WWDC 2021: What to Expect - Apple's Developer Conference

Apple's WWDC 2021: Anticipating the Announcements

Last year, Apple delivered a remarkably polished, entirely virtual WWDC. Unlike Microsoft and Google’s approaches favoring live or hybrid events, Apple showcased its executives through expertly crafted drone footage and seamless transitions.

The WWDC keynote is consistently a major event for announcements, and this year promises to be no exception. It’s quite possible that we will witness an even greater volume of news than usual.

Alongside the standard developer updates for iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS, and tvOS, new hardware unveilings are also a strong possibility.

We will be providing live coverage of all the news as it breaks, and this year includes a return to liveblogging. Multiple avenues will be available to follow the event in real-time.

The event is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET on Monday, June 7.

You can access the YouTube livestream directly through this link:

iOS 15: The Core of the Updates

iOS consistently takes center stage, primarily due to the sheer volume of iPhones sold by Apple. Last year’s introduction of 5G devices provided a significant boost to a somewhat stagnant mobile market.

Currently, iOS 15 doesn’t appear to be as transformative an update as the latest Android version. However, substantial developments could still be revealed before Monday’s presentation.

Initial reports suggest that updates to the notification system will be a key focus. The new mobile operating system is expected to offer customizable notifications based on user status – such as sleeping, working, or driving.

Furthermore, the operating system is anticipated to incorporate a comprehensive range of new accessibility features.

iPadOS 15: A Step Towards Differentiation

A long-awaited update to iPadOS 15 is also anticipated. The current software was identified as a limitation in our recent iPad Pro review, and Apple appears to be addressing this by taking steps to distinguish the tablet operating system from its mobile counterpart.

The existing version largely functions as a scaled-up iteration of iOS for tablets.

Reports indicate that the home screen will receive significant updates, including the addition of widgets. Apple is likely to emphasize maximizing the utilization of the tablet’s larger screen.

The iPadOS will also likely receive updates from iOS, including the new notification system and enhancements to iMessage.

macOS 12: Incremental Improvements and Potential Hardware

Following the substantial overhaul of Big Sur, macOS 12 is expected to deliver more incremental updates. However, hardware announcements may steal the show.

Rumors point to an update to Apple’s incredibly fast M1 chip. The M1X (as it’s currently referred to) could be unveiled alongside new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros, creating a clearer distinction between Apple’s laptop offerings.

Beyond the Core: watchOS and Home Integration

watchOS is also expected to receive a significant update, although specific details remain scarce. New health features are a likely inclusion, particularly given Apple’s competition with Google/Fitbit and Samsung.

homeOS represents the most intriguing mystery. Job postings have alluded to this operating system, though some listings were later corrected to “HomePod.”

This has led to speculation about a more comprehensive home operating system designed to integrate with existing and future Apple home products, potentially with closer ties to tvOS. A new Apple TV device has been a persistent rumor, but concrete confirmation remains elusive.

Additional Rumors and Possibilities

Other rumors suggest a new Mac Mini, although a refresh occurred late last year. Speculation surrounding Beats Studio Buds is also gaining traction, fueled by sightings of LeBron James wearing the unreleased hardware.

However, Apple typically allows the Beats team to manage its own announcements, reserving these events for its own branded audio products like AirPods.