Apple will hold its opening keynote for WWDC 2020, its annual review of the Worldwide Developers Conference, today. The company expects to discuss iOS 14 for the iPhone and iPad, as well as new WatchOS and MacOS software to power its Apple Watch, Macbook, iMac, and Mac Pros, too.
But the biggest change cannot be in the look of the Apple Mac or a new feature on the iPhone. Apple is expected to announce that the fries powering its Mac computers will change, moving from fries made by Intel to new basic ARMS similar to those built for the iPhone instead.
On June 22 at 7 p.m. GMT+1, Tim Cook and his teams will open the doors to an online WWDC, which should nonetheless be loaded with small and large announcements. Between leaks and rumors, here’s what we think we can expect …
For its 31st developer conference, Apple is going paperless. Covid-19 obliges, should be particularly rich in announcements. If we trust the indiscretions and rumors that have occupied the Net for some time now, Apple would prepare lots of surprises.
From Intel to ARM, New Transition
However, beyond the seasonal updates, Apple should open a gigantic construction site this year, if the latest revelations from Bloomberg prove: the transition from its Mac to ARM chips instead of Intel processors.
Fifteen years after the Santa Clara founder’s chips were adopted, this flip-flop will have to be accompanied by a small software revolution before we even know its impact on Macs and their form factor. We also hope to (re) discover the AirPower which could finally be marketed three years after its announcement.
Blogger Jon Prosser has revived rumors about the wireless charging station by posting photos of a device presented as a working prototype on Twitter.
Apple is also expected to make a major announcement regarding the transition from Intel processors to new house chips similar to those it designs for the iPhone. A strategic turning point that could allow Apple to design thinner laptops, with better autonomy and potentially quieter cooling.
This transition is likely to take a year or more, and new computers with “Apple Inside” chips are unlikely to arrive any time soon.
In addition, without necessarily discovering the new Macs, we could perhaps already know which ranges will be the first to be affected by this big change. Unless Apple surprises us and takes another route between iPad and Mac, as we know it today.
How to Watch Apple from WWDC Keynote Livestream
CNET will host an Apple chat Livestream event as it happens, and we’re going to have a live blog with up-to-the-minute analysis at the event.
Apple will host a video stream of the event on its Apple Events page. If you’re an Apple TV owner, you can also watch the Livestream through the Apple Events app – there’s also the archive of the oldest events if you’re feeling nostalgic.
An iMac… Finally Redesigned
If we should not see a Mac ARM unveiled at the opening conference of this somewhat special WWDC, recurring rumors indicate that Apple could nevertheless introduce a new iMac. Not only updated in terms of its components but also, and we ended up no longer believing it, its design.
In this case, the Apple all-in-one could say goodbye to the large borders of its screen and adopt a more straight rear. Nothing has changed on this front for about eight years, and, ARM or not, it would be good news to see a redesigned iMac arrive.
A new HomePod and AirTags
In addition, probably less likely, some rumors suggest that Apple could take advantage of its WWDC to introduce AirTags. Expected for a few months already, they would allow to easily locate objects to which they would be attached.
Think of it as a Locate my iPhone but for all everyday objects, from your bunch of keys to your backpack through your glasses case, for example. These AirTags could also have their place alongside new iPhones, which would mean that we will not see them until next September or October.
Apple may also introduce another long-awaited product, the HomePod mini. A less expensive and more compact version of Apple’s connected speaker, launched in June 2018 and which has not had a hardware update since. It could be a pleasant surprise to spend the summer, especially if Siri has made good progress in being more relevant and precise. The recent switch from HomePod from iOS to tvOS is certainly encouraging in this regard.
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What to Expect from WWDC 2020
Almost certainly, we are going to get updates for iOS, macOS, and WatchOS. TVOS for Apple TV can also get an update. No rumors of a possible iMac update, in addition to Apple’s announcement of plans to change the chips inside its computers.
iOS and iPadOS 14
After WWDC Let’s talk about the software now. iOS, which could become iPhoneOS again, and its evolution for iPad, introduced last year, iPadOS, will pass this year in their fourteenth iteration.
Hopefully, Apple’s engineers will continue to develop specific features for iPadOS to enhance its ergonomics and ease of use in the “PC” mode.
Anyway, right now here’s a tour of the new features discovered in an alpha version of iOS 14 dating from the end of 2019. Be careful, it is possible that Apple has changed some things since or decided not to integrate all the functions after reflection.
The home page of iOS and iPad could change significantly and offer a list view, which would allow you to quickly browse the applications installed on the device. This option, already offered on the Apple Watch, could allow people to quickly find their applications alphabetically or by category.
Third-party applications could replace the programs installed by default by Apple. This could be the case for Mail, Safari, or the Music app. By ending some of its practices deemed anti-competitive, Apple would respond to many criticisms.
A new Podcast application could appear with iOS 14. Derived from Apple Music, it would offer a For You tab, responsible for making you discover content adapted to your tastes.
Apple could also introduce a Fitness app. Like many apps already available, the Apple program would notably offer users the possibility of downloading training videos with a coach suitable for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and even Apple Watch. Everything would be logically synchronized with Apple’s Activity app.
Apple would also like to enhance the usefulness of its Pencil, by making it possible for a user to write by hand in any input field. His writing would then be transformed into classic text before sharing or sending.
Finally, no device would be abandoned with iOS 14. According to many rumors, devices compatible with iOS 13 (from iPhone 6s + iPod touch 7th generation) and iPad 13 (all iPad Pro + iPad 5, 6 and 7 + iPad mini 5) will be eligible for this new update … always free, of course.
macOS 10.16
In addition to a major overhaul and adaptation to ARM chips, if the transition to these new chips is formalized, macOS will obviously experience a series of additions and improvements. Catalyst applications (iPad applications suitable for Macs) would benefit from this anyway. macOS 10.16 could also see its performance improved and some bugs fixed.
Besides, it seems that Apple is working on a Catalyst version of Messages for macOS. As such, the messaging application could benefit from the same new features as that integrated into iOS 14.
As for the name of Catalina’s successor, nothing has leaked yet. Will Apple choose a new Californian landscape or will it opt ​​for simplification of its nomenclature, by being satisfied with a number?
tvOS 14
If the Apple TV has not been updated for some time (some rumors mention the presence of a new generation on Monday), its operating system could be enriched with some practical functions to facilitate the experience of navigation.
The rise of the Apple TV + service could have repercussions on the tvOS interface and possible new functions, such as a child mode with active parental controls on all streaming services could appear.
Apple would finally open the HomePod a bit! The Cupertino giant could allow developers of competing streaming services like Spotify or Deezer to operate on the compound. The company finally decided to unlock it.
watchOS 7
Since last year, the Apple Watch has had a screen that is always on. Those who use it daily have certainly encountered a few small moments of frustration. We can hope that the next edition of watchOS will allow for example to customize the always-on display.
We also hope for a sleep tracking function, which could be interesting and more precise than going through the iPhone.
Finally, we hope that third-party complications will gain more momentum with this new version of watchOS. A children’s mode, which would allow parents to ensure that their offspring are not distracted at school, would also be on the program.
Services
Last year was rich in new services at Apple, between Arcade and TV +. This year, Apple could speed things up and make these services even more attractive. How? ‘Or’ What? By creating one or more group offers. In any case, this is what some pieces of code found in iOS beta suggest. It would be a good way for users to save money and for Apple to increase its subscribers and therefore its revenues.
A WWDC to the tunes of Nintendo Direct?
To follow WWDC, meet Monday at 7 p.m. The conference will be broadcast on the Apple website, the Apple TV app, YouTube, and many Chinese streaming services. Pandemic forces, no journalist or developer will be present on site which could push Apple to review the keynote format it made popular.
There are no phrases in Apple’s releases that speak of a “live” event, suggesting that the conference has already been recorded.