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Apple unveils iOS 9 at WWDC
It wouldn't be a software development conference without some software, so please be upstanding as we welcome iOS 9 to the world. There are two themes to this year's update: a Snow Leopard-style series of behind-the-scenes performance tweaks as well as a raft of new "intelligent features." The first is pretty understandable, while the second looks to bring some of Google Now's much-trumpeted smarts to your phone and tablet. That means that, at least on paper, Siri will now be smart enough to predict the sort of information that you'll want before you start looking for it.
Apple unveils OS X El Capitan, which is all about experience upgrades
So long Yosemite, hello El Capitan. Apple just announced the latest version of its desktop operating system, OS X (10.11) El Capitan, at its WWDC conference in San Francisco. And while Yosemite gave us a major visual overhaul, this time around, Apple seems to be focused on polishing its desktop experience. It's similar to the minor refresh we got with Snow Leopard (El Capitan is a rock formation inside Yosemite National Park). So what's new? Gesture capabilities, for one. You'll be able to swipe to delete messages in the mail app, just like iOS. Spotlight search has also been improved, with support for natural-language queries like "Documents I worked on last June." You'll also be able to juggle windows more easily by easily snapping them side by side, or by creating split-screen views (both of which seem reminiscent of Windows 8).
Apple's WatchOS 2 update brings native apps, new features
When Apple's Watch first arrived, we couldn't help but notice that the first third-party apps on it were a tad sluggish. But that's because they were running on an iPhone and not natively on the Watch, as Apple's own health tracker and other apps do. That's about to change now, however, as Tim Cook just unveiled a new WatchKit SDK at Apple's WWDC 2015 event that opens up all the wearable's functionality to developers in advance of the Watch OS2 release this fall. That means app-makers will be able to tap the Digital Crown, health and orientation sensors, "taptic" feedback feature and more.
Live from Apple's WWDC 2015 keynote!
It feels like we were just here, and in a way we were: Just three months after unveiling the new MacBook, Apple is back at the Moscone Center in San Francisco to kick off its annual Worldwide Developer Conference. That means we're back at Moscone too, ready to liveblog whatever it is the company has up its sleeve this time. The question, as always, is what. We're not really due for any new hardware this time of year, save for a possible 12-inch iPad and Apple TV refresh (and even that's supposedly not happening). We also expect to see TV and music streaming services at some point, though we're not 100 percent sure Apple will be ready to announce either just yet.
Tim Cook says diversity is the future of Apple
Tim Cook has pledged that Apple's future won't be as white and male as it has been in the company's past. The CEO sat down with Mashable in advance of the WWDC keynote to say that diversity is the "future of our company." It's not just hand-wringing that has prompted his attitude, since he believes that "the most diverse group will produce the best product." The executive has added that the tech community needs to work a lot harder to show women that the industry is "cool" and "how much fun it can be."
Sony Music chief says Apple's streaming service arrives 'tomorrow'
In case there was any doubt that Apple is unveiling its self-branded streaming music service at the Worldwide Developer Conference this week, one loose-lipped executive just let the cat out of the bag. Sony Music CEO Doug Morris told guests at the Midem Music Industry Festival that Apple's announcement of the Beats-based service is "happening tomorrow" (that is, at the WWDC keynote). He didn't confirm any rumors surrounding features or pricing, but he believed that Apple's offering would represent a "tipping point" where streaming hits the mainstream. However popular Spotify may be, it generally doesn't advertise because it's "never been profitable," Morris said -- Apple has both the cash to market its service and hundreds of millions of potential subscribers. Whether the exec is realistic or looking through rose-tinted glasses, you'll know the truth in a matter of hours. [Image credit: Adam Berry/Getty Images for Apple]
Apple Pay is reportedly coming to the UK this summer
Apple Pay's tap-to-buy service might not be confined to the US for much longer. The Telegraph's sources hear that Apple will use next week's Worldwide Developer Conference to announce the UK launch of its mobile payment service this summer. Reportedly, the company will flick the switch sometime in the next two months. It's not clear exactly which companies have signed up, but 9to5Mac claims that big bank Lloyds Bank is a launch partner; MasterCard, meanwhile, says that it's "absolutely ready" for an Apple Pay debut in Great Britain. There's no word of a similarly quick introduction for other countries (sorry Canada), but it's evident that Apple wants to spread its shopping tech far and wide before rivals show up.
What to expect from Apple at WWDC 2015
Didn't we just wrap up a developer conference? Never mind that -- Apple's WWDC kicks off in earnest on Monday, June 8th, and we'll be there to liveblog the finer points of the morning's keynote (and bring you some sweet hands-on coverage too, if we get the chance). With just three days left on the calendar before Tim Cook and company take the stage at Moscone West in San Francisco, let's take a nice, leisurely run through what we expect Apple to show off once the weekend draws to a close.
New Apple TV hardware reportedly won't show up at WWDC, either
Apple's oft-rumored streaming TV service won't be the only thing going AWOL from the Worldwide Developer Conference next week, it seems. New York Times sources say that 1 Infinite Loop has scrapped plans to unveil revamped Apple TV hardware (along with a matching remote and app development kit) at the gathering. Reportedly, the new media hub just wasn't "ready for prime time" -- it's still coming, but you'll have to wait. There's no mention of when it'll show up. Assuming the leak is accurate in the first place, though, history suggests that Apple could wait until September (when it usually starts releasing its big products for the year) to debut its next-generation set-top box.
Rumored Apple TV service isn't ready for WWDC next week
Apple's annual Worldwide Developer Conference will kick off next week, on July 8th, and the company might announce a new music streaming service, a thinner set-top box and OS updates. You know what we might not see at the event, though? That subscription TV service Cupertino's reportedly cooking up. According to Recode, Apple did plan to unveil the new product at WWDC, but it had to postpone as the company's apparently not done negotiating financial terms and finalizing licensing deals with broadcasters yet. Even CBS CEO Les Moonves, who said last week at the Code Conference that his company will "probably" sign a deal with Apple, admitted that they're not finished talking about money. In addition, Apple's still working on the technology needed for broadcasters to deliver local programs to its Web TV service.
9to5Mac: Apple's working on iOS tweaks for 12-inch iPad
Still holding out for a larger iPad? Well, you're certainly not alone. Thanks to new details from 9to5Mac, it looks like Apple's prepping for a reveal as well. The site has a solid track record when it comes to rumors, and it reports that both hardware and software tweaks are in the works for the 12.9-inch slate. Two models, code-named J98 and J99, are reportedly in the testing phase alongside tweaks to Apple's mobile OS to outfit the extra screen real estate. As you might expect, the difference between the two is one is WiFi-only and the other carries both WiFi and cellular connectivity. Among the changes to iOS is a split-screen feature that could be announced for current iPad models as early as WWDC in a few weeks.
Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference begins June 8th
If you're wondering what Apple will do next with its mobile devices and the Mac, you won't have to wait too long to find out. The tech giant has announced the 2015 Worldwide Developer Conference, which starts on June 8th. It's not providing too many clues as to what will be there, but you can apply for tickets now -- and you'll have the option to stream sessions live if you can't make it out to San Francisco. It's safe to say that the event will include news on software for the Apple Watch, iOS and OS X, and it won't be shocking if Apple has something to say about a new streaming music service or a next-generation Apple TV. Whatever happens, you know we'll be there to give you the full scoop.
Apple will reportedly debut its music streaming service at WWDC
If you're hoping that Apple will launch its retooled music streaming service alongside a smartwatch next week, you'll have to wait a bit longer. 9to5Mac reports that Monday's "Spring Forward" event won't include details on the next phase of iTunes/Beats Music. Instead, the audio subscription option will launch at WWDC in June as part of an iOS update that annually rolls out soon after. Reportedly priced around $8 per month, the music service is said include features like curated playlists and content tailored to users' personal tastes -- both of which are key pieces of Beats Music. As you might expect, an app for the new service will make its way to Apple TV, and the same report claims a redesigned (read: slimmer) case and more capable remote control are on the way for Cupertino's set-top box. However, with the rumored 13-inch iPad and Retina MacBook Air that we may see this year, it'll be interesting to see how Apple plans to reveal a highly-anticipated update to its living room tech.
