher at conversing with individuals and getting issues carried out.
Apple may also provide extra dramatic generative AI instruments, and rumours have urged that it has been in dialogue with each Google and ChatGPT creators OpenAI to construct them. That may let individuals generate a picture by asking for one, as an illustration.
It’s doubtless that lots of Apple’s merchandise will get their very own AI-infused updates – even when it’s simply within the type of an improved Siri. However Apple often focuses on bringing new updates to the iPhone first, after which rolls them out to different platforms such because the iPad.
Different software program upgrades
AI would be the important focus, however in all probability gained’t be the only real improve.
The iPhone as an illustration is rumoured to be getting a extra customisable residence display. That might let customers place the apps wherever they need them, as an illustration, quite than being pressured to drop them within the current line-up grid.
Apple tends to replace each one in every of its merchandise at WWDC – so anticipate new options for the Mac, Watch, Apple TV, Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional and HomePod. However rumours have targeted on the brand new AI instruments, and it isn’t but clear what these upgrades may carry.
Imaginative and prescient Professional within the UK and elsewhere
Apple first launched its augmented actuality headset at WWDC final yr, and it arrived in February. Then, it stated that it was on its option to different international locations, however there was no signal of it but.
Quite a few experiences have urged that it’s lastly on its method, nevertheless. Tim Prepare dinner has stated that it’s coming to China this yr, and job adverts recommend that Apple is making ready to supply it within the UK, Australia, Japan and elsewhere.
WWDC would provide an excellent alternative to announce the headsets public launch.
Apple can also be anticipated to supply the brand new model of VisionOS, the working system that powers the headset. And the corporate has been calmly criticised for failing to maintain momentum after the discharge by launching new immersive content material for the headset, so it’d unveil a few of that too.
New {hardware}
WWDC is Apple’s software program occasion, and that tends to get more often than not throughout its bulletins. Nevertheless it generally makes use of the highlight to introduce new {hardware} as nicely, and tends to concentrate on skilled instruments when it does so.
There are nonetheless a spread of merchandise which might be but to be upgraded to Apple’s M3 collection of chips, together with the Mac Studio and Mac Professional, each of which acquired updates final yr. However rumours have urged that they may skip them fully, and get the M4 chip that arrived within the new iPad Professional earlier this yr.