So, WWDC14 has been announced, tickets have been released, via a raffle (many are seriously upset by this) and the rumours are rolling in. As with past events WWDC is the time of the year for Apple to show off new software, usually in the form of OSX and iOS, new SDK for the devs that get to attend and usually some hardware announcements/sneak-peeks. This we can all expect to kick off June 2nd (about 18:00 GMT).
What can we expect to see though? Here is a rundown of the things that have been discussed of late:
iWatch - I have lost count of the number of times this has been rumoured to be making an appearance now. So long in fact that other companies are getting onto 2nd iterations of a smart-watch with Apple still to show off their own. At the moment there is a huge push in fitness tracking and the watch has been adapted (for some years now) to enable logging of your activities and send it directly to your smartphone to view in all it's glory. To be honest this seems like a bit of a fad to me. The main thing I want from my watch is for it to look great, have a good weight to it and in the world of smart-watches allow me to do those things I get my phone out of my pocket to do on a daily basis that constantly drain the battery - see my previous blog for tips on increasing the time you get from your iOS device. These things are; the time (duh), the date, the weather, see who is calling/texting/emailing/generic social networking me, traffic/underground alerts and change up the music track/volume. Beyond that I don't need it to chime, tell me how unfit I am nor do I want to browse on it, read books, play games and watch movies. Those last few things are designed for larger screens, where the content can be appreciated not endured. Perhaps an NFC chip would be beneficial, to replace my bank card for small transactions and maybe even my Oyster (travel) card. In order for Apple to win me over on the smart-watch front it needs to take the steel pebble watch, add NFC, wireless charging & a slightly better screen and I'm sold. A similar price would help as well, none of this $1000 price tag I've read about. Failing all that maybe the (not so) secret Will I Am smart-watch can fill the void.
iPhone 6 - By now it is a given to expect a new iPhone model to be announced at WWDC, it is there to provide a platform for the new SDK and iOS to be tested on before release. In a dramatic turn of events it seems Apple are finally going to go for a larger sized screen despite arguing anything more than the current iPhone 5S/C screen is a waste as it renders the phone inoperable with just one hand, I can't help but think of the new washing powder that comes out that can get your whites even whiter than the previous one they brought out that also claimed to get your whites whiter, any whiter and they'll be transparent. Anyway, I'm glad. I'm sick of having screen envy everytime I see another smartphone. I know it can suck the life out of your battery and any nearby person can easily read your emails and texts over your shoulder but sometimes I just want to be able to view a YouTube video or read an email without having to place the phone about 5 inches from my face.
The other big rumours are the form factor - something similar to the iPad Air/Mini and the option of 2 sizes - 4.7 and 5.5 inch screen (I'll have the larger one thank you).
iPad Air 2 - Not a lot expected here, the normal boost to specs and perhaps the adoption of TouchID.
iPad mini with retina display - Add to that TouchID and you have yourself a new version.
12.9 inch iPad Pro - Information is still very minimal on this one. Seems unrealistic to me, there may be problems getting the touchscreen to perform at the high standard expected. If I were to go for something this size it would be a MacBook Air.
12 inch MacBook Air - Fanless, thinner and buttonless touchpad, how much thinner can it get?
iMac - Possibly the first hardware release of 2014 and maybe even a low budget version to purely boost sales. Given the iPhone 5C was supposed to be a budget version and still retained the high level standards this could be a good choice for those moving to Mac for the first time.
Apple TV - Still no actual TV set expected to arrive but an upgraded set top box with an App Store & motion control. I'm looking forward to this, much like the iWatch, Apple seem to be holding back on an upgrade like this to allow others to realease something to compete against. Mirroring from an iPad/iPhone is ok, not great. Better when a developer has put an option especially for it into an app, a good example is Real Racing which turns the device into a digital track and car stats plus a motion controlled steering wheel allowing you to concentrate wholy on the action on screen.
OSX - The latest version of OSX Mavericks may only have some slight upgrades. These can be expected to appear with stock apps like iTunes and Safari, system wide changes may go towards a flat design much like iOS7 and now we can expect the ability to output in 4K.
iOS8 - There has been very little in the way of rumours of information about the next version of iOS. Other than a slightly new layout to accomodate the new screen sizes and possible fitness, car play and watch utility apps there isn't much else to go on. Still we are missing the live tiles that Android users flaunt (I know iOS can do it, I can see the second hand moving on the clock) and the ability to place icons exactly where you want, allowing you to form a frame of apps around the wallpaper you actually want to view on your home screen. I imagine we can expect some small improvements in the flat design, hopefully a vast improvement in the notification/control centre screens as they are rather clumsy and frustrating at times.
Image sourced from gadgets.ndtv.com
That's all I can bring to you for now, I'm sure as we draw closer to WWDC there will be a lot more to talk about.
Let me know what it is you expect to see or want to see in the new hardware/software from Apple, or from anybody else for that matter. I have to admit I am being drawn in by the Sony Xperia Z2 at the moment, mostly for the screen and of course the water proof capability but given the timeframe of a new iPhone I find myself holding off for now.
NPH
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