The Apple Beat: WWDC 2012 possibilities and predictions

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

We're days away from Apple's World Wide Developer's Conference in San Francisco (stay tuned for my live coverage here and on Twitter via @gadjosevilla). While traditionally a developer-focused event dealing with iOS and Mac OS as well as iCloud, it seems that this year might bring some big surprises. Here's why.

This is Apple CEO Tim Cook's first WWDC as head honcho and it is also timed just before the back to school buying season. Cook will want to kick off WWDC with a bang and have focus on where Apple is headed.

Apple no longer participates in Macworld, opting to stage its own events for announcements and WWDC is as good as any to introduce not just software but some hardware as well (specially if you want developers to create for that new hardware).

Tim Cook has also alluded to a big year in terms of products and innovations from Apple. During the new iPad launch event in March, Cook said that there would be a lot to look forward to in 2012 and as we're reaching the halfway point, the time is ripe for some announcements.

Then there's the reality that a number of Apple products are ready for revision specially in the desktop and MacBook Pro lines. Intel's new Ivy Bridge processors are good to go (other PC makers have already released models using these chips). We've seen some purported leaks showing new product SKUs  and it seems you can't buy any MacBook Pros until June 13.

Finally there's history. A number of notablet Apple launches have taken place during WWDC's in the past. Here are just a few.

The iPhone. iPod Touch, iPhone 3G, Mac Pro, iPhone 4 are just some of the products that were revealed during WWDC in the past.

My Predictions 

Here are some predictions and what I think Apple will reveal next week.

Software

Being WWDC the focus will be on software. iOS 6 and OS X Mountain Lion will be covered extensively as well as new features and iCloud integration.

• It is no secret that Apple is working on its own Maps solution that will rival Google's which will likely affect anything in the Apple ecosystem that has any Maps involved. Developers will now have to choose whether to link to Apple's maps or Googles (unless Apple make that choice for them and has them default to Apple Map API's).
• iOS 6 is likely going to be a significant revision with improved features like universal Siri for iPad and for iPhone, iPod Touch.
• I expect Siri to come out of beta or at least demonstrate an expanded feature set as well as improve the non-US location performance (likely tied in to the maps aspect).
• There will be iOS gaming demos and they will likely be impressive. 
• AirPlay will get some added functionality perhaps the ability to use iPhones and iPads as controllers for apps on Apple TV.
• I expect some Bluetooth 4 and NFC (Near Field Communication) solution announcements or support.
• Some definite Retina Display announcements 
• A wild idea but maybe a demo of Microsoft Office for iPad plus an announcement of a release date close to the back to school season.
• Some new iOS featrues that will probably not work on the iPhone 4 or earlier Apple A4 powered devices (it is about that time).
• Updates on iAds, Game Centre and Ping
• Some peer-to-peer sneakernet solution for iOS users to share files like AirDrop but for iOS devices.
• Updates and improvement to iCloud.
• Mountain Lion shipping date to be announced.
• Mountain Lion will take on more of iOS's characteristics and be more iCloud connected.

Hardware

While it is unusual for Apple to reveal a lot of hardware at WWDC, I feel this year is different. A lot of products are pending refreshes (most of the computers) and some functionality is tied in to the OS. Here are some kep prediction on the hardware side.

• Next iPhone - A longshot but there are already a lot of alleged part leaks   all point to a major iPhone refresh. iPhone announcements and WWDC have a long and storied history together so while no phones will be available until September, we might see an all new iPhone as soon as now.
• AppleTV app strategy - This just makes sense and the timing is quite good. The ability to run apps from iOS devices on the AppleTV might be a good intermediate step before an Apple branded all-in-one HDTV is revealed.
• New Macbooks - Intel's Ivy Bridge processors are available and would be perfect for refreshed MacBook Pros and possibly MacBook Airs. New, slimmed down form factors are expected bringing the MacBook Air's thin, unibody design and features across the line.
• Retina displays all around at least in the portable line.
• New Mac Pros are expected as these haven't been refreshed in ages.
• USB 3 as well as Thunderbold ports all around.

 Come back on June 11th for our full coverage of WWDC where we will what Apple has in store.

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Gadjo Sevilla has covered Apple's business and products for over 15 years. The Apple Beat is a regular opinion column focusing on the latest Apple news, products and personalities.