There might be no new hardware at WWDC 2020

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2020 WWDC looks epic anyway
Apple might not use WWDC 2020 to unveil the new iMac, AirTags, etc.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

WWDC 2020 Rumors point to Apple using Monday’s keynote for its annual developers conference to unveil a new iMac, a new HomePod and the debut of AirTags. But on Sunday, a reliable leaker said that these WWDC 2020 plans have been “scrapped.”

That said, the company supposedly still plans to unveil a long-term plan to switch Macs from Intel processors to ones Apple designs itself.

Update June 22: Confirmed. The keynote for this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference was all about software, and there was no new hardware.

Despite previous rumors…

Jon Prosser, a YouTuber and frequent source of inside Apple information, said Sunday on Twitter it is “looking like any possible hardware has been scrapped for WWDC tomorrow.” But he followed this up with a caveat: “Might be wrong about this one.”

But there’ll allegedly be news of a future Mac hardware change from Intel to ARM-based processors designed by Apple. Prosser said via Twitter on Sunday “You’ll hear about ARM for sure!

Replacing Intel chips with Apple’s own A-series processors is expected to yield significant performance boosts.

Possibly no iMac at WWDC 2020

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference is the traditional venue to unveil the new versions of macOS, iOS and other software updates. But hardware sometimes creeps in, too. The 2019 Mac Pro was unveiled at last year’s developers conference, for example. And the HomePod debuted at the 2017 one.

That helped fuel unconfirmed reports that Apple will announce a major redesign of the iMac during Monday’s keynote. The all-in-one desktop supposedly will be inspired by iPad Pro, with screen bezels far more slender than the current version. A refreshed, and possibly more affordable version, of the HomePod could be on the docket, too. And don’t forget about AirTags, the Bluetooth tracking tags Apple reportedly is working on.

But none of this will happen if Prosser’s prediction from Sunday is correct.

Still plenty of software

Even if this leaker’s info is right on target, Apple CEO Tim Cook and company will still have a full agenda for Monday’s WWDC 2020 keynote. iOS and iPadOS 14 are expected, possibly with Home screen widgets and a built-in augmented reality viewer. There’s CarKey and on-the-fly translation tools for Safari supposedly on the docket as well.

Expect macOS 10.16 and watchOS 7, too. And an update to tvOS.

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