Apple Confirms WWDC 2020: Virtual & For Free In Late June. Here’s All You Need To Know

Ready. Set. Code.

On June 22, WWDC20 takes off. Get ready for the first global, all-online WWDC by downloading the Apple Developer app to stay notified on all the latest news, with updates for events and sessions. And there’s a lot more to come — starting with the first-ever Swift Student Challenge.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Apple WWDC will be available via Apple Developer app and website
• New iOS and watchOS are expected to be unveiled at the event. And other updates for MacOS , iPadOS etc.
• More details about WWDC 2020 will be shared in June

As mentioned earlier, Apple will reveal its new lineup of software at WWDC, with the next version of iOS along with other Apple software due. Reports had tipped that Apple with iOS 14 may introduce a new fitness app that might allow users to download guided training videos to help with workouts. Another rumour had indicated that we could get a new and improved Messages app, with the ability to add mentions and recall sent messages.

Similarly, we can also hope to see a new operating system for Apple Watch. A report last month had suggested that Apple is working on a Kids Mode in WatchOs 7 that will allow parents to connect more than one Apple Watch to their iPhone. Moreover, the company is looking at a "SchoolTime" feature in the upcoming watchOS that will allow parents to manage apps during school hours. Of course, the next iterations of macOS, the tvOS, and iPadOs are also expected, amongst other announcements.

The annual developers’ fest that is Apple’s World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) has just had its date and many more details confirmed. This year, it starts on Monday June 22 – rather later in the month than the event is customarily held. WWDC is in its 31^st year this year and it is going to be the biggest yet, Apple says.Of course, there’s one big difference this year: it’s virtual.

The spread of COVID-19, Apple took the decision months ago that it would make this year’s conference an online-only event. Well, you can hardly blame the company for wanting to keep its own engineers and the thousands of developers who usually attend safe right now.

There’s another very big difference: it’s all going to be free this year. Attendees usually pay around $1,600 to go to WWDC (though that fee does include a frankly rather spiffy limited-edition WWDC hoodie – last year it came in lots of colors and was even reversible).

Despite these changes, there’s some continuity with previous years. Here’s everything you need to know.

When is it and how much?

It begins on Monday, June 22 and, as mentioned above, it’s all for free this year. To attend you just need to be a registered developer.

Craig Fedirighi at last year’s WWDC keynote.GETTY IMAGES

Will there be a keynote and if so, when?

WWDC always starts with a keynote presentation from Apple executives and this year will be no exception. Nobody has been confirmed to appear yet, but you should expect CEO Tim Cook as well as Phil Schiller and Craig Federighi to be heading the virtual line-up. The WWDC keynote is unique as it has to appeal both to the developers (there are usually over 5,000 in the main hall for this event) and to the public watching remotely.

The timing is also to be confirmed but I would be prepared to bet quite a lot of money that it will be 10AM Pacific on Monday, June 22.

How many attendees this year?

Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, Phil Schiller, has said “WWDC20 will be our biggest yet, bringing together our global developer community of more than 23 million in an unprecedented way for a week in June to learn about the future of Apple platforms,”

Well, that’s certain more than can fit into the San Jose auditorium Apple conventionally books.

What about student developers?

There’s a place for them. Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering said, “Students are an integral part of the Apple developer community, and last year WWDC saw attendance from more than 350 student developers spanning 37 different countries. Although our gathering will be virtual this year, we want to recognise and celebrate the creative contributions of our young developers from around the world. We can’t wait to see this next generation of innovative thinkers turn their ideas into a reality through the Swift Student Challenge.”

The what?

Swift Playgrounds is the iPad and Mac app that helps with learning the Swift programming language. Students can submit entries to have a chance of winning a WWDC20 and pin set. Here are the details of how to apply, and applications have just opened.

Now through 11:59 p.m. PDT on May 17, student developers from all over the world can submit to the Swift Student Challenge by creating an interactive scene in a Swift playground that can be experienced within three minutes. Winners will receive an exclusive WWDC20 jacket and pin set. For more information, visit developer.apple.com/wwdc20/swift-student-challenge.

How do I find out details of the program?

Developers can download the Apple Developer app where details of times of the keynote, platforms, the State of the Union event, sessions, lab schedules and so on will all be revealed in due course, in June. It’ll also be available on the Apple developer website.

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