Apple WWDC 2024 Coming Up: What You Need To Know

Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will take place from June 10-14, with a keynote event scheduled for June 10 at 10 am Pacific Time. This keynote will be live-streamed on Apple's website, YouTube, and the Apple TV app. The event is aimed at third-party software and hardware developers, but it also serves as a platform for Apple to reveal its software plans and possibly announce new products.

At WWDC, Apple offers developers and Apple customers a first look at new versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, plus this year we'll see a new version of visionOS. Developers are able to engage with Apple engineers through engineering sessions, one-on-one lab appointments, and the Apple Developer Forums, all with the aim of learning how to integrate new OS features into their apps.

Software Updates Expected

At WWDC 2024, many reports state that Apple is anticipated to announce updates to its operating systems, including iOS 18 for iPhones, iPadOS 18 for iPads, macOS 15 for Macs, visionOS 2 for Vision Pro, watchOS 11 for Apple Watch, tvOS 18 for Apple TV, and HomePod software version 18. These updates will first be released as beta versions for developers to test and will become available for public download in the fall.

iOS 18 will include some design changes, perhaps adopting some design cues from visionOS, but it will not receive a total overhaul. The update is expected to feature a more customizable Home Screen, giving iPhone users more options for the look of the iPhone. Apple plans to give customers more control over how their app icons are arranged and the colors of individual icons, according to MacRumours report.

The report also suggests that iOS 18 will be a major update featuring AI-specific tools, UI updates, and RCS support. iPadOS 18 is expected to include most of the new features of iOS 18, but customized for the iPad interface. The name of macOS 15 remains unconfirmed, with possible options including macOS Rincon or Skyline. visionOS 2 will introduce new software features for Vision Pro, while watchOS 11 may bring additional health and fitness features to Apple Watch. macOS and iOS often have many features in common, so while most of the rumors we've heard have focused on iOS 18, many of the same AI features are coming to the Mac.

Potential Hardware Announcements

Regarding hardware, Apple may announce the availability of the Vision Pro outside of the United States. However, it is unlikely that new Macs will be revealed at WWDC24, as the Mac Studio and Mac Pro are not on Apple's current release schedule. There are rumors that the iMac Pro may return in the form of an M3 Pro or M3 Max version, but it is uncertain if this will be announced at WWDC24. WWDC has historically been a venue for Apple to unveil its latest hardware and software advancements. Initially, the event saw the launch of various iPhone models, including the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and iPhone 4S. 2017, Apple also revealed the HomePod at WWDC, marking another significant product introduction.

In recent years, the event has increasingly focused on Mac updates. Notably, WWDC 2017 witnessed the debut of the iMac Pro and updates to the iMac, MacBook, and MacBook Pro. In June 2019, Apple announced the new Mac Pro and the Pro Display XDR at the event, further solidifying WWDC as a stage for major hardware announcements. WWDC 2020 marked a pivotal shift as Apple announced its transition from Intel processors to Apple silicon. This move set the stage for subsequent hardware releases, such as the M2 chip in the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, which were announced at WWDC 2022. These launches underscored Apple's commitment to its silicon technology and its impact on product performance.

Most recently, WWDC 2023 introduced several new products, including the Vision Pro, a 15-inch MacBook Air, and the Mac Studio and Mac Pro models featuring the M2 Ultra chip. These announcements highlight Apple's ongoing innovation in the personal computing and consumer electronics sectors.

Developer Participation

While tickets for the WWDC keynote have already been allocated, developers can still participate in classes, workshops, and sessions to learn about system-wide changes in the upcoming software platforms. Apple encourages developers to update their apps based on the announcements made at WWDC.