Apple WWDC on June 6th will be an online-only event
Apple has announced that its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will be held on June 6th as an online event. This is when we will get our first preview of upcoming software including watchOS 9.
COVID-19 is still lingering around and Apple has decided to, once again, hold its annual WWDC in virtual format only. There will be no physical gathering for the third year in a row.
The decision makes sense. The unpredictability of the virus means it could return in full force at any time. The keynote and other presentations will be shown over the internet and there will also be information sessions, learning labs and digital lounges.
At its heart, WWDC has always been a forum to create connection and build community. In that spirit, WWDC22 invites developers from around the world to come together to explore how to bring their best ideas to life and push the envelope of what’s possible. We love connecting with our developers, and we hope all of our participants come away feeling energized by their experience.
Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations and Enterprise and Education Marketing
For those not in the know, this is the company’s information technology conference typically held in San Jose Convention Center in California. The event showcases Apple’s upcoming software and this year we are expecting a preview of the latest macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and tvOS, along with other other Apple software. Who knows, the tech giant might even give us a preview of upcoming hardware such as the rumoured AR/VR glasses.
WWDC starts on June 6th 2022
Last year the big day fell on June 22nd, this year it will be a bit earlier – on June 6th and concludes on June 10th. Of most interest to us will be the next version of the Apple Watch operating system – watchOS 9.
There is little information on what to expect from the new software. watchOS 8 was not a massive advance so there’s hope we might see bigger improvements this time around. It would be good to see improved sleep tracking, a more responsive Siri, support for third-party watch faces and health and fitness tracking improvements. Recovery tools are one area where the Apple Watch is lacking.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
Apple tends to follow a regular pattern. A Beta version of watchOS 9 will be released over the summer for both developers and public testers. It typically comes out soon after WWDC. For reference, the first public beta version of watchOS 8 came out on July 1 – so about 10 days after the event.
The final release of the software will hit watch owners’ wrists sometime during September. Apple Watch Series 8 and SE2 will, most likely, come with the new operating system installed.
As far as compatible devices, the current software supports everything from Apple Watch Series 3 and above. But it is expected Apple will drop support from Apple Watch Series 3 from September. That’s not really surprising as the device has been around for some 4 years now.
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