What could be presented at the Apple event in addition to iOS 15
Apple’s WWDC 2021 is just around the corner. On June 7th, the conference starts exclusively online with the keynote, at which, in addition to iOS 15 and macOS 12, new hardware could possibly also be announced. We summarize what can be expected.
On Monday, June 7th, 2021 at 7 p.m. Central European Summer Time, Apple’s WWDC 2021 starts with the keynote. In it, Apple CEO Tim Cook and his management team around Craig Federighi, Eddy Cue and others will announce the most important innovations relating to iOS and iPadOS 15, macOS 12 and watchOS 8. Aside from the expected major OS updates, Apple probably has more up its sleeve – it is rumored that the manufacturer could show new hardware.
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WWDC 2021 keynote on June 7th
WWDC 2021 will take place from June 7th to 11th under the motto “And away we code” and, in addition to the keynote, will also offer over 200 sessions and workshops in which developers can find out about new developments in detail and train themselves. Four hours after the keynote, Apple is hosting a “Platforms State of the Union” event designed to give developers “a deeper look at new tools, technologies, and advances across all Apple platforms. In addition, there are so-called “Lab Appointments” – virtual meetings with Apple engineers – for developers, and for developers themselves must apply in advance.
As in the previous year, Apple has made communication easier a WWDC forum set up. Developers and Apple engineers can exchange ideas here. New at WWDC 2021 are the pavilions, which are intended to provide an easy way for developers to “deepen relevant sessions, labs and special activities for a specific topic,” according to the company. You can also plan your WWDC program and view content on various topics such as SwiftUI, developer tools, accessibility & inclusion and more in the Apple developer app.
As early as June 1st, Apple will be drawing the winners of the Swift Student Challenge out. The winners of the design award will be announced on June 10th.
iOS 15 and iPadOS 15: The focus is on the iPad
Apple’s iPads will receive a major update in the fall with iPadOS 15. (Mockup: 9to5Mac)
There is no question that Apple will announce its major OS updates for iPhones and iPads during WWDC. Since the developers in the past year primarily devoted more attention to the iPhones with a new home screen and widgets, the iPads should be the turn of this year. The well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman also claims to have found out.
According to Gurman’s information, after the iPhones, iPads with iPadOS now also have a new home screen. According to the reporter, this is “the most significant update for the device’s home screen since the product was launched in 2010”. With iPadOS, the screen should on the one hand have a similar range of functions as the screen of the iPhone. On the other hand, it will be possible to replace entire app grids with widgets. In view of the new high-performance iPad Pros, Apple could move a bit closer to macOS with its iPadOS in terms of functionality. Apple again denied a merger of the two platforms in April.
In addition, the OS versions should receive new notifications and a drilled-out iMessage. In addition, new privacy options are planned again. Further is it[called, iOS 15 get an improved dark mode, a food tracking function and slight optimizations of the user interface.
macOS 12: Probably a minor update
After the big update with Big Sur in 2020, Apple’s Macs could get a minor OS update this year. (Image: Apple)
With macOS 12 it could look similar to iOS 14: The desktop OS only received a massive update last year with macOS 11 Big Sur and was made fit for the new generation of computers with ARM chips. The coming macOS generation could let Apple’s platforms grow together even further, so that iOS and iPad apps run even better on the desktop.
Concrete details have not yet been leaked.
What will watchOS 8 and tvOS 15 bring?
The situation is similar with the other updates to the smartwatch and set-top box operating systems. It can be assumed, however, that Apple will deliver additional health functions with watchOS 8 and possibly add new sports. With watchOS 7, for example, a sleep tracking function and the automatic detection of different dance styles have moved in. Another conceivable feature is the addition of new watch faces.
It is quite possible that Apple will not announce all new functions for WWDC 2021 because the current watch models lack the corresponding sensors. Allegedly, the Apple Watch Series 7 (or 8) should be able to measure blood sugar and pressure.
More on the subject:
With Apple tvOS it is even less clear what the upcoming version will bring than with watchOS. The only conceivable function would be the support of 120 Hertz of the new Apple TV – this feature was reported from a fairly reliable source before the box was presented in April.
Hardware at WWDC 2021: New chip and Macbook Pros
Apple’s Macbook Pro with M1 could get stronger siblings for WWDC 2021. (Photo: Apple)
It is not the rule for Apple to present new hardware at its developer conference, but it does happen – especially when the computers are developer-related. For example, Apple announced its first iMacs with VR support at WWDC 2017. The manufacturer had also presented its now discontinued Homepod and the Mac Pro in the course of WWDC, although they came onto the market later.
At WWDC 2021, Apple could unveil its new generation of the MacBook Pro, which should not only receive a visual revision, but also numerous improvements that developers should welcome. According to reports, the new MacBook Pro ports such as HDMI and an SD card reader will be restored and the touch bar will be deleted. This would make Apple a massive reversal of the strategy the manufacturer began with the 2016 MacBook Pro. At that time it was said, among other things, that Apple had shown with the product that it had no idea of ​​the requirements of the target group.
Apart from the possibly recurring connections, Apple will probably also set new standards in terms of performance. It is said that the new generation of chips in the new Macbooks should “far surpass the performance and capabilities of the current M1 chips”.
As with every WWDC, we will report promptly on the keynote, the new announcements for iOS, macOS and more. In addition, we are again offering a live ticker, with which you can stay up to date on the go without having to follow the live stream.
