Apple’s 31st annual Worldwide Developers Conference will be unlike any WWDC before, because it’s the first WWDC event that’s going to be…
Apple’s 31st annual Worldwide Developers Conference will be unlike any WWDC before, because it’s the first WWDC event that’s going to be held in a digital-only capacity. That means it’s free for all developers, but we’re in uncharted territory when it comes to format.
Below, we’ve outlined everything that we’re expecting to see from Apple at the digital keynote event.
Rumors suggest Apple will unveil a new iMac at WWDC, with the machine featuring the first redesign that it has seen since 2012.
Sonny Dickson, a leaker who sometimes shares details on Apple’s plans, says the updated iMac will use “iPad Pro design language” with much thinner bezels that are similar in size to the bezels on the Pro Display XDR.
A mockup of an iMac with thin bezels and an iPad Pro-like designThe iMac is rumored to include a T2 chip for security and controller functions, plus it will feature AMD Navi graphics and all-flash storage, with Apple eliminating the Fusion Drive. Intel in April announced “Comet Lake” chips that could be used in the updated iMac.
iMac size is unclear, but rumors have indicated that at least one model could measure in at 23 inches, bigger than the current 21.5-inch iMac. It’s likely to be the same general size as the 21.5-inch model, but with slimmer bezels. The exact size for the larger iMac is unclear.
Rumors have been a bit mixed when it comes to release dates, with the 23-inch iMac rumors suggesting a launch in the second half of 2020, so it’s not clear if both iMac sizes will be refreshed at the same time. One could come at WWDC and one could come later, or the WWDC timeline could be incorrect and we could be left waiting until later in the year for a new version of the iMac.
For more on what’s rumored for the next-generation iMac, check out our iMac roundup.
There have been rumors about Apple’s work on custom-designed Arm-based chips for years now, and at WWDC 2020, Apple may finally be ready to unveil its efforts and details on its plan to replace Intel chips in Macs.
Apple has at least three Mac processors in development based on the A14 chip set to be included in the upcoming iPhone 12 models. The first Apple-designed Mac chips will feature 12 cores with eight high-performance cores and at least four energy-efficient cores.
Releasing its own custom-designed chips will allow Apple to untether itself from Intel, which will allow for more regular Mac updates as Apple will not have to rely on Intel’s chip release schedule. Arm-based chips will feature faster performance and reduced power consumption, which could bring better battery life.
For more on Apple’s work on custom-built Arm-based chips, check out our Arm-based chip guide.
We don’t typically know too much about new versions of iOS ahead of when they’re released, but in 2020, an early version of iOS 14 leaked in March, giving us some insight into what Apple is working on for the update.
First and foremost, iOS 14 will focus on performance and quality due to the numerous bugs that were found in iOS 13, but there are still quite a few new features in the works.
2020 might be the year that Apple will allow iPhone and iPad users to set third-party mail, browser, and music apps as their defaults instead of Apple’s own apps.
The change would allow apps like Google Chrome and Gmail to be set as the default apps on iOS devices, so tapping on a link or an email address would not necessarily open Apple’s own apps. The change would also allow music apps used with the HomePod to work with Siri, something limited to Apple Music at the current time.
Right now, all the apps are organized in a grid pattern on the iPhone, but Apple could introduce an Apple Watch-like option that allows installed apps to be viewed in a list, which would make it easier to manage apps.
The list will show all of the apps installed on the iPhone, with users able to select viewing filters to see app categories like recently used or apps with unread notifications.
Along with an optional list view, iOS 14 may also offer Home screen widget options, allowing for widgets that can be moved freely around the Home screen much like app icons.
Wallpapers could improve significantly in iOS 14, as Apple could be planning to add support for third-party wallpaper packs in the update. This would let developers create wallpaper options for iPhone and iPad that could be installed through the Wallpaper section of the Settings app.
Apple plans to bring a new fitness app to the iPhone, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. The app will let users download fitness-related videos that will walk them through workouts. Multiple workout types will be available, including indoor running, cycling, rowing, stretching, core training, strength training, outdoor walking, dance, and yoga.
Apple is testing new features for Messages, including a new Slack-like mention system that will let users tag contacts with their name, such as @eric or @dan. In a busy group chat, this will make it possible to mute the overall conversation but receive push notifications when someone uses an @mention with your name.
There could be an all-new augmented reality app in iOS 14, which is designed to let users get more information about the world around them using AR.
