The Apple Beat: Gearing up for WWDC 2015

 

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

WWDC, what we will see

By this his time next week, we will know what Apple will reveal at their World Wide Developers Conference. After Google’s rather lukewarm I/O conference last week (in the same venue, no less), all eyes are on Apple to reveal some exciting products and services. I don’t think we will be disappointed.

Just like Apple itself, WWDC has grown in scale and scope, and while we expect much of the focus to be on OS X 11 and iOS 9, as well as various cooperative features like Handoff and Continuity between mobile and desktop, there’s a whole lot more to cover.

iOS 9’s ever-expanding ecosystem should yield some news on CarPlay (auto infotainment), HomeKit (smart home, IoT), HealthKit as well as a whole lot more on WatchKit and WatchOS.

Apple Watch is the latest product line and now that most developers have their Apple Watches, it’s the perfect time to expand the boundaries of what this device is capable of. Right now, Watch Apps are mostly extensions of iPhone applications and while some are truly useful, I’ve used a few that feel like pale extensions of what is already on the iPhone.

We’ll likely see more functionality come to Apple Watch, or at least more partnerships (i.e. hotels that accept it as an access control device, more automakers with Watch apps).

Since Force Touch and Haptic Engine features are expected to come to iPhone (possibly iPad, too), there should be a number of sessions explaining how to integrate these new interactions and functionalities into iOS and even Mac OS apps.

Apple might make a big services announcement at WWDC 15, many are speculating that the time is right to announce an iTunes streaming/ Beats Audio service.

I’m thinking that WWDC might not be the time and place for this and Apple might create a new event specifically for an announcement of this magnitude. Same goes for AppleTV, while I can see them announcing new AppleTV hardware, will they have enough time to drill down all the features of a potentially game changing video subscription service, I find that difficult to believe.

New hardware is always a possibility and quite expected. During the past WWDCs I attended, we saw the first Retina MacBook Pros as well as the first prototypes of the new Mac Pro. Since Apple’s revamped most of their hardware in the recent past and even introduced a new product with the 12-inch MacBook, the only persistent rumour that remains is the ‘iPad Pro’.

iPad events are usually held later in the year, but bringing out a new device category like an iPad for professionals which features a larger display, a slick stylus for precision drawing,and higher-end specs might help move the needle for iPad sales as well create a new area of focus for Apple. Seeing as how Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 has increased popularity in both consumer and enterprise space, Apple putting out a Surface Killer which appeals to creative and enterprise users alike, might be timely.

Personally, I’m excited to hear about how Swift, Apple’s new developer language, has progressed in one year and how developers have been able to create new and exciting apps. As a fledgling iOS developer, I’m interested to see where the opportunities are now that Watch is part of the greater iOS ecosystem.

I’m wishing for a big ApplePay announcement, hopefully one that involves availability in Canada. It’s time mobile payments take centre stage and Apple’s system seem to have the most practical solution since it works with many existing terminals.

I’ll be on the ground at WWDC for the Apple Keynote as well as some developer events to get insights on the new announcements. I’ll be covering the proceedings live for Canadian Reviewer and will share my thoughts in this space shortly after.

A Month with Apple Watch

I’ve been using he Apple Watch exclusively for a little over a month now and It has easily inserted itself into my daily routine and simplified my communications, my health tracking efforts and also made it much easier for me to set reminders, get stuff done and relinquish many of my iPhone’s duties.

Battery life has been very impressive, not only does it last over a day and a half on a full charge, I find that it charges reasonably fast and can get a full charge in under four hours. Best of all, since I have reduced depending on my iPhone for checking alerts, messages, mail and social media, I find my iPhone 6’s battery lasts a bit longer too.

People recognize the Apple Watch like no other device or gadget I’ve used in recent history and they want to know more about it, too. I get asked about it all the time. Strangers want to know if it is worth it, what I use it for and many remark that they like the way it looks. This never happened with the Pebble, Pebble Steel or even the Moto 360.

Apple’s done a good job in making the public aware of the Watch, which seems to be recognized more than any other wearable before it, except maybe, Google Glass. The initial anouncement last year, the build up that followed and even the global launch and marketing for Watch has really propelled it into the public's consciousness.

While I notice a lot of healthy skepticism about the Watch and its benefits, there's no doubt that people are considering what it has to offer. I also noticed that both men and women seem to be eually intrigued about Watch which is rare for new technology. I am excited to see how much more compelling Apple Watch will be after next week's WatchKit and WatchOS announcements at WWDC, so stay tuned for more details after the keynote on Monday.