The many rumors surrounding Apple’s keynote at WWDC
Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco is just around the corner, with the keynote session Monday morning, and we could be in for quite a few announcements.
WWDC’s keynote is typically used by Apple to launch new products, so if you want to keep updated on any announcements Apple might make, check back with us Monday. We’ll be blogging the latest news, and you can follow me on Twitter for a live tweet of the event.
So what should you expect? With a company as secretive as Apple you can never know for sure, but here’s a roundup of what rumor blogs are predicting.
Mac makeover
Many sites have reported that Apple could announce updates to nearly its entire line of Mac computers.
First we heard that Apple would be prepping the 15-inch model of the MacBook Pro for a renovation that will see it become faster, thinner and receive the retina display that is already used by the iPhone and iPad. This is among the most likely of announcements that will happen.
But both the 11- and 13-inch models of the MacBook Air may also get the retina display. We began hearing reports that Apple was beginning work on this change, but it wasn’t until last week that rumors began saying it could happen at WWDC.
Also rumored for an update is Apple’s heavy duty Mac Pro. This computer hasn’t been updated since 2010, and lists have emerged showing parts numbers interpreted by various rumor sites to indicate that Apple will announce three new versions of the Mac Pro. There’s more evidence backing this claim, so this one is also likely.
And the iMac has also been reported to be in line for updating. Possible changes haven’t been detailed, although the possibility of adding retina displays has been suggested. This one has been more speculated than reported.
Joining the Macs could be their next operating system, Mountain Lion OS X. Apple introduced Mountain Lion in February, but not much else besides the sneak peek has been given. With WWDC being a conference for its developers, the stage is perfect for Apple to launch the OS.
Mobile mods
Apple’s mobile products are also rumored to be due some modifications at WWDC.
Among the all-but-announced developments is that Apple will preview iOS 6 for the first time. Earlier Friday, pictures of workers hanging banners with the logo for iOS 6 at WWDC hit the Web, so it would be shocking if Apple didn’t announce the OS.
Inside iOS 6 is where the questions lay.
Among the most likely announcements is that Apple will integrate Facebook into iOS. Chief Executive Tim Cook told listeners last month to stay tuned for news involving the two companies, and last week TechCrunch reported that the integration would be happening.
Also likely is Apple’s introducing its own maps app, which many speculate will use 3-D mapping. This could mean Apple is giving the boot to Google Maps as the default iPhone navigator, but we’ll have to wait and see the details on this one.
IOS’ App Store, iTunes and iBooks may also get changes, likely making them more social in order to have their products be more discoverable. The reason behind this rumor makes perfect sense, but there haven’t been too many articles reporting this change.
But the biggest change to mobile could be Apple’s announcing that Siri is making the jump to the iPad. Since being launched in October, Siri has kept it exclusive with the iPhone, but 9 to 5 Mac reported that Siri will now also be on the iPad and the announcement could come at WWDC.
Questionable
Also in the mix is the rumor that just won’t go away: an HD Apple TV.
Some sites have speculated that Apple could choose to announce an HD TV at WWDC, and while something like this could happen -- especially with Apple’s top designer saying Apple’s current, secret projects are its best yet and Cook saying he’s very interested in the TV market -- WWDC may not be its stage.
However, a new OS for the current Apple TV, that some say could also be used for the HD version, might drop. There have been lots of reports that Apple will introduce the redesigned Apple TV operating system, and others have speculated that because many of the WWDC’s session are still TBAs, they could be there for the new OS.
Unlikely
In the last month there have been a lot of reports about the next iPhone having a larger screen than previous versions. There have also been reports that it may launch before October, as the previous iPhone did.
But you might not want to hold your breath for the next iPhone at WWDC.
If it was announced next week, it would be far ahead of schedule and would essentially steal the limelight from all of Apple’s other announcements. There have also been basically zero reports saying Apple will announce it at WWDC.
So there you have it. The Cupertino, Calif., company could drop a ton of news Monday, but you can never be sure about Apple, which is not afraid of changing its plans entirely at the last second.
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