Apple is all set to kick off its annual developer conference known as Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2017 today. The event will start at 10:30 PM (IST) on the 5th of June and will also be streamed online on Apple’s developer website and WWDC App for Apple devices. This time, the venue for the conference will be McEnery Convention Center instead of previous Moscone West in San Francisco.
As usual, the brand will announce latest developer preview of the upcoming iOS 11, macOS 10.13, watchOS 4 and tvOS 11. However, this time multiple reports suggest that we might also see some new hardware. The Cupertino-based giant is reported to launch a new Siri smart speaker, which will compete with the likes of Amazon Echo and Google Home along with a long-awaited update for its MackBook series and new iPad tablets. So, in order to give you a better perspective of the developer conference, we compiled all the things which have been doing rounds on the internet. So, without further delay, here is what to expect from WWDC keynote.
Apple 10.5-inch iPad Pro
Apple is rumoured to unveil its next-generation of iPad Pro lineup during the keynote event. The brand is reported to launch a new 10.5-inch iPad Pro, which will boast similar form-factor as seen on the 9.7-inch iPad Pro but would feature a narrower bezels design, as per a claim by Ming-Chi Kuo, a renowned analyst at KGI. Further, Apple will ship around 6 million 10.5-inch iPad Pros this year, which would be targeted at the corporates and commercial sectors. However, there is not much information available about the upcoming iPad Pro, but one can expect stereo speakers, similar to what we have seen in earlier iPad Pro models, coupled with a virtual Home Button. There might be an Apple Pencil 2 as well.
Siri Speaker
Apple is also reported to launch a new Siri-based smart speaker during the event as well. The speaker would be Apple’s answer to Amazon Echo series or Google Home devices. The speaker is reported to come with a higher price tag than the Echo but will boast a premium audio quality. It is also reported that Siri Speaker would come loaded with a ‘touch panel’, however, little is known about this feature at the moment.
New Apple MacBook and MackBook Pro models
The Cupertino-based giant is reported to announce a refreshed version of the MacBook series and the brand might launch a new 15-inch MacBook Pro and 12-inch MacBook models. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the 15-inch MacBook Pro model will come with a whopping 32GB of RAM. He said in a research note that the new MacBook Pro will be “the most significantly redesigned product this year” and will enter production in the early fourth quarter. The model will also feature the same Touch Bar as we have seen in the 2016 version of the MacBook Pro.
Kuo said that the Cupertino-based company will also update 12-inch MacBook models with the latest processor, which will enter into mass production in the early second quarter. The analyst predicts that a 16GB memory option will also be added to the device.
Furthermore, the company will also update the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models with the same Processor and the models will enter the mass production in the early third quarter, though the research note did not reveal any information about the RAM.
iOS 11
The latest update might feature new update, functionalities and with the iOS 11, Apple is also reported to drop support for all the 32-bit apps on the App Store. The old apps and games can only be saved if the developer updates to compatibility or develop the app on the 64-bit architecture. However, if a developer fails to do so, be ready to bid adieu to your favourite games post next update. Further, we might also see a revamped version of the Apple Music and it is possible that the company might upgrade FaceTime with the introduction of group video calling ability.
Everything else
The brand will provide the developer preview to macOS 10.13, watchOS 4 and tvOS 11, however, little is known about updates. But if the rumours mills are believed to be true, then we might see a new name of the macOS version, while the watchOS 4 will be more inclined towards the health. Apple was earlier reported to be working on an activity tracker which also monitors glucose levels. Further, one might also see new faces for the Apple Watch. Lastly, the tvOS will be updated to the latest version, and it would be interesting see, what all feature will it include.