What to expect from the June 2019 Apple WWDC keynote

Apple's 2019 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is set to kick off in a few hours, but we wanted to break down some of the rumors and leaks ahead of the keynote. Tim Cook is set to take the stage at the 10:00 AM PT live stream start time, and while this event focuses mainly on software and services, some fans are hoping for one more thing in the form of a new Mac Pro. Please take a look at our expectations ahead of WWDC 19.

iOS 13 

Apple tends to use WWDC as an opportunity to lay out the future of their operating systems. iOS powers iPhones and iPads, so we expect Apple CEO Tim Cook to spend a decent amount of time talking about some of the major updates coming to the smartphone and tablet operating system. Some rumors about iOS 13 include the addition of Dark Mode, a feature that Shacknews.com has had since August 2018. Apple is also expected to merge Find My Friends and Find My iPhone into one unified interface called "Find My." Some reporters are expecting Apple to announce improved health-related updates to apps including a "Sleep Mode." iPad is reported to get some loving at WWDC 2019, too with an update that will add support for multiple windows of apps. "Detachable panel" interface is rumored to allow users to detach and move portions of screens around. 

watchOS 6, tvOS 13, and macOS 10.15 too

Apple makes other products too. Apple Watch owners are set to get some more information about the forthcoming watchOS 6. The operating system is rumored to be adding an on-device App Store. This is a break from the Watch App Store that lives inside the Watch app on iPhone. The watchOS 6 update is also rumored to be adding new faces and complications, as well as a new Books app for audiobooks. Apple Watch owners tend to love these devices and the Cupertino tech behemoth is set to keep motivating users to fill those circles with today's announcements.

Apple truly has quite a bit of work experience when it comes to television. For most of its life, Apple TV has been viewed as a hobby by the company, but they appear to be super serious now with the announcement of the Apple TV+ service. Even though we have no idea what the price of the service will be, Apple will clearly have to update their tvOS to accomplish all of Oprah's goals. You get a new OS, you get a new OS, everybody gets a new OS! While there won't be a hardware announcement at WWDC, we expect to hear more about how we will all consume all the fine Oprah content that Apple has secured with their massive content deals.

Oh yeah, Apple makes computers still. macOS is set to get an update to version 10.15 this year and WWDC is usually the place where the team drags out Hair Force One, Craig Federighi, to detail some of the broad strokes of the computer operating system update. 10.15 is likely to focus on the integration of iPad apps into macOS with the company's Marzipan porting tech. Apple is also reportedly working on a new kind of external display functionality that will allow Mac users to send specific applications to different displays. This would be a welcome change to how wonky macOS handles Apple TVs as a display right now. macOS 10.15 is also rumored to be bringing some apps over from iOS like Shortcuts, Screen Time, Apple Watch authentication, and the new unified "Find My" app.

Death of iTunes

As Shacker rudds posted last week on our Chatty forum, it appears that Apple will be moving away from their flagship iTunes application on PCs and Macs and towards a new Music app. Podcasts will likely be spun out of iTunes and ported over from the dedicated app found on iOS. This is a big deal for long-time Apple users, and the company has to do right by folks who have massive libraries. iTunes is also a storefront for video content, and the rumors have yet to confirm what Apple's plans will be for users' owned video content. As Apple has been pushing towards content as a service as opposed to owned videos and music, this move doesn't come as that surprising, but it will certainly be an end of an era when iTunes is officially sunset.

More Animoji, maybe some ARKit

You better believe Apple will showcase more of their AR face recognition emotes. Maybe a taco talks or something else that will be neat for a few minutes. Hopefully Apple will have some other ARKit stuff to show off that will enable to do some cooler things in augmented reality.

Mac Pro that isn't a trashcan

Apple has been rumored to be working on a Mac Pro refresh for many years, following the poor reception of the Mac Pro trashcan design. The company claims to be working with their power users to figure out a new, better design that they can price gauge customers into buying. WWDC 2019 would be a perfect event to announce a product built for developers and power users, so here's hoping the announcement actually happens. 

Apple's WWDC 2019 live stream keynote kicks off at 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET. Keep it locked on Shacknews.com for all the news from the event as it breaks.

Asif Khan

CEO/EIC/EIEIO

Asif Khan is the CEO, EIC, and majority shareholder of Shacknews. He began his career in video game journalism as a freelancer in 2001 for Tendobox.com. Asif is a CPA and was formerly an investment adviser representative. After much success in his own personal investments, he retired from his day job in financial services and is currently focused on new private investments. His favorite PC game of all time is Duke Nukem 3D, and he is an unapologetic fan of most things Nintendo. Asif first frequented the Shack when it was sCary's Shugashack to find all things Quake. When he is not immersed in investments or gaming he is a purveyor of fine electronic music. Asif also has an irrational love of Cleveland sports.