Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference will kick-off today from San Francisco, and the media are ready to speculate on potential updates.
"Apple needs to demonstrate that it still has the ability to innovate and invent products that consumers don't know that they need or want yet," said Gartner analyst Van Baker, via Forbes. "This is the hallmark of Apple."
"While an interactive TV, smartwatch and a new iPhone aren't expected today, [Apple CEO Tim Cook] has an opportunity with the new iOS 7 software and new services including a streaming-music service already dubbed iRadio by company watchers to shift attention away from concerns about shrinking profit margins, lackluster iPhone sales and increased competition from rivals like Google and Samsung," reported Connie Guglielmo of Forbes.
The Guardian's Charles Arthur wrote, "There will be a new version of iOS - iOS 7 - revealed, at least in part. It's expected to be released in the autumn, when the next update of the iPhone is released. Based on the icons some claim to have seen, and the posters for the conference, the expectation is that it will follow Ive's philosophy: no frippery in appearance, and a 'flatter,' more functional appearance."
"Apple also could introduce a refreshed Mac Pro desktop tower for those deep-pocketed office managers who prefer to order the freshest machines," speculated CNN. Later adding, "There have been some rumblings about a possible new iPad. It has been a little more than seven months since the iPad mini was unveiled, though, and only four months since Apple offered a 128GB version of its bigger counterpart. So a new model would be a surprise."
MacWorld focused on access to "all things Apple," such as improvements to the Notifications system and the lockscreen on the mobile operating system.
"Speaking of access, developers also want to integrate their apps with Siri on iOS (and on OS X, if the virtual assistant comes to the Mac). But that's a goal that has its fair share of challenges, and it's unclear whether Apple has put the time and effort into overcoming those yet."
Jason D. O'Grady of ZDNet reported, "While we might not know the name of Apple's next cat (my bet's on 'Ocelot'), you can expect it to pounce at WWDC 2013. Like iOS, Apple has a history of previewing the next major OS X version at its developer conference (except for a hiatus at 2010) and the timing is right."
Apple confirmed the dates of the 2013 WWDC in late April. Although tickets quickly sold out, the Cupertino-based organization launched an app for the five-day conference.
According to Apple, "Make the most of the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference with the WWDC app. Even if you can't join us in San Francisco, you can still follow along each day - session videos are just a tap away for all Registered Apple Developers."
What are your expectations for the 2013 WWDC?
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