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WWDC 2020 (or Worldwide Developers Conference 2020 to give it its full name), Apple’s mid-year software-focused show, will indeed be held this year – and it will start on June 22.
It’s here that we’re likely to get our first official look at iOS 14, alongside various other software updates, like iPadOS 14, macOS 10.16 and watchOS 7.
It’s entirely possible that we’ll see new hardware, though given the iPhone SE 2020, new iPad Pro, and even the new MacBook Pro have already been revealed, we’d bet Apple won’t have many surprises for us at WWDC 2020.
So there’s a lot to look forward to, and while there was some question over whether the show would go ahead, given the current Covid-19 pandemic, Apple has now confirmed that it will – but it’s going to be online.
Below you’ll find all the information on when it’s likely to be held along with what Apple might show off and announce.
When is WWDC 2020 and will it go ahead?
Apple has officially confirmed that WWDC 2020 will start on June 22. That’s no big surprise, since WWDC always kicks off in June, but it’s a bit late compared to previous years, which happened in the first or second weeks of the month. It could be later this year due to extra planning to adapt the event to its new online-only format, but we aren’t sure.
The show will likely to run through to the Friday, but Apple’s keynote – which is where the major announcements typically happen – will probably be on the first day.
There was some doubt whether the event would be held at all, as the coronavirus has already caused numerous events – including MWC 2020 and Google IO – to be canceled, so the same could have happened with Apple’s annual developer gathering.
Instead of cancelling, Apple moved the event online. This seems like a smart move, and for most people – who would only be tuning in to the online live stream anyway – it should make little difference.
The event will be free for developers, who previously had to pay $1,599 (around £1,284 / AU$2477) per ticket. They’ll be able to access the event through the Apple Developer Program app – developers who want to tune in can start there or use the program’s website. Apple will release info and the event schedule through those channels (and email) in June, according to a blog post.
What to expect at WWDC 2020
As WWDC is focused on software, the most likely announcements are all software related, but there’s a significant amount of hardware that could make an appearance too. The following things are all possibilities.
iOS 14 and iPadOS 14
While we’re not certain that all the things below will make an appearance at WWDC 2020, iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 seem like safe bets, since Apple has a long history of announcing new mobile software at the event.
That said, this isn’t when the finished versions of the software will land on phones and tablets. Rather, Apple will likely announce many of the key features and changes, and release an early developer build.
This, while aimed at developers, will likely be accessible to users willing to jump through a few hoops, though a public beta will probably follow soon after anyway, with the finished software likely launching in late September alongside the iPhone 12.
watchOS 7
We’re also very likely to get our first official look at watchOS 7 during WWDC 2020, though as with iOS 14 it probably won’t be finished and launched before late September, where it might land alongside the Apple Watch 6.
We haven’t heard any rumors about watchOS 7 yet, but likely will do in the coming weeks.
macOS 10.16
It’s not just mobile software that we’ll likely get a look at during WWDC, the next version of macOS is also likely to be unveiled. We don’t know anything about macOS 10.16 yet, but going by previous releases it – like the other software on show – will probably get revealed at WWDC 2020 but not fully launch until at least September.
Apple has long been rumored to be working on a Tile rival, possibly called AirTag, which would be a small device that you can put in a wallet or a rucksack (or attach to other belongings) and then track them if they go missing.
We’ve heard that this might land in the first half of the year, so WWDC is a possibility. That said, it hasn’t specifically been linked to WWDC, so we’re not at all sure that we’ll see it there.
HomePod 2
Apple is likely working on a new HomePod, with some reports suggesting that it could be a more compact one, possibly launching as the HomePod Mini.
But whether the HomePod Mini or HomePod 2, there’s a good chance a new model will land in 2020, and WWDC 2020 is a likely venue for the announcement, especially as the original HomePod was announced at a WWDC (though it didn’t hit stores until a long time later).
Apple TV and tvOS 14
Mention of a new Apple TV 4K model was recently found in tvOS software, so a new Apple TV could be on the way, and it’s possible it will land at WWDC.
Whether or not new hardware does though, there’s also a high chance that new software will, in the form of tvOS 14, especially given that tvOS 13 was shown off at WWDC 2019, followed by a launch in September.
New Mac hardware
We’ve mentioned that new Mac software is likely to be announced at WWDC. Well, new Mac hardware is as well. At WWDC 2019 we got the Mac Pro. At WWDC 2020 we could potentially see a new MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or refreshed versions of any of Apple’s other desktop or laptop hardware.
In fact, one big rumor suggests a new Apple iMac with an AMD Navi GPU is set to debut at the show.
Perhaps the biggest rumor of all is a source saying Apple may use WWDC to announce its plans to ditch Intel processors for its future Macs. That’d be a big step for Apple, and this information comes from people directly familiar with the matter.
That’s unlikely to impact any products introduced in 2020, but it’s be a major change for next year’s Mac range.
- Later in the year we’re expecting the iPhone 12
