What to expect from Apple's WWDC17
Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference 2017 (WWDC17) kicks off today at the McEnery Convention Centre in San Jose, California. The company is expected to make some major announcements with Apple CEO Tim Cook's big keynote address scheduled to be held at 1 PM ET (10.30 PM IST). We take you up to speed on what to expect from WWDC17.
A brief history of Apple's WWDC
First started in 1983, Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference became a major launchpad event for the company since 2002. While its focus has mainly been on new software and software updates, the conference did see products like the Mac Pro, iPhone and others being occasionally unveiled.
Expect a new iPad Pro and Macbook spec bumps
While previous WWDCs did not feature much hardware, early reports and rumours suggest that WWDC17 is all set to break that trend. Apple is expected to unveil a new 10.5 inch iPad Pro - the first major redesign of the iPad since 2013. It is also expected to bump up Macbook Pro and Air specs to fit in Intel's new Kaby Lake processors.
Apple gearing up to enter the smart home market
A new Siri Speaker is also on the cards as Apple looks to compete with Amazon Echo and Google Home. Apple had already been eyeing the connected home niche with earlier releases of its HomeKit and iOS 10 Home app. The speaker is expected to have an upgraded Siri and a focus on sound quality, along with other standard smart home assistance features.
What we know about the new iOS 11
It is expected that the new iOS 11 will be the centrepiece of Tim Cook's keynote. While not much is known about what the new OS update might contain, early reports suggest that the update will involve tweaks and improvements to Siri, as well as features like multi-user log in, expanded support for the Apple Pen, and a revamped version of the Music app.
macOS/watchOS/tvOS updates can be expected
Again, while details remain unavailable, Apple's macOS, watchOS, and tvOS are expected to get updates. With the Apple Watch being a rare performer in the struggling wearables industry, major updates to the watchOS can be expected as Apple looks to impress customers ahead of its new Apple Watch launch later in the year.
