Apple WWDC 2024, set for June 10-14, promises to be ‘A(bsolutely) I(ncredible)’

 

Developers are the primary focus of Apple’s WWDC event for its various operating systems, as indicated by the name “D.”

Several days ago, panels and workshops focusing on the various ecosystems were held at the Steve Jobs Theater on the company’s Cupertino campus. The event also serves as a launching pad for said ecosystems. Anticipate big announcements around iOS and iPadOS 18, macOS 15, and watchOS 11, among others.

Seeing as how this year’s show will mark one year since the Vision Pro was announced, I would anticipate a LOT of new developers around the headset and its vision operating system. Updates to Apple Silicon and, perhaps, new Macs seem pretty likely as well.

But Apple’s AI plans will almost certainly take center stage at the show this time out. WWDC seems like the most likely platform for such an announcement — and, perhaps, details on a rumored Google Gemini partnership for the iPhone.

Joz’s sneaky backronym will no doubt only further speculation.

Additional rumors have pointed to iOS 18 potentially being “the biggest” update in the operating system’s long history. You don’t just lean passively into generative AI and stop there, reports suggest. Instead, you use “AI tools that help manage your daily life.”

Certainly, the notion of the AI smartphone isn’t Apple-specific. Samsung leaned heavily into the concept earlier this year with the launch of its Galaxy S24 line. Which also relied on Google’s Gemini efforts. The following month, Apple claimed that the new M3-powered MacBook Airs are the “World’s Best Consumer Laptop for AI,” mostly due to the neural processing units included in its first-party SoCs.

Apple adds, “Developers and students will have the opportunity to celebrate in person at a special event at Apple Park on opening day.” This is likely a reference to the news-filled keynote that traditionally kicks off the show. Of course, things remain dramatically scaled down since the pre-pandemic days at the San Jose Convention Center.

Fifty “winners” will be invited to the in-person Apple WWDC NUM0 event in Cupertino, as has always been the case. The event follows soon after Google I/O (May 14-15) and Microsoft Build (May 21-24).

The announcement arrived less than a week after the Department of Justice announced. It is suing the hardware giant over claims of monopolistic practices surrounding the iPhone.