What to expect at WWDC 2017
SINCE WE’VE listed down the WWDC’s highlights through the years, why not give it a go with what’s expected this year as well?
If past years are any indication, the WWDC’s announcements are predictable — most especially on the software side. New versions of everything Apple OS — iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS — are expected.
But this time around, the hype is centred on hardware. And forget about Apple’s resident products; there’s one new thing that’s making the rounds rather loudly.
MacBooks
Apple’s portable computers are usually the hardware stars of the WWDC. It’s rumoured that Tim Cook will reveal a refreshed line-up. The MacBook Pro will possibly have a RAM upgrade all the way up to a ridiculous 32GB (because, apparently, 16GB still isn’t enough for some users), while the 12-inch MacBook is expected to double its own RAM to 16GB. Both are said to make the leap to the seventh-generation Intel Core processors — Kaby Lake — which pledges longer battery life and faster performance.
There’s some credence to that: Engadget reported that Apple delayed shipments of its 15-inch MacBook Pros, bumping up the delivery dates to the day after the WWDC’s keynote.
And for MacBook Air fans, there’s no clear indication of an upgrade (although we hope there will be; so sad if li’l Air is left out).
iPad
If the 12.1-inch iPad Pro is too huge or the garden-variety 9.7 iPad (much more the mini) is too small for you, the long-rumoured 10.5-inch iPad Pro — courtesy of Bloomberg — could be unveiled at the WWDC.
And what’s in it? The heir apparent to the 9.7-inch iPad is said to have slimmer bezels, a faster processor (A10X?) and higher resolution, somewhere in between the iPad and the iPad Pro. That’s about it for the specs, although recent leaks purporting two never-beforeseen iPads suggest that it could either (a) Wi-Fi and cellular versions of the 10.5-incher or (b) the 10.5 iPad and another one. Who knows? Well, well-known Apple tipster Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities says there is a “greater than 70 per cent chance” we’d actually see that new 10.5-inch beast.
And as for the iPad mini, it’s either we don’t see anything about it since Apple recently doubled the mini 4’s storage. The rumour mill also has it that it may be ditched in the near future.
Software
Nothing much is known for macOS, watchOS (4?) and tvOS (11?). Apple, though, wants to go toe-totoe with social networking giants (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat... everyone is basically on Apple’s crosshairs) and the rumour that it’s working on such an app may be brought to life at the WWDC. You know, the juicy stuff: shoot a video, do some nonsense, send and wait for the backlash, er, comments.
Apple’s Jimmy Iovine — also a record and film producer — told Bloomberg that iOS 11 would include a new Music app with a focus on videos. Improved iPad support across all iOS devices is also being speculated to be announced.
As for Siri... jump to the next section.
A Siri speaker?
Yes, Apple’s good ol’ artificial intelligence assistant is getting its morethan-fair share of the spotlight with AI hogging tech headlines recently. And we’ve saved the best for last: word has it that Apple is working on a Siri-powered speaker to tangle directly with Amazon Echo and Google Home.
No design details have emerged concretely, but Bloomberg says audio might be a focus to one-up Echo and Home, so a virtual surround sound system (!) is being talked about. Oh, and there’s even word that it could have ambient noise sensors, which automatically lowers the volume when someone’s talking.
Who says only developers and fans are interested in the WWDC? Apple’s rivals are sure to be glued as well.