It wouldn't be a huge annual trade show without a few appetite-whetting leaks. Just a few short days before Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference (WWDC) kicks off on June 4, an apparent leaks points to some incoming MacOS updates. While there's surely more to be revealed, it looks like MacOS 10.14 will sport both a "dark mode" and an Apple News app. The discoveries come from developer Steve Troughton-Smith (h/t 9to5Mac). He came across the new bits while he was fiddling around with the Mac App Store API. Buried behind the scenes, Troughton-Smith discovered a 30-second preview of Xcode 10, Apple's forthcoming update for its OS development tools. View it right here. The video doesn't spell out any major changes on its own, but eagle-eyed viewers have picked it apart already. The dark mode in evidence goes much further than the currently available version of it on MacOS, where it only affects the dock and menu bar. If you look carefully at the dock in the video, you can also see an app icon for Apple News (it's the red-and-white one, between the camera icon and the iTunes icon). The presence of a video preview in the Mac App Store also points to another new feature: App Store support for video previews. 9to5Mac speculates that this means iOS 11's App Store redesign is spreading to MacOS with 10.14. The video also offers a first look at Xcode 10. Troughton-Smith helpfully plucked out screenshots from the video preview, which you can see below. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Xcode 10 on macOS 10.14. Dark Appearance, Apple News, App Store w/ video previews pic.twitter.com/rJlDy81W4W — Steve Troughton-Smith (@stroughtonsmith) June 2, 2018 With WWDC 2018 getting underway on June 4, you can expect plenty more Apple news to surface soon.<doc-sep>Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off in the Bay Area this Monday. As always, the company will start the event with a keynote from Apple executives to lay out the company's software priorities for the coming year—and possibly some hardware priorities, too. The primary focus will be on iOS 12 and macOS 10.14—software for iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Apple will describe many of the new features coming to those platforms. This year, we're not expecting a radical overhaul for any of them. Apple plans to hold major features and redesigns until 2019 so it can focus on stability and performance this year. Apple is usually secretive about what's coming until the event, but we can fill in some of the blanks with past comments from executives about the company's strategy and direction, leaks from reliable sources, and more. The following is what we might learn at the keynote that starts on Monday, June 4 at 10am PDT (1pm ET). iOS 12 This will likely be the star of Apple's keynote. The company has already signaled that major UI overhauls and new features are not the focus this year. Instead, it's stability and performance. iOS 11 wasn't the smoothest release Apple has pushed. There were several serious bugs, and some features were delayed for months as Apple grappled with them. The company had reportedly planned to introduce a home screen overhaul among other things in iOS 12, but that has probably been pushed back to next year's release. Expect Apple to talk up the stability, performance, and security of iOS 12. But that doesn't mean the company won't introduce some new features. Here's what we might see. Digital Health In recent months, we've been hearing a lot of voices in the press and elsewhere raise concerns about smartphone addiction. From Facebook to Tinder to Clash of Clans, many mobile apps are designed around psychological principles of addiction to drive up engagement. Apple has already publicly stated that it will make counteracting this a priority in the future. Bloomberg reports that Apple engineers are ready to unveil a new feature in iOS dubbed Digital Health. It would add a new section to the Settings app that will allow users to track their smartphone usage both generally and in individual apps. It's one of the features we most expect to see at WWDC this year. Likelihood: Very high. ARKit We already know Apple plans to include a new version of ARKit, the software-development framework for making AR applications on iOS devices, in iOS 12. It will probably be called ARKit 2. Rumored features include support for multiplayer shared AR experiences across multiple devices in the same physical space. Apple's Tim Cook has said that he sees augmented reality as extremely significant and important—on par with smartphones and the original App Store. While consumers haven't been fully convinced yet, the technology is only getting started. The iPhone 8 and iPhone X were designed with AR specifically in mind, and Apple will use this conference to try to convince developers to dream up AR killer apps that justify the investment. Advertisement Likelihood: Very high. NFC The Information reported a few days ago that Apple plans to open up the iPhone's NFC capabilities to new use cases and applications. Currently, NFC is used for Apple Pay. We don't expect Apple to totally open it up to everything, like third-party payment systems, but there are numerous other possible applications of the technology that some Android users have enjoyed, but iOS users haven't. For example, NFC could be used at public transit turnstiles. We don't know for sure that this is happening at WWDC, but it appears likely. Likelihood: Medium. Other features iOS users have long asked for better parental controls in iPhones and iPads, so we could see something new in iOS 12 on that front. A February report claimed that Apple will introduce a new Animoji feature that would let users wear animated faces in FaceTime calls, that there will be small improvements to the Do Not Disturb feature, and that deeper Siri integration is coming. In any case, Apple is expected to roll out updates piecemeal over iOS 12's lifetime rather than front loading them in one big update. macOS 10.14 Not much is known about new macOS features, and we don't expect there to be major ones. We do expect one that's of interest to some Ars readers though: APFS support for Fusion Drives. We wouldn't be surprised to see an iOS 11-like redesign of the Mac App Store and deeper Siri integration, too. Apart from that, sources told Bloomberg that Apple is working on some development framework for creating apps that are iOS/macOS interoperable—that would be welcome for the struggling Mac App Store and the Mac software ecosystem in general. Whether this will happen in 2018 or 2019 is unclear. If it's this year, it will be a huge focus. If not, macOS will likely not see major updates beyond quality-of-life tweaks and performance, stability, or security improvements. The only other thing we know for sure about the new version of macOS is that Apple is in the process of ending 32-bit support, and we'll learn a lot more about how and when this is going to happen at WWDC—though maybe not at the keynote. Likelihood: macOS 10.14? 100 percent. Cross-platform apps? Possible. watchOS 5 Apple will probably save the best for the Watch for a new hardware announcement in September, but nevertheless, watchOS 5 will be revealed to developers at WWDC. Not much is known, but possibilities include third-party watch-face support and new workout types (like expanded strength workouts, which are currently poorly supported). Sleep tracking is also possible, as that's one of the main feature gaps between the Apple Watch and competitors, but that might be saved for the new watch later in the year. Likelihood: Very high. Apple TV and tvOS 12 Apple has introduced new versions of tvOS to developers at WWDC for the past few years, and we expect the same to happen again this year. However, we don't anticipate a major overhaul.<doc-sep>Apple introduces the biggest new features of its mobile and desktop operating systems each year at its annual developer conference, which kicks off on Monday. WWDC, the Worldwide Developer Conference, offers a sneak peek at the new capabilities app developers will be able to work into their apps—and iOS and Mac users will get to use—during its opening keynote. After that, developers get deeper dives, demos, and how-to’s during the conference’s breakout sessions and panels. Sometimes Apple uses the event as a platform to launch new hardware products as well. Advertisement Last year, the big news included the HomePod’s debut, a new 10.5-inch iPad Pro, redesigns to its App Store and Music app, and ARKit, the developer framework that lets developers more easily build augmented reality apps for iOS. It was an action-packed event, but much of it was learned about beforehand through leaks and reports. This year is different. Much of what Apple has in store for us is still a mystery, and what we do know isn’t particularly exhilarating. But don’t write off this year’s event as a snoozer yet. There are hints that several interesting developments and products are in the works. New Hardware While WWDC is a software-focused event—it is a developer conference, after all—there’s a good chance Apple debuts some new physical products too. Apple has a number of new devices reportedly in the works, and if any of these require special considerations by developers (or may be something they’d want to purchase), WWDC is the ideal platform for an unveiling. Unlike last year, when it was clear Apple would finally introduce its first smart speaker, this year there are a number of possibilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most exciting unveiling we could see at WWDC is a sneak peek at the new Mac Pro. Apple last introduced a new model of its high-powered desktop machine in 2016. Due to its unique cylindrical design and engineering, Apple decided to completely rethink the form factor of the next version of this device rather than give it an iterative update. The company also confirmed to TechCrunch and other sources that the device will not arrive until 2019. However, that doesn’t mean that Apple won’t tease the new device ahead of a 2019 launch date in order to drum up excitement. Developers and WWDC fans are likely some of the exact targets for this pro-level product. At this event, the Mac Pro would be a highlight, but it would be a mere sidenote if its introduction were saved for a more general consumer-focused keynote like its fall iPhone event. Advertisement Given Apple introduced a new entry-level iPad at its small education event in Chicago earlier this year and a new 10.5-inch iPad Pro at WWDC in 2017, it’s also possible that Apple could issue a follow-up to this device. According to reports that circulated in March, the next iPad will feature a design akin to the iPhone X—with no home button and an ultraslim bezel—and also include the iPhone X’s signature TrueDepth sensor on the front for Face ID and augmented reality applications. It will also reportedly include a more powerful A11X processor inside for faster processing and graphics capabilities. iOS 12 Apple originally had slated a major home-screen redesign for iOS 12, but that has reportedly been pushed back to a later iOS update. Instead, Apple’s iOS updates will focus on improving performance and stability—much needed after all the bugs of iOS 11. But we’ll still get a few notable upgrades. Advertisement Advertisement The first will expand the functionality of the iPhone and Apple Watch’s NFC chips. According to the Information, Apple plans to open up its NFC chip, currently only used for Apple Pay contactless payments, to a variety of other functions including unlocking doors, verifying identity, and paying transit fares. For owners of smart homes, newer cars, or subway riders, this could minimize the number of cards and keys you have to carry with you at all times. It could also make these daily actions faster and more seamless for iOS users. The second will be a boon for families: new and improved parental controls. Kids use mobile devices more than ever, and a growing cohort of concerned parents and experts are urging limited device time and greater safety options for young mobile users. While Apple already offers a number of parental-control features that can restrict what types of websites, apps, or movies a child can watch, it looks like Apple may also introduce ways to monitor or limit children’s screen time and get a breakdown of what apps they’re using most. Advertisement And while Apple has been quieter about its A.I. efforts than it was last year, we should also expect improvements to Siri if Apple plans to keep its digital assistant competitive with the likes of Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant. Apple hired Google’s former A.I. chief in April, so WWDC could give a first look at Siri under new leadership. Advertisement Bloomberg also reported Thursday that Apple will more tightly integrate its iOS and macOS platforms, which is good news for multidevice Apple owners whose workflows shift between the iPhone, iPad, and Mac throughout the day. Apple Watch The Apple Watch, in addition to getting the ability to pay your subway fare, will likely get some broader health and fitness–related features. The details are thin right now, but it’d be reasonable to expect the watch to be able to track new types of workouts. (MacWorld gives yoga and weightlifting as two possible examples.) Advertisement Apple has been active in advocating the Apple Watch as a health aid, so we could see new ways researchers can tap into its data to learn about users’ health and medical conditions. In November, it debuted the Apple Heart Study, which uses the device’s heart rate tracker to detect irregular heart rhythms. (The device has also been credited with saving a handful of lives, including a teen who was quietly undergoing kidney failure until the device alerted her that something was amiss.) Expect Apple to also add new watch faces to its current collection.<doc-sep>Apple WWDC 2021 Is the Mac heading to the Dark Side? A new leak suggests that could be the case. Software programmer Steven Troughton-Smith took to Twitter on Saturday to say he'd come across an internal Apple video that shows the company's Xcode development tool running on Mac OS 10.14. That's the upcoming version of the operating system, expected to be previewed at WWDC 2018, which starts Monday. Screenshots posted by Troughton-Smith suggest 10.14 may have a full dark mode, which would let you drape the user interface in nightlike tones. Currently in Mac OS, you can go part of the way there, by choosing System Preferences/General/"Use dark menu bar and Dock." But Troughton-Smith's screenshots suggest you may soon be able to take that color preference system wide. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Xcode 10 on macOS 10.14. Dark Appearance, Apple News, App Store w/ video previews pic.twitter.com/rJlDy81W4W — Steve Troughton-Smith (@stroughtonsmith) June 2, 2018 Other intelligence gleaned from the leak? There appears to be an Apple News icon in the dock, which may herald the arrival of a News desktop app for the Mac. And 9to5Mac, which earlier reported on Troughton-Smith's tweet, said that sand dune wallpaper visible behind the active windows in the OS suggests 10.14 might be called "Mojave." Apple didn't respond to a request for comment. Guess we'll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, you can fill up on more rumors here: "WWDC 2018: What to expect from iOS 12, MacOS 10.14 and more." CNET will have complete coverage of WWDC, including live coverage of the event from San Jose, California, and plenty of follow-up analysis, too. Stay tuned. Watch CNET's live coverage of WWDC 2018: Live blog and livestream commentary WWDC 2018: Complete coverage of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference Apple: See what's up with the tech giant as it readies new iPhones and more. Special Reports: CNET's in-depth features in one place.<doc-sep>
It’s that time of year again. The days are long, the sun is shining, and Apple is getting ready to take the stage at its annual developer conference to unveil a look at the future of its iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS operating systems. That’s right, WWDC 2018 is here, and it all kicks off on Monday, June 4th at the San Jose Convention Center. Keep it locked The keynote starts at 1PM ET / 10AM PT on June 4th, and as always, The Verge will be reporting live from San Jose with all the news as soon as it happens, so keep it locked here for all the details. The rumor mill has been almost uncharacteristically quiet about Apple’s upcoming announcements this year, but here’s what we’re expecting to show up: Software WWDC is a developer conference, so it’s become almost tradition for Apple to unveil a sneak preview of the next version of all of its major software updates for the fall. iOS 12: iOS updates are usually the star of WWDC, but temper your expectations for any big, flashy updates at this year’s conference. According to a report from Axios, the next major iOS update is said to focus on improving reliability and performance, which, given the almost unending stream of issues with iOS 11 following its release last fall, is probably a good thing. A bigger focus on reliability rather than new features But there are a few things that we might expect to see. iOS 12 will be the first major update to iOS following the introduction of the iPhone X, so it’s possible that we’ll get some new functionality that will be better able to take advantage of the iPhone X’s gesture interface, as alluded to by Apple’s chief design officer Jony Ive when the phone launched last November. Axios’ report also mentioned that there are still some new AR and health features in the works for this year’s update, and it’s possible Apple might have decided to bump up things like the redesigned home screen or updates to bundled apps that were originally said to be delayed. A new report from Bloomberg would seem to corroborate this, with rumors that much like Google in Android P, Apple is going to make a new “Digital Health” feature designed to help you better manage your time on your device a big focus of iOS 12. There are also rumors from The Information that Apple may be opening up NFC on its devices to developers for things like transit fares, plus, there’s always the chance that we might finally get long-awaited features like better notifications or multi-user support for iPads, although I wouldn’t necessarily hold my breath. Overall — expect a better working version of iOS, instead of a better-looking one. macOS 10.14: The rumor mill has been a bit quieter about updates to Apple’s next version of its desktop software, so it’s harder to say what to expect here. The one big thing that might be coming is some sort of integration between Mac and iOS apps — but the rumor mill has been divided as to whether or not we’ll be seeing that at WWDC this year (Mark Gurman at Bloomberg says yes, John Gruber at Daring Fireball says no), or to what extent Apple will be implementing it, but it’ll be something to watch for. Also, perhaps we’ll get a confirmed name for the next version of the Mac operating system. watchOS 5: Take this one with a grain of salt, but an unverified rumor from MacRumors claims that Spotify may be coming to the Apple Watch alongside a new “StreamKit” framework in watchOS 5, which would be a pretty big deal if true. There’s also probably going to be the usual slate of new watch faces (including a Pride-themed one that’s already leaked) and fitness features, as is usually the case for a watchOS update. Siri needs some work Siri: Put bluntly, Siri needs some work. The digital assistant was once Apple’s shining crown jewel of what the technology could be when it launched in 2011 on the iPhone 4S. But since then, Siri has stagnated in growth to the point where it’s barely a viable competitor to its far smarter and more useful counterparts in Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant.