While many reports indicate that Apple plans to unveil new hardware during WWDC 2016, scheduled for next week, past patterns and internal sources indicate that this year's annual developer conference will still focus on software and services. While new product information may not be announced, new beta versions of OS X and iOS operating systems, as well as a redesigned Apple Music service, are expected.
Judging from the recent trends of many technology companies, Google, Microsoft, and Apple have gradually focused their developer events on service design and software updates, while hardware products tend to be unveiled at separate events to avoid shifting market attention. Therefore, just as last year's WWDC 2015 focused on software and service updates, Apple's WWDC 2016, which begins next week, is expected to focus on actual developer needs, focusing solely on new versions of OS X and iOS, as well as services like the redesigned Apple Music.
Previously, there were numerous market rumors that Apple planned to update the MacBook Pro during WWDC 2016. However, given Intel's expected release of its Kabylake processor platform in the second half of the year, Apple is not expected to unveil this new product during next week's event. The highly anticipated second-generation Apple Watch is currently being tipped to be unveiled at the fall event alongside the iPhone 7, with Coach likely to unveil new watch band accessories in June.
The new version of OS X, expected to be unveiled during WWDC 2016, is expected to further integrate the Siri digital assistant service, thereby competing with similar cross-platform services such as Microsoft Cortana and Google Now. It is also expected to strengthen the use of the Handoff technology and the connection with the iOS platform. The overall interface will be further simplified, and Apple Pay payment service may be added.
However, it remains uncertain whether OS X will follow the Chrome OS model in the future, allowing iOS apps to run directly on OS X, thereby expanding the OS X operating system's reach. Previous rumors have suggested that OS X will be renamed macOS, creating a more unified setup with iOS, tvOS, watchOS, and other platforms. Details are expected to be revealed during WWDC 2016.
Other service updates, including Apple Music and iTunes, may see their user interfaces redesigned to make it easier for users to use and manage their personal content. However, it's unclear whether Apple's entry into virtual reality applications will be revealed during the event.
WWDC 2016 is expected to begin at 6:13 AM PST on June 10th in San Francisco, USA. The keynote address will be held at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium near San Francisco City Hall, while the development sessions will remain at Moscone Center West.
