Worldwide Developers Conference 2017

Apple’s next big event is its 2017 Worldwide Developer’s Conference, or WWDC 2017. Taking place on June 5 to June 9 just miles away from Apple’s Cupertino headquarters at the San Jose Convention Center, WWDC 2017 allows developers from all over the world to meet with Apple engineers to discuss, learn, and discover new methods of interconnectivity between Apple software and hardware.

In short, it’s not a big splashy Apple marketing extravaganza. That’s not to say that Apple doesn’t take the opportunity to make some big announcements; in fact, Apple has a history of using its opening day keynote to discuss a path forward for the company while making some revelations and announcements about new releases. Here’s a history of some of the things Apple has announced at previous WWDCs:

• 2016: watchOS3 was announced to replace the universally mixed watchOS2
• 2015: Apple Music launch, along with integration into devices and iTunes
• 2014: Significant Software Development Kit (SDK) upgrades to numerous new features
• 2013: iOS 7 introduced as the new iteration of Apple’s mobile operating system
• 2012: MacBook Pro with retina display announced to the world

Rumors & Speculation

Those examples set the stage for what’s in store for 2017. The general tone is focused on the technical side, mostly to give developers around the world a sense of where they can take their own products and how they can focus on integration and seamless compatibility. So, while that may excite those in the industry, it’s clear that not all of the announcements will be felt on an immediate consumer level.

What should we expect with the 2017 version? Here’s a roundup of news and rumors...

Will There Be New Hardware?

The new Apple Watch Series 3? The new iPhone? Something completely new and unusual?

Chances are, you won’t get such a big reveal at WWDC. WWDC is, after all, a developer’s conference rather than a marketing event, so most attendees are there to learn more about new APIs or new features in an operating system that can be integrated into their own app development.

However, there are a few rumblings about hardware that may appear at WWDC:

iPad Pro: A new iPad Pro is rumored to have a slightly bigger screen -- 10.5 inches rather than 9.7 inches. The scuttlebutt is that this new screen size does not require a new body, and in fact a smaller bezel means that the iPad Pro physically has the same dimensions as the previous body. This does fall in line with all rumors about that other Apple device and how the new iPhone is supposedly edge to edge.

Siri Speaker: The Amazon Echo has landed in the market with mixed results, but it’s still a new technology shift for the connected home in the Internet-of-Things era. A standalone Siri-powered device for smart homes seems to be in the works with rumors of current employee tests. As this is a bit of a new product, it would make sense that it would be announced at WWDC, since it would probably involve a new development interface for connecting devices and apps to Siri’s new home.

So, When’s the News?

All eyes are on the first day of the event (June 5) when Apple makes its big keynote presentation. Based on historical WWDC keynotes, industry rumors, leaks, and other info, here’s what most people are predicting to find at WWDC 2017 before the conference breaks off into smaller and more focused events and discussions.

iOS 11: Several months ago, Apple introduced Clips -- a new app designed to take over social media and compete with the Instagrams and Snapchats of the world. This type of thinking is likely to be at the centerpiece of iOS 11, where Clips-like functionality is more seamlessly integrated into the everyday experience. Other rumors show the growing robustness in different areas of functionality, such as a more advanced Siri (contextual learning, etc.) and group FaceTime capabilities. There’s also a rumor that the user interface may get an overhaul, simply because it’s a little overdue. Don’t expect something totally drastic, but it’s been nearly five years since the last design revision (iOS 7 in 2013) so it seems like something Apple would have been cooking up over the past few years.

macOS 10.13: We don’t know what Apple plans on naming this yet, but it’ll probably carry the name of a California landmark similar to other recent releases. From a functional perspective, Apple is clearly pushing towards cross-device implementation, and the new macOS version will probably be another step towards that, such as possibly supporting HomeKit or allowing for Auto Unlock across multiple devices. Things that have been worked in over the course of the last few updates -- such as gradual Siri integration -- will most likely be given greater emphasis here, particularly given the way the company is pushing the social aspect of its mobile devices with Clips.

watchOS 4: Last year’s watchOS 3 release was a significant step up from the previous iteration, so much so that many people considered it the first “true” form of the Apple Watch. It was intuitive and streamlined and offered a much more intuitive flow, making the first two watchOS designs seem almost like tech demos. So what can we expect with watchOS 4? Probably not a huge overhaul in general interaction since everyone seems pretty satisfied with watchOS 3, but rather an extension of features and functionality. Apple has established that watchOS developers now have to prep for standalone (non-iPhone available) functionality, and that’s certainly something to watch for in any new operating system. Integration of a front-facing camera (rumored for the new Apple Watch), better cross-device sync, and Apple Clips are all a possibility based on both smart prognostication and digging up of Apple patents.

What About Long Shots?

Most of WWDC will focus on the software side of things, though there are those observers hoping that Apple will make a major hardware announcement (the new iPad Pro is heavily rumored, though not necessarily the same game changer as other devices). Here are a few longshots we’d like to see show up.

Apple Watch Series 3: The Series 2 was an unqualified success, expanding the Apple Watch’s functionality while streamlining the interface. A number of rumors abound for the Series 3 (we’re assuming it’ll be called that), the biggest ones include expanded biomedical monitoring, a front-facing camera, and expanded phone-free capabilities. The last is probably the biggest innovation we could see from the Apple Watch. The Series 2’s GPS introduced a bit of standalone functionality, but Apple has shifted its requirements for watchOS app development to include standalone support. We’re not sure if that means that every single app has to function fully and completely as a standalone piece or if it simply needs the technical potential to do that in order to get approved; either way, it’s clear that Apple wants the Apple Watch to be more of its own thing and less an expensive extension of the iPhone.

New iPhone X: The new iPhone (which will probably be called iPhone 8 or iPhone X) is still mired in the rumor mill and development hell, and there are reports that part of it is because the implementation of the fingerprint sensor beneath the screen is becoming an issue. What to expect with the new iPhone? The biggest rumor is a bigger screen, not through expanding the body but by having the screen surface go from edge to edge rather than the standard bezel around it. This moves the aforementioned fingerprint sensor, and ups the focus on other biometrics (facial recognition, etc.). In addition, look for camera improvements that are particularly capable of spatial and depth recognition.

What Will Definitely Not Be There?

At Monowear, we’re clearly focused on the aesthetic side of Apple devices. Our bestselling watch bands offer style to go with the latest cutting-edge technology. However, there’s a 99.9% chance that you won’t see any mention of accessories like Monowear’s at WWDC 2017 (and we certainly haven’t been asked to be there). But if you’re still looking for the latest and greatest in Apple Watch bands and iPhone cases, then check out our ever-growing catalog, including new products such as our perforated leather watch band.