Only behind the announcement of the iPhone 13 next fall, WWDC is an important event in Apple’s annual calendar, in which a preview of all the news that will arrive that year in the form of Software, but also of Equipment.
In this article, we put together everything we know about WWDC 2021, from the possible dates it will take place and how to watch the live preview, to products and updates from Software it could be announced that day.
What is WWDC?
WWDC is the acronym for Worldwide Developers Conference or World Developers Conference in Spanish. It’s an event that Apple holds every year for its developer partners, those who create software for Mac, iPhone and other Apple platforms.
WWDC lasts a week, but on the first morning (or afternoon in Europe), Tim Cook and other Apple employees appear on the keynote inaugural to announce major updates to Software of the year.
That means: new features and other changes coming in the next versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV, respectively.
Obviously, this is very important for developers, but Apple device users also see the presentation with great interest, as the new features will be available on existing devices (and on new ones launched that year).
The rest of the week is devoted to workshops and events of networking for developers and developers, although these sections of the event were very different in 2020, since they took place completely virtual.
Dates: When will WWDC 2021 take place?
WWDC 2021 is scheduled to take place June 7-11, 2021.
WWDC is usually held in late spring, early summer, and June is usually the chosen month. In fact, it usually takes place the first week of June, and it was only different in 2020 for obvious reasons.
Here are the start dates of the last 11 WWDCs:
- WWDC 2020: Monday June 22
- WWDC 2019: Monday June 3
- WWDC 2018: Monday June 4
- WWDC 2017: Monday June 5
- WWDC 2016: Monday June 13
- WWDC 2015: Monday June 8
- WWDC 2014: Monday June 2
- WWDC 2013: Monday June 10
- WWDC 2012: Monday June 11
- WWDC 2011: Monday June 6
- WWDC 2010: Monday June 7
Will WWDC 2021 be virtual only?
Given the strong impact the coronavirus pandemic continues to have in the United States, it seems highly likely that WWDC will once again be an exclusive event for the second year in a row. online.
With a new government in the White House, the United States may be able to change things quickly and town hall meetings could take place in June. But President Biden has already warned that it would take months to get there.
Also, keep in mind that Apple’s 2020 presentations seemed, or at least from the outside, a success. The edited videos were much more entertaining and effective than the live events.
Additionally, although local businesses have suffered greatly from the pandemic, Apple has managed to save a lot of money on food, guest accommodation and airline tickets.
Of course, there are also some health and safety reasons that Apple could take into account in making the event entirely virtual.
How to watch WWDC 2021
The keynote The opening day will begin on the first day of the event at 10:00 a.m. (local time). This means that in Europe it will be 7:00 p.m., while in Mexico it will be 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. in Chile; and 2:00 p.m. in Argentina.
It can be followed live from the usual sites: from the Apple home page and the one dedicated to developers, on the TV app for Mac, iPad or iPhone, and on YouTube. It can also be viewed live from a Windows computer.
In the past, Apple has also held events to see the WWDC opening live from select physical Apple stores, although there are indications that it won’t happen this year (it didn’t happen in 2020).
For more information, don’t miss this article: How to display the WWDC opening speech.
What software will Apple be announcing at WWDC 2021?
As for what Apple will announce at WWDC 2021, we can split our predictions between updates to Software which will surely arrive and the products of Equipment it could come.
First, let’s talk about the five big updates to Software.
iOS 15
The new operating system for the iPhone will bring new features, changes in the interface and important security solutions. It will be showcased at WWDC immediately after the developer beta arrives, and weeks later the public beta will follow.
If you have an iPhone 7 or later (see the list of compatible devices), you should be able to install the update for free when it arrives next September. For more information, see our dedicated iOS 15 article.
iPadOS 15
We don’t know much about Apple’s next iPad operating system just yet, but we’ll surely find out all that comes with the new iPadOS when Tim Cook takes the virtual stage next June.
IPadOS is at an interesting point, as it was relatively recently separated from iOS (in 2019). The two platforms have a lot in common, but hopefully that will change with the iPadOS 15 as Apple wants to define different aesthetics and user experiences that go well with small and medium screens.
It must be said that iPadOS 14 has turned out to be much more complicated than its iOS equivalent, and that it continues to be much less user-friendly. A “stabilization” update would not be welcome (because everyone wants something big, “but we are settling.
Until then, you should know how to update iPadOS on your iPad.
macOS 12
We know that Apple has been testing macOS 12 since at least January 11, so everything indicates that the version that will be presented in June will be very elegant and fast.
In terms of functionality, we hope to be able to customize what appears in the Control Center, as well as the arrival of Shortcuts and the Health app on the Mac.
Remember, keep in mind that while macOS 12 is announced alongside the other four updates at WWDC, it won’t be available until much later. In 2020, macOS Big Sur was released to the public on November 12.
watchOS 8
What new features are coming to the Apple Watch this year? Everything indicates that there will be less Internet (that is, it will not be necessary to online for features like Siri) and other health features like the introduction of the Health app.
In terms of supported devices, we think Apple will be good this year. After removing Series 1 and Series 2 from the list in 2020, it will likely be Series 3 that can install watchOS 8.
tvOS 15
Much attention is currently being paid to Apple TV. In fact, a new Apple TV is expected to arrive in WWDC 2021, which could bring changes with tvOS 15. Beyond Equipment, it looks like Apple will continue to focus on the game and home security.
What hardware will Apple announce at WWDC 2021?
The five updates of Software above are virtually safe or as safe as possible with Apple. But as we said before, there could also be news of Equipment, although these are more difficult to predict.
As you can read in our article on the history of the WWDC, some of the most important products of the company were announced or presented at the WWDC, like the iPhone 3G, 3G and 4, various iPads, the HomePod, various models of MacBook Pro and Air, and iMac Pro and Mac Pro.
But other WWDC events, including two of the last three, have had no publication of Equipment. It could go one way or the other.
If Apple decides to give us news of EquipmentExpect the company to focus on business devices, not consumer devices. Maybe now is a good time to present a new iPad Pro, for example, or a new version of the Mac Pro.
WWDC 2020 may not have had one Equipment for the average consumer, but there was some important news regarding Apple Silicon. Given the success of M1-powered Macs at the end of the year, it wouldn’t be surprising if Apple was talking about future Apple processors (perhaps the M1X or M2 in the new iMac).
Finally, will Apple talk about its audio products? It’s a little weird that the AirPods, which are so popular, weren’t getting an update in 2020 (although the very expensive AirPods Max have arrived), and it would be just as rare if no new AirPods arrived. at WWDC 2021.
Keep in mind, however, that most Equipment mentioned is about to be announced. Before coming to WWDC, Apple is expected to host an event in the spring (likely March), and some may be announced at that time.
What services will Apple announce at WWDC 2021?
Finally, Apple could talk about new payment services. Apple is trying to stop selling virtually alone Equipment premium to also sell services (TV +, News +, Apple Music, Apple Arcade) to users of their Equipment.
WWDC 2021 could be used to introduce new services. An analyst suggests that Apple will launch new Plus services in the future, with Podcasts +, Stocks +, Mail +, Maps +, and Health + being as much as possible. These would also be included in Apple One.
While this year’s WWDC is not taking place, we suggest you also read our Apple 2021 forecast. Or, if you can’t wait for new products any longer, take a look at the selection of iPhone, MacBook or Apple deals. Watch.
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