wwdc2017
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Amazon Prime Video launches on Apple TV 'this year'
Well, that took longer than it probably should have: Amazon Prime Video will finally be available on Apple TV sometime "later this year." Yep, that means if you'd rather watch Man in the High Castle via an Apple device instead of the myriad other options that were available prior to this announcement you'll totally be able to do that. Now we're wondering if there will be no-Gary-Busey-required voice search via SIri.
Live from Apple's WWDC 2017 keynote!
Let's not play coy: When Apple puts on its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, we can always count on a few sure things. Why even bother asking if we're going to see new features for iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS? Of course we are! This is a convention of software programmers, is it not? The annual $64,000 question is always: Will we see some hardware too? It seems this year we might. The rumor mill points to updated MacBook Pros, an Echo-like Siri speaker and a 10.5-inch iPad Pro. Who knows? We wouldn't even be surprised if Apple used the occasion to give a first look at its redesigned Mac Pro, currently slated for a 2018 release. After all, it was at WWDC four ago that we first saw the current model, in all its trash can glory. So, what's in store? Only one way to find out: Bookmark this page, and tune in for our liveblog of Apple's keynote presentation, beginning Monday, June 5th at 10AM Pacific / 1PM Eastern.
Watch Apple's WWDC keynote live at 1PM ET
The day has come. It's time for Apple's annual developer conference to kick off and you can watch it live from wherever you'll be at 1PM ET/10AM PT. The company is keeping with its tradition of broadcasting the WWDC opening keynote for all the world to watch via the internet and Apple TV. When the time comes, tune in here (or on your set-top box) to catch all of the news as it's announced from San Jose. Yes, if you're watching on the web, you'll have to do so with either Safari or Microsoft's Edge browser. You'll also want to keep our liveblog open in a separate window to catch commentary from the crew on the ground. And while you wait for the festivities to begin, check out what we expect to be announced later today with our WWDC 2017 preview. Get all the latest news from WWDC 2017 here!
Apple stops showing 32-bit iOS apps in your search results
Apple has been nudging iOS app developers toward 64-bit code for years: it started by requiring 64-bit support, then told users that 32-bit apps might run poorly, and lately has been warning that 32-bit apps wouldn't work in "future versions of iOS." Now, however, it's pulling the plug. TouchArcade and others have noticed that 32-bit iOS software no longer turns up in App Store search results. You can still use direct links, but that's about as far as you can go. And you can probably guess why Apple is making this move right now.
What to expect from Apple at WWDC 2017
As a rule, Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference is predictable: New versions of iOS, macOS and watchOS are the stars of the show, and anything else is gravy. WWDC 2017, however, is shaping up to be different. Although there hasn't been much talk about what the new software will entail, the rumor mill has kicked into high gear with word of new Macs, new iPads and even a smart speaker. All told, operating systems may actually be the least exciting part of Apple's keynote. But which products are likely to steal the spotlight, and which ones are just wishful thinking? That's what we're here to sort out.
Apple reportedly begins production of its Siri speaker
Those rumors of Apple unveiling a Siri-enabled speaker just got a little more tangible. Bloomberg sources claim that Apple has started manufacturing the voice-controlled device. It might be announced at WWDC on June 5th, the insiders say. Just don't expect to buy one right away, though. If the rumor is accurate, the speaker "will not be ready" to ship until later in the year. Your patience may pay off, though, as there are reportedly a few features that will help it stand out next to the Amazon Echo and Google Home.
Apple hints you should wait to buy that MacBook Pro
If you needed a clue that Apple might be launching new Macs at WWDC, you just got it. Typical free shipping times for 15-inch MacBook Pro orders have slipped from same day to 3-5 business days in many countries, pushing deliveries to June 6th or later -- conveniently, a day after the WWDC keynote. There aren't any delays for the 13-inch model as of this writing, but it's not clear whether that's due to more bountiful supply or a lack of planned updates.
Apple reportedly announcing a slew of MacBook updates next month
Apple's annual developer conference hasn't been a venue for product launches in four years, but it might produce a bumper crop of laptops this time around. Bloomberg sources hear that Apple is planning to upgrade at least the 12-inch MacBook and MacBook Pro line when WWDC kicks off in June. The Pros would get improved 7th-generation Core (aka Kaby Lake) processors with little to no external changes, while the 12-inch system is only said to be getting a "faster Intel chip" (our money's on Y-series Core i5 and i7 CPUs). However, the biggest deal may be an update to a system many thought Apple had left for dead: the MacBook Air.
Apple's fabled iPad redesign may arrive at WWDC
Apple could have more than one hardware treat to unveil at WWDC this year. KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (who has a mostly solid track record for Apple predictions) now believes that Apple is likely to launch a long-rumored 10.5-inch iPad redesign when the developer conference kicks off on June 5th. Kuo understands that mass production is supposed to start in the late second quarter (aka June), so it only makes sense for the tablet to launch around the same time. As for what the device would entail, provided the report is accurate? To no one's surprise, Kuo mostly focus on the display.
Apple's Siri speaker could be the 'one more thing' at WWDC
You might not have to wait too much longer to see Apple's fabled smart speaker... though buying it may be another matter. Well-connected KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple will introduce its Siri-equipped speaker (labeled by Kuo as Apple's "first home AI product") at its Worldwide Developer Conference in early June. And to no one's surprise, it would be pitched as a premium alternative to the Amazon Echo -- a subwoofer and seven tweeters would deliver "excellent" sound. It would also tout a more powerful processor (comparable to the A8 or A9 in previous-generation iPhones) and, naturally, tight integration with other Apple devices.
Apple's WWDC starts on June 5th
Apple's annual developer conference, WWDC, will begin on June 5th and run through to June 9th. Typically, the show doubles as a press conference, serving as a showcase for the latest iterations of the company's various software offerings. While new hardware has rarely graced the stage in recent years, it's likely we'll see new versions of MacOS, iOS, WatchOS and tvOS, and perhaps some new applications to go with them. Regardless, we'll probably know a lot more about Apple's plans as the event draws closer, if not from Apple then from the traditional flow of leaks. For the first time in a decade and a half, WWDC will skip San Francisco in favor of San Jose. That's likely because Moscone West, the conference's home in recent years, is scheduled for refurbishments through June. The show will now be held in San Jose's McEnery Convention Center, which hosted WWDC from its 1988 inception all the way through to 2002. If you want to be there yourself, you'll need to be a member of the Apple Developer Program or Apple Developer Enterprise Program. Registration for WWDC begins on March 27th at 10AM PT, but the opportunity to buy tickets will be offered by random selection.