CIOInsider India Magazine

Apple’s annual WWDC21 (Worldwide Developer Conference) is just around the corner, as the date is scheduled on June 7, 2021. It is during these events Apple brings to the table all its latest software updates, plans and at times a new hardware product as well. These annual updates give reason to buy its products and have them stay tuned to its universe.

For years Apple has been hosting the event (since 1983), with attendees flying over from countries to take part in its contests or just to be part of it. As each curious mind desires to feast upon the company’s newest features. However, this year’s edition would be held virtually like the previous one, due to the COVID-19 pandemic restraints. People can enjoy the event at the comfort of their home. At the same time, this takes away the thrill of having to be there in person to see the products and the same is true for employees to not be able to test them out in the flesh.

Regardless of the pandemic, the company feels the show must go on. Likewise, attendees are also eager, as they know that it has a lot in store. But before getting into those expectations, it is crucial to learn about its last edition.

Things to Know
While Apple blows the trumpet to new OS versions at the WWDC, it helps add more to the developer’s, creators, or attendees’ curiosity to have them etched to that curiosity for every product it releases.

iOS 14
Last year Apple announced about redesigning the iOS home screen, with Apple's new App Library combining all your apps into a variety of broad. Users only need a portion of it to perform things like pay for parking or make in-store payments, and it's all backed up by Apple Sign-In and Apple Pay. Apple is also improving Messages, Maps, and Siri translations, as well as introducing its new CarKey API for automakers.

iPad OS 14 and Watch OS 7
Although iPad OS 14 was not quite as revolutionary as its previous version, it does address some of the most common issues customers experience with the OS, which still has its origins in the phone ecosystem. For starters, calls and call notifications are no longer full screen, which makes multitasking easier.

Big One for the Mac
This has been the most notable change, where Apple announced that it would move its Silicon-based Macs and it precisely did that, which was viewed as one the most successful technology migrations. It announced its internal silicon processors and its transition away from Intel-supplied processors, indicating that the ability to run iPhone and iPad apps natively on Macs will be the most significant development soon for consumers.

It stated that it will continue to support Intel and their own CPUs for years to come. It also revealed MacOS Big Sur, Apple's next operating system, which is designed from the ground up for its next Apple-Silicon-based computers. Apple's user interface language will be streamlined and unified across the whole Apple ecosystem with the upcoming MacOS.

Such were the major updates of last year’s edition. Fast-forwarding to this year’s yet to be launched event, Apple had held its Swift Student Challenge for young minds to showcase their coding skills. As such, there were three winners and one of whom belongs to Indian origin.

A Win for India at the Swift Student Challenge
Abhinaya Dinesh, a 15-year-old Indian girl is among the three winners who are Gianna Yan and Damilola Awofisayo during this year’s challenge. Her interest in the intersection of health and technology inspired her to build Gastro at Home, which she plans to release on the Apple Store this summer.

The app, according to the company's statement, gives people with gastrointestinal ailments a way to access information and assistance, which is especially crucial considering how difficult it can be to talk about these issues. After suffering from gastrointestinal problems, herself, Dinesh was motivated to design such an app.

According to a release, Dinesh has also established her own foundation, Impact AI, to encourage artificial intelligence learning and ethical behaviors among young people. Girls in AI is an eight-week high school program that teaches young women the fundamentals of programming and machine learning as part of it.

"Every year, we are inspired by the creativity and inventiveness that we witness from our Swift Student Challenge candidates. We are tremendously happy that this year, more young women applied and were awarded than ever before, and we are dedicated to doing everything we can to continue this momentum and achieve real gender parity", remarked Susan Prescott, Vice President, Worldwide Developer Relations and Enterprise and Education Marketing, Apple.

Things to Expect in WWDC21
Aside from reports regarding the iPad getting a home screen revamp, there are not many leaks or rumors about what to expect in any of the updates thus far. After the arrival of the M1-powered iPad Pro, there are high expectations for Apple to upgrade the iPad's software.

According to Apple's yearly upgrade schedule since the iPhone's launch, iOS 15, iPadOS 15, WatchOS 8, MacOS 12, and TVOS 15 will be released. There have been rumors that the iPad would get widgets on the home screen, similar to what the iPhone got with iOS 14, and that Apple's iMessage messaging platform will be improved on both the iPhone and iPad.

Additionally, there are also speculations which have swirled about whether a new MacBook Pro, presumably equipped with Apple's next-generation silicon chip, will be unveiled at WWDC. There have also been speculations for months that Apple is getting set to unveil a new pair of AirPods.

It's probable that both smartphones will be on display at WWDC 21. However, it's possible that neither device will be announced. Software is the only genuine assurance.