Apple WWDC 2018: all of the rumors from the iOS 12 and new MacBook keynote
The WWDC 2018 date is June and the rumors are plentiful
2018 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference
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| WWDC 2018 |
Every year Apple gets together an audience of developers, Apple loyalists, and journalists for its Worldwide Developers Conference, a showcase for everything that's coming up on Apple's various software platforms: platforms covering phones, tablets, laptops and more.
This year WWDC runs from Monday 4 June to Friday 8 June, though most of the big announcements are going to happen right at the start, as CEO Tim Cook and other Apple executives take to the stage. Here's everything we're expecting to be revealed at WWDC.
Apple is expected to expected to make big news at WWDC with the launch of iOS 12 and macOS 11.14. Sure new iOS and macOS version get announced here annually, but more is on the line in 2018. Google wowed everyone at its Google IO keynote with groundbreaking demos. Apple's software has a lot to answer for.
For developers, WWDC offers a chance to get an idea of what they’ll be working within 2018 so they can start planning. For everyone else, it’s a glimpse at the interface refinements and exciting new devices ahead of theorized iPhone 9 and iPhone XI.
Last year’s WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) saw the announcement of the HomePod and iPad Pro 12.9 and iPad Pro 10.5. This was also when Apple revealed iOS 11 and watchOS 4. This year, we're hearing rumors about new MacBooks.
WWDC 2018 is at the top of next month. Here's all of the buzzes ahead of the next big Apple keynote.
Apple WWDC 2018 date and time
The official Apple WWDC 2018 date is Monday, June 4. The start time hasn't been announced yet, but we fully expect it to be at the usual 10:00 am PT, 1:00 pm ET, 6pm BST. If you're in Australia, that's going to be 3:00 am AEST on Tuesday.
WWDC will once again take place at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. Apple hasn't disclosed its live stream plans for the developer conference, but it's safe to assume you'll be able to what a live keynote video as it happens.
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| Apple WWDC 2018 date and time |
WWDC 2018: IOS 12
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| WWDC 2018: IOS 12 |
That said, rumors have persisted that Apple wants to let developers release apps that work on both iOS and macOS. That's an outside bet for this year, we'd say, but it could happen – especially with more and more Chromebooks supporting Android apps.
Improvements to Siri and the augmented reality capabilities of iOS are very, very likely, and considering Apple made so much of Animoji last year, we reckon these cute cartoon characters will appear in more places too. Health and fitness features should get a boost too, though exactly what that will entail we're not sure.
All of the major iOS apps will get enhancements, from Maps to Mail, though again don't expect anything too mind-blowing. We'd like to see group calls finally make it to FaceTime, and apparently, a redesigned Stocks app is on the way – try and contain your excitement levels for that one, if you can.
ipdad pro 12.9 2018 rumors
iPhone SE 2 debut
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| iPhone SE 2 debut |
The Eurasian Economic Commission had a number of new iOS 11 devices registered with it recently. There's a strong record of products leaked by the agency launching within a couple months of registration with the agency, so WWDC on June 4 would be a grand stage for something to launch within that time frame.
We expect a new iPhone X2, iPhone X2 Plus, and a cheaper LCD iPhone in 2018, but we don't believe they'll launch until September. It would be highly unusual for Apple to launch a successor to the iPhone X so soon, especially since the iPhone X itself launched late into 2017. That's why odds are in favor of the device registration pointing towards a new iPhone SE 2 in a variety of sizes and colors.
Though we've been waiting over two years to see an update of the iPhone SE, we may not be waiting much longer.
WWDC 2018: MACOS 10.14
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| WWDC 2018: MACOS 10.14 |
We certainly have heard talk that iOS and macOS could merge to some extent, as we mentioned above. Other analysts have poured cold water on those rumors, saying that such a merger won't happen until 2019 at the earliest, if it ever happens at all.
As with iOS 12, the big apps in Apple's portfolio will all get updated again – remember last year Safari got the ability to auto-mute videos playing on the web? Expect a lot more little improvements like this, though jaw-dropping moments might be few and far between (we'd like to mention group video calls in FaceTime again, just in case Apple's engineers are reading this).
Rumors of new features for macOS 10.14 have been thin on the ground, which is perhaps a sign that the software has matured so much that there's not much left for Apple to do with it. We'll have to wait and see what gets demoed on stage when WWDC arrives.
WWDC 2018: WATCHOS 5
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| WWDC 2018: WATCHOS 5 |
App development for the Apple Watch has stalled a little in recent years, and a lot of the biggest names in smartphone apps don't seem to think it's worth putting out separate apps for something with such a dinky screen.
It would be nice to get sleep tracking with a watchOS 5 update, but that's based more on wishful thinking rather than anything we've heard discussed. One of the problems with that is the short battery life of the Apple Watch, which tends to leave the device flagging by the end of the day.
Speaking of wishful thinking, an always-on watch face (like Wear OS) and Face ID unlock have been mooted. Even if watchOS 5 lays the foundations for those features, we'll probably have to wait for the Apple Watch Series 4 to see them implemented.
2018 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference
WWDC 2018: TVOS 12
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| WWDC 2018: TVOS 12 |
Prepare yourself for another minor upgrade this time around – at least in terms of the stuff you can actually do with an Apple TV. What we do know for sure is that Apple wants to turn itself into a kind of Netflix service, producing original content alongside all the hardware and software it already makes.
WWDC 2018 might be a bit too early for anything major in this department, but Apple could well unveil new partnerships and new apps to lay the groundwork for a push into movies and shows sometime next year. After a quiet 2017, this year could be the year when tvOS becomes much more important.
Elsewhere, look for improvements to Siri on the Apple TV, and a further expansion of the Apple TV's capabilities as a HomeKit hub for your smart home. Support for other services and apps might be some of the biggest upgrades for tvOS this year.
New iPhone 2018 hints at WWDC 2018?
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| WWDC 2018 NEW IPHONE 2018 |
The latest rumors suggest that two models of the iPhone XI will be coming this year. With one expected to have an extra large 6.46-inch screen while the other has a 5.85-screen, both OLED displays. Neither is expected to be cheap, and it's been suggested that they may switch from running on Qualcomm modems to ones made by Intel.
As for rumors of a cheaper iPhone X, rumors have floated around about a version lacking 3D Touch and using a cheaper LCD display could be that cheaper iPhone X, but we’ll probably be waiting a few months after WWDC to find out.
While Apple is busy highlighting other cool stuff it has coming at WWDC 2018, why not top it off with exciting new TV show previews, even if they are nine months away?
Stay tuned as we update our expectations for WWDC 2018 with more Apple news and rumors as we hear them.
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