Apple’s highly anticipated annual developer conference, WWDC, is set to commence in Cupertino, California, next week. As per tradition, the event will kick off with a livestream keynote on Monday morning at 10 am Pacific Time, which is 1 pm Eastern Time. Our team will be present at the event, providing live coverage and insights. Before diving into the speculated announcements, it’s crucial to highlight what we probably won’t see: major hardware updates. Given Apple’s current upgrade cycles and a noticeable shift towards the M4 chip, significant hardware unveilings seem unlikely at this year’s WWDC.
Nevertheless, this doesn’t dampen the excitement, as this year’s conference promises substantial software revelations. iOS, which has seen relatively incremental updates in recent years, is poised for a significant overhaul.
WWDC 2024 Spotlight on AI
A predominant theme expected at WWDC is Apple’s foray into generative AI. This trend aligns with the broader tech industry’s focus, as evidenced by numerous leaks and reports from sources like Bloomberg and The Information. These suggest that Apple is gearing up to reposition itself as a frontrunner in AI innovation.
Historically, Apple has integrated machine learning into iOS and other platforms, enhancing functionalities such as image editing and smart recommendations. However, recent advancements in AI models open up a plethora of new possibilities. We’ve seen impressive developments from companies like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft, and it appears Apple is ready to make significant strides in this domain as well.
Although specific details are scarce, several potential AI-driven features could be unveiled. These might include auto-generated summaries in apps like Mail, innovative ad-blocking or web interaction methods in Safari, AI-assisted code editing in Xcode similar to GitHub Copilot, clip art generation for iWork documents, more conversational and comprehensive responses from Siri, advanced image editing tools, expanded accessibility options, and new transcription capabilities.
Additionally, there are strong indications that Apple has been in discussions with companies like OpenAI and Google. It even seems likely that a partnership has been established with OpenAI to enhance Siri and other parts of the iOS or macOS experience with external AI chatbot support. Although Apple has experimented with its own chatbot, it’s unlikely to be ready as a robust alternative to established ones like ChatGPT. At the very least, users can expect Apple to collaborate with at least one major AI provider, probably OpenAI, to supplement Siri and Spotlight queries.
Speculations also hint at the possibility of Apple offering users a choice among multiple AI providers or even launching an AI App Store. However, the exact nature of these integrations remains to be seen.
iOS and iPadOS 18
The upcoming iOS 18 and its counterpart iPadOS 18, set for release later this year alongside new iPhones (likely around September or October), will be a focal point at WWDC. This event typically serves as the first glimpse into the major features Apple has planned for these updates.
While Apple usually unveils most new iOS features during the WWDC keynote, some features linked to yet-to-be-announced iPhone hardware might be reserved for a later reveal. This year, rumors suggest a significant overhaul of the Control Center and Settings, alongside numerous new machine learning, large language model (LLM), and image generation features.
One intriguing rumor points to a new home screen feature that enables users to quickly recolor app icons, creating a cohesive color palette across their device. Apple might also address long-standing criticisms about the “wobble mode” home screen management by allowing users to place icons freely.
Expectations for iOS 18 also include major updates to the Messages app, such as new text effects and formatting options. There’s a strong likelihood that Apple will elaborate on RCS support in iOS. Generative AI might enable users to create custom emojis or stickers, enhancing the personalization of their messages.
Furthermore, some visual changes to iOS are anticipated, possibly drawing inspiration from the visual design language seen in visionOS earlier this year. And finally, iPadOS users can rejoice as the long-awaited calculator app is reportedly on the horizon.
visionOS 2
Despite the Vision Pro headset and visionOS being relatively new, Apple is expected to discuss advancements and new features for this “spatial computing” platform at WWDC. A key announcement might be the international launch of the Vision Pro, which was initially released in the US earlier this year. With demand slowing domestically, expanding to other regions could be crucial for increasing adoption and developer interest.
The Vision Pro is seen primarily as a tool for developers, aimed at fostering software development for future, more consumer-friendly devices. Launching it internationally would not only broaden its user base but also encourage developers to create more content for a larger audience.
Regarding the operating system, several improvements are anticipated. These might include more native apps from Apple, as many existing apps are currently just adapted iPad versions. Significant accessibility enhancements, such as real-time captions and translations, and the ability to rearrange apps on the homescreen are also likely.
Content for visionOS has been limited so far, with only a few immersive videos and mixed reality games available. We can expect updates in this area, possibly with new content announcements to enrich the user experience.
macOS 15
macOS, the cornerstone of Apple’s ecosystem, typically receives fewer major updates compared to iOS. However, it is expected to incorporate some of the same AI-driven features coming to iOS, though these will likely be limited to Macs with recent chips. Enhancements to Siri and AI-assisted coding in Xcode are among the probable additions.
Another potential update is a further overhaul of the Settings app, alongside updates to built-in apps to align with similar changes on the mobile side. Apple has been steadily enhancing game development tools for Mac and other platforms, introducing features like hardware-enabled ray-tracing and AI upscaling. WWDC may bring more announcements in this realm, benefiting not just macOS but also iOS, iPadOS, visionOS, and tvOS.
watchOS, tvOS, and Beyond
Less is known about what to expect for Apple’s other platforms, like watchOS and tvOS. Typically, watchOS updates include new watch faces and additional workout options. More substantial changes, like new health tracking features, are often reserved for hardware announcements in the fall. There are currently no specific rumors about tvOS or updates for HomePod or AirPods software and firmware.
WWDC might also cover updates to Apple services such as iCloud, TV+, or Music, continuing its trend of enhancing its service ecosystem.
Beyond the Keynote
Following the keynote, the “Platforms State of the Union” talk will provide a more in-depth look at the conference’s announcements from a developer’s perspective. While the keynote focuses on user-oriented updates, the state of the union session dives into the technical details for developers.
Throughout the week, numerous additional sessions will explore specific APIs and features. These talks, primarily targeted at developers, will provide the necessary tools and knowledge to implement the new features unveiled during the keynote.
In conclusion, while WWDC might not bring significant hardware announcements, it promises to be a landmark event for software developments, especially in the realm of AI and user experience enhancements across Apple’s ecosystem.
