Apple details exactly how WWDC 2020 will go down

Apple laid out its plans for “the biggest WWDC to date” in a press release Wednesday, detailing exactly how the first online-only developers conference will go down.

With live streams available on Apple’s website, YouTube and other platforms, everyone can watch the Worldwide Developers Conference keynote on June 22. During the highly anticipated event, Cupertino’s execs will showcase what the future holds for iPhone, Mac and other Apple devices.

Apple made the call to turn this year’s WWDC into a virtual event in March as the COVID-19 pandemic caused lockdowns around the world. Now we’re finding out exactly how Cupertino plans to take the event online.

WWDC keynote: Apple’s annual software showcase

The annual event typically draws thousands of developers to the San Francisco Bay Area. High demand for coveted (and very expensive) WWDC tickets caused Cupertino to institute a lottery system in recent years.

The WWDC keynote gives Apple a chance to promote changes coming in the next versions of iOS, macOS and its other platforms. The company also uses the WWDC stage to reveal new hardware and other important changes. (This year, we might see a redesigned iMac or get confirmation that Macs will switch from Intel to ARM chips.)

For Apple fans, WWDC is a must-see event — and Cupertino lets the whole world watch it for free. Other events, focused more intensely on nuts-and-bolts coding, are for registered developers only.

This year, all developers around the world can “attend” the virtual event. For many, the online-only format delivers the goods. However, the face-to-face time with Apple engineers — a golden opportunity for the 5,000 or so people who attended WWDC in years past — will be missed.

Apple will try to mitigate that loss with streaming sessions and its new Apple Developer Forums. These online forums will make available more than 1,000 Apple engineers to answer developers’ questions. Anyone will be able to read the answers, but only registered devs can post questions. One-on-one labs will give a limited number of developers the closest thing to that treasured face-to-face contact with Apple insiders.

All these in-depth extras will be available in the recently launched Apple Developer app and on the company’s developer website.

Technically, you don’t even need to be an actual developer to take part in all this year’s WWDC fun. Anyone can join the Apple Developer Program for $99 a year. That gets you access to all the WWDC events, along with early access to Apple beta software.

Apple WWDC 2020 press release

Read the full WWDC 2020 game plan in Apple’s press release below:

Apple reveals lineup for its biggest-ever Worldwide Developers Conference

Now in its 31st year, WWDC20 will be the biggest WWDC to date, bringing together the global Apple developer community of more than 23 million in an unprecedented, virtual way, from June 22 to 26. Apple today shared the WWDC20 lineup, including keynote and Platforms State of the Union timing, and information on how developers can learn about the future of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS, and engage with Apple engineers.

Special Event Keynote

June 22, 10 a.m. PDT
Discover exciting new innovations and updates coming to all Apple platforms later this year. The keynote address will stream directly from Apple Park via apple.com, the Apple Developer app, the Apple Developer website, the Apple TV app, and YouTube, and will also be available for on-demand playback after the conclusion of the stream. For viewers in China, the keynote will also stream on Tencent, iQIYI, Bilibili, and Youku.

Platforms State of the Union

June 22, 2 p.m. PDT
Hear directly from Apple engineering leaders as they dive deeper into the latest advances across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. State of the Union will be available on demand via the Apple Developer app and the Apple Developer website. It will also be available for playback on Tencent, iQIYI, Bilibili and YouKu for viewers in China.

100+ Engineering Sessions

June 23 to 26
Starting June 23, developers will have the ability to learn how to build the next generation of apps with more than 100 technical and design-focused sessions helmed by Apple engineers. Videos will be posted each day at 10 a.m. PDT and will be available in the Apple Developer app on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, as well as on the Apple Developer website.

All-New Apple Developer Forums

Redesign coming June 18
The all-new Apple Developer Forums will connect the developer community with more than 1,000 Apple engineers to answer questions and engage in technical discussions. Starting the first day of WWDC, anyone can search and view the forum discussions to follow along, and Apple Developer Program members will be able to post their own questions and learn directly from Apple experts.

1-on-1 Developer Labs (by appointment)

June 23 to 26
Developers will be able to request an appointment with the Apple engineers who helped build the latest advances in Apple platforms, offering one-on-one technical guidance and in-depth details on how to implement new features. Developer Labs will be open to Apple Developer Program members as space is available.

On June 16, Apple will celebrate student developers from all over the world with the announcement of finalists in the Swift Student Challenge, an opportunity for students of all ages to showcase their love of coding by creating their own Swift playground.

Developers are encouraged to download the Apple Developer app where additional WWDC20 information will be shared ahead of June 22. Information will also be made available on the Apple Developer website and by email.

Source: Apple