What is WWDC and Why Should You Care? | Please Just Work

TLDR: WWDC is Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference. While the show’s focus is mainly on tools for the people who build apps for Apple’s products, it is also where we get a first look at what new features to expect on iOS and Mac devices in September. This year’s WWDC happens June 3rd, 2019.

What happens at a developer’s conference?

Developer conferences are events that major tech companies hold once a year to introduce app developers to the latest features and techniques available to build apps, accessories, and other services for our phones, PCs, tablets, and other devices.

While much of the conference focuses on implementation and coding, most tech companies, including Apple, kick off the event with a keynote presentation announcing new products and services available later this year. It’s our mission to parse through this information and let you know what new features, products, and changes to expect in the coming months and how they may affect you.

What we expect to learn this year and why it matters.

iOS 13

Each year WWDC gives us our first look at Apple’s operating system for iPhones, iPads and certain accessories. This first look can also give us clues into what new features future devices might contain. This is also when we learn which devices if any, reach end-of-life and will no longer receive new software updates and security fixes.

Of particular interest to this site is whether the iPhone 5s will drop off the supported device list after nearly 6 years. It is currently the longest supported Smartphone in history, so we’re rooting for it to get one more year, even if the rumors make that look less and less likely.

Last year’s iOS 12 was mostly a stability and performance update, giving Apple’s engineers an extra year to clean up and improve iOS’s foundations. Because of this, we can expect significant feature additions and possibly a new look and feel to the home screen and other areas. While it’s unclear how different things will look on iPhones, expect iPads to get a multi-tasking makeover, bringing them closer to a valid laptop alternative for more users. We will document these new features once they’re announced.

watchOS 6 and tvOS

While technically just rebranded versions of iOS, Apple Watch and Apple TV will also likely get new features we’ll learn about at WWDC. While many of the Apple TV’s new features have been announced already, we may get more details on Apple’s upcoming streaming service, gaming subscription, and Apple Card. You can read more about what we know here.

MacOS and a New Mac Pro

While macOS doesn’t get nearly as many features as iOS, the 20-plus-year-old operating system often receives much-needed usability improvements each year. We also expect to learn more about Marzipan, Apple’s platform for letting app makers easily create Mac versions of their iOS apps.

While less relevant to most users, Apple is expected to release its long-awaited Mac Pro replacement. In 2017 Apple, in a rare move for the traditionally tight-lipped company, admitted they had designed themselves into a corner regarding the ‘trash can’ Mac Pro originally announced in 2013. Since then, video, 3D, and other professionals requiring massive amounts of computer power have been left out-to-dry, with no other option than to switch to Windows PCs to do work. While professional equipment isn’t a focus for this site, expect an article comparing what we learn about this new power-monster to Apple’s existing machines, and who might most benefit from it.

As with the iPhone, we will learn which Macs, if any, reach end-of-life and will no longer receive updates as of the end of the year. Once we know this, expect a page explaining how to find out if your computer has finally reached its end of life, and whether or not you should replace it.

Perhaps a surprise or two

Apple has known to make a few surprise announcements now and then at their developer keynotes. We will keep an eye out for any surprises and keep you informed.

If you wish to tune in yourself and see what all the fuss is about, download the WWDC app on Apple TV or iOS or visit Apple’s WWDC website.

Originally published at https://pleasejustwork.com.