Apple Reveals Virtual WWDC Lineup Including Special Keynote on June 22

The coronavirus pandemic has forced companies around the world to adapt and innovate in order to continue hosting events and conferences. One such company is Apple, which has been holding its annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) for 31 years. Due to the health crisis, Apple announced in March that WWDC20 would be held online, and today we have a detailed look at what the virtual developer event will offer.

Table of Contents

Keynote Address

The keynote address is always one of the most highly anticipated parts of the WWDC conference. This year’s special event keynote will take place on June 22 at 10 a.m. PDT, streaming from Apple Park via apple.com, the Apple Developer app, the Apple Developer website, the Apple TV app, and YouTube. For viewers in China, it will stream on Tencent, iQIYI, Bilibili, and Youku.

After airing, the keynote will be available for on-demand viewing across platforms. The keynote address is expected to cover some of the major announcements from Apple this year, including updates to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS.

Platforms State of the Union

Following the special event keynote, there will be a Platforms State of the Union keynote at 2 p.m. PDT on June 22. This keynote will offer deep dives into new technical features and advances across Apple’s various platforms. The keynote will be available on-demand on the Apple Developer app and the Apple Developer website.

Engineering Sessions

The WWDC conference is known for its in-depth engineering sessions, where Apple engineers share their knowledge and expertise with developers. This year is no exception, with over 100 technical and design-focused sessions taking place from June 23 to June 26.

These sessions will be available on the new Apple Developer app for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, as well as on the Developer website. Each day, a batch of session videos will be posted at 10 a.m. PDT, allowing developers to catch up with what they missed or revisit their favorite topics.

Developer Labs

The WWDC conference also offers one-on-one developer labs, where developers can meet with Apple engineers to discuss specific technical issues or questions they may have. This year, these labs will be available from June 23 to June 26, and will be made available to Apple Developer Program members as space is available.

Apple Developer Forums

The WWDC conference has also seen a significant update in its developer forums. The new design, launching on June 18, aims to provide an even better experience for developers to connect with Apple engineers in a virtual environment.

Over 1,000 engineers will be available to answer questions and engage in technical discussions in the forums starting from the first day of WWDC. Apple Developer Program members will also be able to post questions for engineers to answer.

Swift Student Challenge

The Swift Student Challenge is an annual competition that encourages students to create apps using Apple’s Swift programming language. The finalists for this year’s challenge will be announced on June 16, ahead of the WWDC conference.

Challenges and Limitations

While the virtual WWDC conference offers many benefits, it also presents some challenges. One of the main limitations is the lack of face-to-face interaction between developers and Apple engineers. This can make it more difficult for developers to ask questions and get clarification on specific technical issues.

However, Apple has taken steps to mitigate this by providing a range of online resources and support materials, including the new Apple Developer app and forums.

Conclusion

The WWDC20 virtual developer conference is shaping up to be an exciting and informative event. With over 100 engineering sessions, one-on-one developer labs, and access to Apple engineers through the updated forums, there’s no shortage of opportunities for developers to learn and grow.

While there are some limitations to the virtual format, Apple has done its best to provide a seamless experience for attendees. We’re looking forward to seeing what announcements and updates will be revealed during the conference.

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