What to expect from Apple's WWDC 2019 conference next week

Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) begins Monday (June 3rd) with a live presentation by Apple executives at 10am Pacific Time. WWDC is usually one of the two most important Apple events of the year (the other being the recurring event for the iPhone / Apple Watch in the fall), and usually focuses on software.

Apple has made the habit of introducing new versions of its operating systems to WWDC developers. These systems include iOS for iPhone, iPad and iPod; MacOS for Mac; watchOS for Apple Watch; and tvOS for Apple TV and Apple TV 4K. In fact, these are some of the main goals of the event. So you can expect to see detailed presentations during Apple's speech on each of them, as well as deeper dives for developers in the different sessions of the congress center, which will also be available as videos on the portal. Apple developers.

To prepare for the event, we record what we believe are the most likely rumors, reports, and predictions before the show begins – not just for software, but for hardware as well.

Let's dig in

iOS 13

We will start with iOS. Much of what we know about iOS 13 comes from a recent Bloomberg report, as well as a handful of leaks shared by 9to5Mac in recent weeks. Apple has focused iOS 12 on bug fixes and performance improvements on older devices, the company reporting some features on iOS 13. It is likely that iPhone and iPad users will finally see some of the features that they did not get last year, but performance and stability remain a focus.

With these priorities in mind, Apple has in fact made significant changes to the way it addresses iOS development over the past two or three years. However, we do not know much about how performance will be improved. The Bloomberg report says that there will be new, perhaps faster, animations for the multitasking interface and for closing apps.

Regarding the new features, we know a little more.

Dark mode

We've seen several reports citing reliable sources that Apple will bring dark mode (introduced in macOS with last year's 10.14 Mojave update) on iOS devices. This week again, 9to5Mac has released what they believe to be dark screen shots (pictured above). This is a boon for users who use their phone in bed late at night or watching a movie or television in their home theater, that's for sure, but glare on these shiny screens will likely make you to keep the standard lighting mode. on when to go out and during the day.

iPad enhancements

Although we do not have a lot of details, several reports said that the iPad would get a new multitasking interface and that there would also be long-requested changes to the screen. 39; home. In addition, Apple plans to offer users a way to easily switch from one version to another of the same application, although it is not known what would be the advantage for mainstream users. (Of course, developers and some advanced users could benefit considerably.)

A 9to5Mac report, also citing sources close to Apple's projects, announced the creation of a new window-based application interface. It could be the same thing as the Bloomberg report note on multitasking, or whatever. In any case, according to 9to5Mac, "each window may also contain leaves initially attached to a part of the screen but can be detached with a drag gesture, becoming a card that can be moved freely." Users will be able to stack the cards or dismiss them with a kind of gesture.

Finally, sources behind the same 9to5Mac report said that Safari on iPad would begin to default to using the desktop version of the websites instead of the mobile version.

Updated apps

Adjustments to existing applications created by Apple and included with the operating system are expected with each new iOS version. Apple should make significant changes to messaging, health, messages, maps, books and especially reminders.

For example, the Bloomberg report states that Apple will make it easier to access the locations saved in Maps and track them. The report also states that users will be able to disable threads in Mail, that the Health app will display new and different information on its main screen and that reminders will benefit from a much needed overhaul.

Safari usually sees big changes; According to rumors, this time, Apple will introduce a new download interface, at least on iPad. Apple can also combine the Find My Phone and Find My Friends apps, which are used very little, into one.

Other changes on iOS

The Bloomberg report also said that Apple would introduce a SwiftKey type keyboard. These have been available for some time as third-party applications, but like any platform holder with abundant resources, Apple has not usually hesitated to offer developers a first-release version of the program. A concept popularized by the industry's developer community. past.

Finally, Apple plans to introduce several new parent-focused features for Screen Time, the Settings panel that came out last year. Screen Time allows users to control the applications and content that can be accessed when, as well as track their usage with the help of helpful indicators.