WWDC 2017: Apple’s Software Event Set For San Jose

For the first time in 14 years, Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference will find a new (old) home. The tech company is moving its event from San Francisco to San Jose, where it will play host to 5,000 developers at the McEnery Convention Center — a venue that last held the WWDC in 2004.

There are few reasons behind the relocation. San Francisco has been a great central hub for Apple in the past, but the city’s grown a lot over the last decade or so.  It’s become a busy metropolitan with a frenzied housing bubble that’s forced rental costs skywards. As a result, it’s become a very expensive place for developers to visit. Remember, these individuals have already dropped $1,599 USD just to get a ticket, and they still need to cover transportation and accommodation.

Apple wouldn’t be the only company abandoning San Fran because of its high costs. Back in April, developers flooded the McEnery Convention Centerfor Facebook’s 2-day F8 event. May will see Google welcome I/O attendees at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, some 38 miles south of the Golden Gate Bridge. Meanwhile Microsoft is leaving California altogether in a move that will take its annual Microsoft Build to Seattle.

It isn’t just about how busy San Fran’s become.Apple has also seen monumental growth as a company ever since it released the very first iPhone 10 years ago. Looking to expand, Apple has turned its sights south to San Jose, partly in due to the fact that it’s much closer Cupertino, where Apple HQ is located.

Regardless of its location, the WWDC will continue to unveil the latest software updates Apple has been working on. Though not guaranteed completely, it’s safe to assume the tech company will roll out the new iOS 11 (setting up for the iPhone 8 launch in the fall) and the new macOS (likewise preparing for the newest MacBook iteration).

Will we see the fabled MacBook Pro unveiled at the event?

The short answer is no, but that doesn’t mean all is lost for Mac fans. Tim Cook has gone on the record stating this newest update to the MacBook line will be “big” in ways that will make up for previous, less innovative updates like what wesaw in ’16 model. When exactly we’ll get to see this state-of-the-art Mac is up in the air, but it’s likely to hit the market after the summer.

In the meantime, you can make sure your current generation lasts until the next update by applying a vinyl MacBook skin. Whether you were lucky enough to get a ticket to this year’s WWDCor not, a skin will protect your MacBook this summer wherever the season takes you — in a busy convention center or at an espresso bar. They’re easy to apply and will keep your older generation safe from cosmetic damages while camouflaging any older marks.

In terms of the update to Apple’s operating systems, nothing is locked in, but experts have speculated that we can expect the following features:

• Updates to Siri: A lot has changed since Siri first became a feature on our iPhones. Over the last 8 years, Google and Amazon has worked hard to create an A.I. that rivals Apple’s. Though we’re a long way from having our very own JARVIS a la the Iron Man series in our back pockets (unless you’re Mark Zuckerberg), these newest A.I.s are the next step to get us there. We hope to see Siri showing off some new tricks this June to prove Apple hasn’t lost its edge.

• Apple’s Take On Social Media: As if we didn’t already have enough temptations on our phone, Apple might be creating a new app that could help us waste more of our time. Rumors say it will mimic Snapchat and Instagram in the ways it will share and edit videos.

• Ironing Out Old App Bugs: There have been some issues with iTunes since the latest update to Sierra. Tech lovers are hoping these will be sorted out by the unnamed OS. Anyone who can guess which California inspired name Apple will choose for its newest OS will win bonus points.

• Introducing New Apps: As we see it, the newest macOS will precede the newest MacBook, which is rumored to have a Kaby Lake processor suited up with 14 nanometer manufacturing process technology. If this is true, then the new OS should be able support new apps like Apple News, Podcasts, and HomeKit.

There are sure to be plenty more features to come along with the latest updates, but we won’t be able to say definitively until June 9 finally marks the end of 2017’s WWDC. Until then, we’ll continue speculating. Help us out by letting us know which updates you hope to see in the newest software.