What's going to happen at Apple's WWDC?

 

Gallery

Posted on 8 Jun 2009 at 10:45

As Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference draws closer, we round up all the rumours from revamped iPods to Steve Jobs' return.

A new iPhone is expected to lead the keynote, which begins at 6pm (UK time). Leaked pictures from the Carphone Warehouse's internal supply database have already shown that it has been updated with 16GB and 32GB iPhones, available in either black or white.

One possible way of filling this extra space could be to allow direct downloads of movies and television shows to the iPhone from iTunes, as rumours have suggested.

The refreshed smartphone is also expected to feature support for 7.2Mbits/sec 3G connections and a significantly faster processor. There's also the possibility of video recording, a 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera and improved battery life. Suggested names so far include the iPhone 3GS and iPhone video.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, analysts have suggested Apple may look to take advantage of the gloomy economic climate with a stripped down 4GB iPhone with a sub-£100 price tag - though past experience suggests this is unlikely. Apple has never been comfortable at the budget end of the market.

Snow Leopard ready to roar?

Snow Leopard is also a good bet for an appearance. Rumours regarding Apple's refreshed operating system have been doing the rounds for some time, but revelations have been kept to a minimum.

It's thought Snow Leopard will focus on under-the-hood technologies, designed to provide the basis for future generations of the OS. Among the more interesting innovations are enhanced support for multi-core processors, and the new Open Computing Language which allows applications to tap into the power of graphics processors.

Rumours also suggest Snow Leopard will now offer out-of-the-box support for Microsoft Exchange.

An Apple event wouldn't be complete without some mention of a touchscreen tablet, though. This time the rumour mill's claiming Apple will pitch its tablet at the netbook-end of the market, and feature a 10in OLED display. We're not holding our breath on this one.

And one more thing: Steve Jobs himself. Apple's chief executive has been on medical leave and is not expected back until the end of June. Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, has been pencilled in to deliver the keynote, but that hasn't stopped commentators wondering if Jobs might still slip out of a manilla envelope at some point during the event.

Author: Stuart Turton