News Analysis: Apple has already said it will talk about the future of its operating systems at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference this June in San Francisco. But what else will it discuss?
Apple
plans to hold its Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco June 6-10.
For now, the company has said little about its plans at the event, but
considering it's a place for developers to learn more about its operating
systems and get help as needed, it would only make sense for software to take
center stage. Beyond that, there is a strong possibility that Apple might talk
about the iPhone 5, the follow-up to its wildly popular iPhone 4.
Of course, trying to gauge exactly what Apple will do is difficult. The
company is notoriously secretive, and for the most part rumors that suggest one
announcement or another rarely come true. When it comes to Apple announcements,
it's a coin toss to see what it will and will not unveil at any given event.
But that shouldn't stop those who follow the technology industry from
discussing what Apple could unveil at WWDC in June. Some topics seem like
guarantees, while others are long shots. In either case, a healthy helping of
news will be coming out of the event.
Read on to find out what Apple could unveil at WWDC.
1. All the details on Mac OS X 10.7 Lion
Mac
OS X 10.7 Lion will be taking center stage at the Worldwide Developers
Conference in June. The platform, which is expected to launch this summer,
was first unveiled last year by Apple CEO
Steve Jobs. At WWDC, the operating system will be put on full display for
developers to inspect. Perhaps most importantly, if Apple holds its annual
keynote, the company can talk about details that consumers would care about.
2. iOS 5
If Mac OS X 10.7 Lion will be on display at WWDC, it's quite possible that
iOS 5 will as well. Currently, rumors suggest Apple might actually unveil iOS 5
in April and then talk more about it at WWDC. In either case, Apple's mobile
platform will be a hot topic on the showroom floor, as well as during any
keynote Apple might hold.
3. The iPhone 5
A new rumor has cropped up from startup blog TechCrunch claiming Apple will
not discuss the iPhone 5 at WWDC. But given its history of unveiling the device
at the show each year, that rumor might not come true. Apple has used its stage
at WWDC to ramp up interest in its smartphone, which typically launches over
the summer. The chances of it not doing so this year in a keynote address seem
awfully slim.
4. Indication of Steve Jobs' health
Speaking of a keynote address, there is a good possibility that Apple CEO
Steve Jobs will be on hand to talk about the future of his company's operation.
His performance on that stage will give both the industry and investors another
opportunity to see how he's holding up. While he is currently on indefinite
medical leave, Jobs did appear at the iPad 2 introduction in March. He might
make another appearance at WWDC if he has something important to say. Jobs won't
necessarily mention his health status, but if he's on stage and looking good,
the market will respond well. On the flip side of that, if he doesn't show up,
rumors will run rampant about his health. Look for some kind of indication of Jobs'
health-good or bad-at WWDC.
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