The upcoming 2021 WWDC and all the tricks Apple has up its sleeve
Here's what Apple fans can expect from Apple's second virtual worldwide developer conference…
The upcoming Apple's worldwide developer conference is to be held from June 7th to the 11th and like the 2020 Apple's worldwide developer conference, the 2021 Apple worldwide developers conference will be held virtually. Apple fans worldwide can expect to receive the biggest worldwide developer conference news on the first day which will be delivered as part of the keynote in addition to previews of Apple's next operating systems speculated to be iOS 15, iPad OS 15, Mac OS 12, watch OS 8, and TV OS 15.
There could also be news about the company's upcoming hardware like a follow-up to Apple’s M1 chip and new pro Macs. Apple announced the M series processors designed by the company at WWDC 2020 and has since then made the processor a part of the company's transition away from Intel processors.
The 5-day WWDC 2020 was held amid the global pandemic. Apple has always used the WWDC to show off previews for the next operating systems for the iPhones, Mac, and other Apple devices as well as provide software developers early access to explore the new features of the latest operating systems.
World wide developer conference 2021 announcement Easter eggs
Apple announced the 2021 WWDC with a picture and animation of a Memoji character looking at an opened MacBook. After Apple's November event where Craig Federighi, the senior vice president of software engineering for Apple showed off how the Mac computers carrying the M1 chip can instantly wake up, several memes popped up online. The picture references these memes. A video of the announcement had the Barry White song, playing your game baby in the background, a cheesy gesture.
The tagline for the 2021 WWDC is "glow and behold". The invites and announcements for apple events typically include Easter eggs, and the 2021 WWDC is no exception. Speculations suggest that the Emoji character wearing glasses with a reflection of software elements in the announcement video could be hints for the heavily rumored Apple AR glasses. "Glow" could also be a reference to the headlights on the rumored Apple car. The pictures could just be a nod to the new Mac OS features and its dock.
Hardware announcements have a reputation for being inconsistent at the WWDC. In recent years, Apple shed a major revamp of several key products while teasing for upcoming Mac hardware. However, if Apple plans a new product like AR glasses, the product needs software and developers to make apps for it.
The next version of ios/iPadOS will be featured on WWDC 2021
The 2021 WWDC may most likely feature the next iPhone which is likely to be called the iPhone 13 or maybe iPhone 12s which may not be launched until the fall. The new version of the iPhone's operating system, likely to be called the ios 15 and the iPad OS 15 for the iPad, is expected to be revealed at the WWDC 2021.
The announcement for the iOS 14 in the 2020 WWDC included new customizations for the home screen, as well as picture-in-picture video features, better widgets, the new Siri interface, and the library as well as a new way for users to organize apps. According to speculations, iOS 15 may feature new notification settings based on the current activity of the user, more customizations and interactions for widgets, and new iMessage features that may compete with Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp.
The new iPad OS 15 may add home screen customizations and widgets that will not be relegated to the widget stack with controls that will be most similar to the iPhone.
Last fall, Apple launched new iPads and the new iPad pro with the M1 chip in April. However, the difference between the non-pro and pro models is based almost entirely on hardware differences with very few software differences. More iPad OS features that support pro users may be announced this year.
It is expected that the iPad OS 15 and the iOS 15 will be launched this fall along with the next iPhone which is likely to be the iPhone 13.
MacOS, what will the next one be called?
One of the highlights enjoyed by fans is the name Apple gives to the next version of Mac OS.
The company has for years named Mac OS versions after big cats such as the lion and snow leopard. In 2020, Apple released OS x 10.10 which was nicknamed after notable California landmarks such as the Yosemite and the most recent Big Sur. Perhaps the next Mac OS may be nicknamed after the golden gate, Monterey, or the Hollywood sign, time will tell.
There is not a lot of information available about Apple's next update for its PC operating system. The rumors have not been specified either when it comes to leaks.
The Mac OS 12 may be a smaller update focused on changes under the hood. With the company approaching the one-year Mark of using the M1 chips, it is safe to assume that the current Mac OS will support the cheap as well as Intel-based Mac devices. Fans worldwide are anticipating m1pro devices and it is unclear if Apple will be releasing a new version of the M1 chip at the 2021 WWDC. Some speculation suggests that it may be an x version of the processor. However, most fans are hoping for Apple to announce the release of a new MacBook Pro that exhibits the provision of the m series chip.
Estimated Apple Watch OS 8 new features
Fans worldwide are anticipating software updates for the Apple watch in addition to the updates for the iPhone and computers. Much like the Mac OS details have hardly been leaked about watch OS 8. However, some rumors have been circulating for some years now and have yet to materialize.
Over a year ago, a rumor began to circulate that the Apple watch may include mental health features. For instance, a pulse oximeter is featured on the Apple Watch 6 which could be used along with the heart rate readings to detect panic attacks and high levels of stress.
All the rumors including one that dates back to 2017 hint at the Apple watch featuring a blood sugar monitor. It however remains to be seen if this feature will be revealed at the 2021 WWDC. If this feature is released it will likely require new hardware such as a spectrometer.
Most apple fans worldwide are hoping that the new Apple watch feature will include the removal of the watch’s dependency on the iPhone. In 2011 the iPhone was made completely independent from the Mac with iOS 5. The requirements in terms of hardware and software remain unclear, however, if the company can pull this off, the Apple watch market will be open to users without iOS devices.
How to stream the WWDC21
For Apple fans worldwide that want to stream the WWDC 2021, the benefit of a virtual conference is that users from around the world can stream the event from the comfort of their homes. Typically, Apple hosts a live stream of the Monday keynote on its website. Apple's YouTube channel may likely have a live feed of the event. Apple usually streams in sessions throughout the week free for all developers.
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