iOS 7, Mac OS X Updates, MacBooks and More: What to Expect at Apple's WWDC
Apple holds its first big event in eight months on Monday.
June 7, 2013 — -- It has been nearly nine months since Apple has held its last big event. In that time the company has suffered from some issues on Wall Street, been scrutinized for tax evasion and most recently defended its E-Book pricing against the Department of Justice.
But on Monday the maker of the iPhone and iPad will take the stage to focus on the future of its products at its annual Worldwide Developer's Conference (WWDC). Held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, the company will preview the next versions of its iOS operating system for the iPhone and iPad and the next version of Mac OS X.
We know those two things for sure, Apple CEO Tim Cook said so himself last week. But the details of those new software platforms and some more products are shrouded in Apple's usual secrecy. As Monday's keynote event approaches, the rumors and speculation have come along with it. Here are a few of the things that Apple is expected to have been saving up for the big event, which ABCNews.com will be covering live at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET.
iOS 7
No matter what else Apple shows at the event, the next version of its iPhone and iPad software will likely be the most important thing for the company to talk about. According to 9to5Mac, the next version of iOS will have a flat design. What does that mean? Well, it will shave off some of the textures you see around the software and apps.
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"For example, the yellow notepad-inspired Notes app and Leather-bound Calendar interfaces on the iPhone and iPad will no longer be present," 9to5Mac's Mark Gurman reports. His sources also say that the casino game icons and design of Game Center will be wiped out.
iOS 7 is the first version of the software that has been worked on by Apple's chief designer Jony Ive. Ive replaced Scott Forstall in October 2012.
Beyond the design, there are said to be new native sharing capabilities tied in, similar to what is available now for Facebook and Twitter. Flickr and Vimeo are pegged to get tighter integration. There is also speculation that photo filter options will be added to the Camera app.
Do not expect to hear about or see a new iPhone or iPad at this event. Although, we might hear about Apple's rumored iPhone trade-in program.
Mac OS X 10.9 and MacBooks
Over the last couple of years Apple has continued to bring aspects of iOS to its Mac operating system, and the expectation is that there will be more of the same this year.
9to5Mac reports that there won't be major design changes to the software, but that Apple might add the app switcher from iOS to Mac for when users are in full screen mode.
Apple is also said to release some Mac hardware at the show. While the new rumored MacBook Air and Pro computers won't likely run the new software, they are said to be thinner and faster thanks to Intel's new Haswell chips. The new processors offer better battery life while providing faster processing power.
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iRadio
Earlier this week The New York Times reported that Apple is working hard to finalize music deals as to announce its streaming music and radio service at the event next week. According to that report, the service will compete with apps like Rdio, Pandora and Spotify with streaming radio based on your music preferences. It is said to be free and have integrated advertising.
And then, of course, there's all the stuff we don't know about. ABC News will be at the event in San Francisco bringing you the minute-by-minute updates. Stay tuned for our coverage.
