Apple has announced this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) nice and early this year. The week-long event will kick off on June 6, and we have confirmation that it will once again be a fully virtual event. Either Apple doesn’t think the world is quite ready for in-person events again, or it feels the wider reach of an online event is superior.
WWDC is typically where Apple reveals its upcoming software updates to the world, giving developers a chance to integrate new features before they launch to the public. This year, as usual, we’re expecting previews of iOS 16 plus updates for iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
Though aimed primarily at developers, WWDC has always kicked off with a fairly accessible keynote speech showing off the most notable new features to the public. From time to time, we see hardware reveals at the event too. Like the iPhone reveals in September, the opening video is a good watch even if you’re not a developer.
Like last year, the whole of WWDC will be run online – that means live streams of every talk, plus some other bits Apple hasn’t announced just yet. It also means free access to all developers around the world – no expensive, limited tickets like the old days.
One aspect of the event will be in person this year, though. Apple is opening up Apple Park for one day only to watch the opening keynote and State of the Union videos. This is for developers and students only – no journos, and no public – and tickets will be hard to come by.
Apple has also announced it will be supporting up-and-coming young developers with its third annual Swift Student Challenge, which asks student coders to submit an app project made in Swift Playgrounds. Winners will be announced at WWDC along with the annual Apple Design Awards.
We’re looking forward to seeing what iOS 16 has in store – rest assured we’ll bring you updates on everything you need to know from the event when it kicks off on June 6.