After months of rumors and anticipation, WWDC 15 is finally here. Apple's developer conference is set to kick off with a keynote on Monday, June 8 at 10 AM PT/ 1PM ET.
Here's what to expect...
iOS 9
iOS 9, codenamed Monarch, is believed to focus primarily on 'quality' -- with lots of stability, performance and security enhancements, and of course, bug fixes. Like always, Apple is also planning to introduce some new features with iOS 9.
Apple will reportedly update the typeface of iOS, bringing the Apple Watch font, San Francisco, to the iPhone and iPad. The font will scale more dynamically, which lets it maintain clarity and legibility -- regardless of the size. While there won't be major user interface changes, Apple is planning some small UI tweaks. For instance, Siri will now match the Apple Watch's more colorful interface.
The Apple Maps application is also set to receive some changes. Transit directions will finally come to the Maps application allowing users to find a route to their destination via bus, subway, train and more. Unfortunately, Transit directions will reportedly launch in just six cities.
With iOS 9, the iPad could finally get split-screen multitasking. For instance, you could work on an Word document in one window, while simultaneously reading an email in another. Apple has also been working on having two of the same apps open at one time (such as two Safari tabs).
For those into home automation, a new Home application has reportedly been developed, enabling users to control HomeKit accessories in one single location.
iOS 9 is said to bring some behind the scenes improvements that will help improve the iOS experience. First, Apple has several security enhancements lined up, including Rootless -- a new security measure that will be a heavy blow to the jailbreak community on iOS. Additionally, Apple is reworking iCloud syncing with faster, better end-to-end encryption and a new 'Trusted WiFi' feature that would encrypt traffic when connecting to certain routers.
Apple's programming language, Swift, will also see some improvements. Apple will reportedly include Swift libraries within iOS, saving approximately 8MB from each Swift-developed app.
The final tidbit surrounding iOS 9 involves Apple's rumored Google Now competitor -- Proactive. Proactive is rumored to utilize Siri, Contacts, Calendar, Passbook, and third-party apps to provide relevant information based on device usage. Apple plans to create a more robust iOS experience by creating another 'layer' in iOS. You can learn more about what Proactive is here. Proactive will slowly be integrated into iOS, but it remains unknown just how much of it we will see in iOS 9.
There are several smaller leaked iOS 9 features that have surfaced, including Apple Pay support for Canada, iMessage improvements (Read receipts for group chats and on a contact-by-contact basis), and a new shift key.
iOS 9 will be available for legacy devices as well, including older A5 devices (iPhone 4s, iPad 2). Apple is working to tailor iOS 9 for older devices, so users should not see a slow down when upgrading. A beta of iOS 9 will likely be available tomorrow for developers, with a fall release for the public.
OS X 10.11
OS X 10.11, code named Gala, is also rumored to focus on quality -- that includes improvements to performance, stability, and security. Like iOS 9, OS X 10.11 won't feature major design changes, but will likely feature small UI tweaks that build on OS X Yosemite's design.
OS X 10.11 is also expected to get the new San Francisco typeface, matching iOS 9 and the Apple Watch. Apple is planning some new features for OS X 10.11, but much of those have not leaked. Apple has been testing Control Center for Mac, which would serve as a new menu that allows for quick access to brightness, volume and control, and more. Like iOS 9, Apple is also planning to bring Rootless, improved iCloud syncing enhancements, and Trusted WiFi to OS X 10.11.
OS X 10.11 will be named after a place in California and developers will likely be able to download a beta of it after tomorrow's keynote. It will likely be released sometime in the fall.
Apple Music
Music has always been a big part of Apple and the company is set to redefine the way they offer music. Apple will finally unveil its long rumored and awaited Apple Music streaming service. The service will primarily be based on the Beats Music app, which Apple acquired last year.
At a reported $10/month price point, Apple Music will help integrate people's music library with cloud music streaming. The service will not offer a free, ad-sponsored tier, but will give users a free three month trial.
Apple is also looking to revamp its iTunes Radio service and offer unlimited skips and human-curation by big time DJs and artists including Drake, David Guetta, and more. After shutting down its failed music social network, Ping, Apple looks to rebound by offering deeper social integration as part of Apple Music. Reports point to a YouTube-like platform that allows for artists and fans to engage dubbed Apple Connect.
Apple Music's launch, which is rumored to be sometime in late June, will likely coincide with iOS 8.4 and iTunes 12.2.
Other Announcements
Unfortunately, we're not expecting new hardware -- including the much anticipated Apple TV or the iPad Pro. Apple has all but confirmed a native SDK for the Apple Watch, which will be demoed at WWDC as well.
We'll be providing live coverage of the event tomorrow, so please follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates.
Here's what to expect...
iOS 9
iOS 9, codenamed Monarch, is believed to focus primarily on 'quality' -- with lots of stability, performance and security enhancements, and of course, bug fixes. Like always, Apple is also planning to introduce some new features with iOS 9.
Apple will reportedly update the typeface of iOS, bringing the Apple Watch font, San Francisco, to the iPhone and iPad. The font will scale more dynamically, which lets it maintain clarity and legibility -- regardless of the size. While there won't be major user interface changes, Apple is planning some small UI tweaks. For instance, Siri will now match the Apple Watch's more colorful interface.
The Apple Maps application is also set to receive some changes. Transit directions will finally come to the Maps application allowing users to find a route to their destination via bus, subway, train and more. Unfortunately, Transit directions will reportedly launch in just six cities.
With iOS 9, the iPad could finally get split-screen multitasking. For instance, you could work on an Word document in one window, while simultaneously reading an email in another. Apple has also been working on having two of the same apps open at one time (such as two Safari tabs).
For those into home automation, a new Home application has reportedly been developed, enabling users to control HomeKit accessories in one single location.
iOS 9 is said to bring some behind the scenes improvements that will help improve the iOS experience. First, Apple has several security enhancements lined up, including Rootless -- a new security measure that will be a heavy blow to the jailbreak community on iOS. Additionally, Apple is reworking iCloud syncing with faster, better end-to-end encryption and a new 'Trusted WiFi' feature that would encrypt traffic when connecting to certain routers.
Apple's programming language, Swift, will also see some improvements. Apple will reportedly include Swift libraries within iOS, saving approximately 8MB from each Swift-developed app.
The final tidbit surrounding iOS 9 involves Apple's rumored Google Now competitor -- Proactive. Proactive is rumored to utilize Siri, Contacts, Calendar, Passbook, and third-party apps to provide relevant information based on device usage. Apple plans to create a more robust iOS experience by creating another 'layer' in iOS. You can learn more about what Proactive is here. Proactive will slowly be integrated into iOS, but it remains unknown just how much of it we will see in iOS 9.
There are several smaller leaked iOS 9 features that have surfaced, including Apple Pay support for Canada, iMessage improvements (Read receipts for group chats and on a contact-by-contact basis), and a new shift key.
iOS 9 will be available for legacy devices as well, including older A5 devices (iPhone 4s, iPad 2). Apple is working to tailor iOS 9 for older devices, so users should not see a slow down when upgrading. A beta of iOS 9 will likely be available tomorrow for developers, with a fall release for the public.
OS X 10.11
OS X 10.11, code named Gala, is also rumored to focus on quality -- that includes improvements to performance, stability, and security. Like iOS 9, OS X 10.11 won't feature major design changes, but will likely feature small UI tweaks that build on OS X Yosemite's design.
OS X 10.11 is also expected to get the new San Francisco typeface, matching iOS 9 and the Apple Watch. Apple is planning some new features for OS X 10.11, but much of those have not leaked. Apple has been testing Control Center for Mac, which would serve as a new menu that allows for quick access to brightness, volume and control, and more. Like iOS 9, Apple is also planning to bring Rootless, improved iCloud syncing enhancements, and Trusted WiFi to OS X 10.11.
OS X 10.11 will be named after a place in California and developers will likely be able to download a beta of it after tomorrow's keynote. It will likely be released sometime in the fall.
Apple Music
Music has always been a big part of Apple and the company is set to redefine the way they offer music. Apple will finally unveil its long rumored and awaited Apple Music streaming service. The service will primarily be based on the Beats Music app, which Apple acquired last year.
At a reported $10/month price point, Apple Music will help integrate people's music library with cloud music streaming. The service will not offer a free, ad-sponsored tier, but will give users a free three month trial.
Apple is also looking to revamp its iTunes Radio service and offer unlimited skips and human-curation by big time DJs and artists including Drake, David Guetta, and more. After shutting down its failed music social network, Ping, Apple looks to rebound by offering deeper social integration as part of Apple Music. Reports point to a YouTube-like platform that allows for artists and fans to engage dubbed Apple Connect.
Apple Music's launch, which is rumored to be sometime in late June, will likely coincide with iOS 8.4 and iTunes 12.2.
Other Announcements
Unfortunately, we're not expecting new hardware -- including the much anticipated Apple TV or the iPad Pro. Apple has all but confirmed a native SDK for the Apple Watch, which will be demoed at WWDC as well.
We'll be providing live coverage of the event tomorrow, so please follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates.