What We Will Hear From Apple at WWDC

By Don Reisinger

Apple has already said that it will talk about the “future” of iOS, so it’s no stretch to say that the company will showcase the new and improved iOS 9 at WWDC. Expect some enhancements to the software’s design and for the OS to be available immediately to developers so they can get their apps ready for the platform. Look for iOS 9 to launch in the fall just prior to the next iteration of the iPhone.

Apple will also want to attract software developers to wearables, since the application marketplace for its Apple Watch will be somewhat sparse for the first few months. Expect Apple to talk up its Apple Watch success and how much money developers have already generated from its wearables platform.

Apple has made clear that it believes researchers could benefit greatly from its Apple Watch. So far, the company has partnered with researchers to help with diabetes and other issues and is expected to announce at WWDC that its API will be offered for more research needs. Look for the Apple Watch to play a major role in health-related research in the coming years, and for Apple to tout its successes in that space.

Apple’s Cook usually uses his time on the stage at WWDC to talk about sales figures and other key data points, including adoption of current operating systems and popularity of certain devices. Chances are, Cook will talk extensively about the popularity of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus—the most popular Apple smartphones so far—and discuss their adoption rates around the world.

Like iOS, Apple has said that it will talk about the next version of its desktop operating system, OS X, at WWDC. Expect the new OS—whose name has yet to be revealed—to come with more iOS-like features and integrate nicely with Apple’s mobile operating system. It’s obvious that Apple’s goal is to combine iOS and OS X on as many fronts as possible, and the upcoming version of its desktop operating system will make that abundantly clear.

Expect the Apple TV set-top box to be one of the few devices that gets updated at WWDC. Several rumors claim the Apple TV will come with enough onboard storage to accommodate several movies or television shows, as well as with improved specs that will improve streaming content. Also look for the Apple TV to come with an App Store and Siri support.

For months, we’ve been hearing rumors that Apple is prepping a music service, built through its recent purchase of Beats Music, that will stream content to customers around the world. According to the latest reports, the streaming-music service will take on Pandora and Spotify and attempt to get artists to support it exclusively. Look for details on the music service at WWDC.

In addition to a streaming-music service, Apple with its Apple TV will reportedly provide a full streaming-television offering, similar to the Dish Sling TV. Details are somewhat slim, but the Apple television service will reportedly carry programming from major networks and enable users to watch programs in real time. The big question, though, is whether Apple can sign contracts with the networks before WWDC so that it can make a splash at the event.

The general consensus among analysts is that Apple will make a serious play for home automation in 2015. The company unveiled HomeKit at last year’s WWDC and will add on to that API at this year’s event, according to reports. Apple is chiefly concerned with making its many products, including the iPhone and iPad, central components in the home. But watch out, Apple: Other companies, including Google with its Nest product, are looking to jump into that space as well.

This one is a long shot, but there’s a chance that Apple will unveil the long-awaited iPad Pro at WWDC. According to several reports, Apple has already started production on an iPad with a 12-inch screen, and it’s possible that the company will want to show it off at WWDC. Between now and then—about two months—Apple has the time it needs to ramp up production and get it ready for a summer launch. An iPad Pro unveiling isn’t necessarily a guarantee, but many folks are hoping it happens.