We are just two days away from Apple’s annual developer conference. WWDC 2020 is all set to happen in a first ever online-only format this year. However, that doesn’t mean there’s less to look forward to. If anything, we have quite a bit to see this year at WWDC. So, here’s everything we expect to hear from Apple at this year’s WWDC keynote.

This won’t be the first announcement by any means, but I’m putting this here because it is one of the most exciting ones. Apple will show off new features that will make their way to iPhones later this fall with iOS 14. We are expecting a whole bunch of new stuff. That includes new iMessage features, an AR app called ‘Gobi’, home screen changes, support for widgets, and much more.

iMessage is probably getting a bunch of interesting features this year. This includes a new typing indicator for group chats. So you will be able to see who is typing in a group. Right now, this doesn’t exist, so you can never know if someone is responding to a message you sent on a group.

There are also reports that the Find My app will get a new, highly useful feature. You will now be able to set alerts if a person doesn’t reach a specified place at a set time. This can be used to ensure that kids are reaching school on time, among a bunch of other use-cases.

iCloud Keychain Improvements

Apple is also making improvements to the iCloud Keychain. For those who don’t know, this is the built-in password manager that syncs across Apple devices. With iOS (iPhoneOS) 14, iCloud Keychain will start warning you if you are reusing your passwords across websites.

For iPads, the Apple Pencil will be getting some updates it seems. Majorly, you will now be able to use the Apple Pencil to write text in any text field. This means you can fill up forms by simply writing in them. Your iPad will automatically convert handwritten text into standard text before sending the form on its way.

Apple will release a developer beta of iOS 14 post the event, and a public beta should follow soon. However, the stable release for iOS 14 will only happen in the fall.

Last year, Apple released macOS 10.15 Catalina with a bunch of new features and changes. This year, the company will launch macOS 10.16. Not a lot is known about the upcoming version of macOS.

watchOS 7

Normally I’m not that excited about watchOS updates. However, since I have now started using an Apple Watch, I am rather hyped to see what Apple brings to the table for the Apple Watch.

tvOS 14

As far as operating systems are concerned, this is the last one on the list. tvOS 14 will be announced on stage at WWDC 2020. Similar to macOS 10.16, we don’t know much about this either. However, we do know that the Apple TV will get a Fitness app, similar to the one on iOS 14.

There are many rumours floating around the internet suggesting an iMac redesign. The iMac has not seen a design refresh since 2012, so it’s definitely in the cards. Reports suggest that Apple will move the iMac to a more bezel-less design, similar to the iPhone and iPad Pro. The new iMac is also rumoured to feature Face ID.

Other rumors suggest that Apple will use Intel’s new Comet Lake chipsets in the iMac. The computer might be launched in at least one 23-inch model. However, thanks to the reduced bezels, the size of this iMac will be almost the same as the current gen 21.5-inch iMac.

Apple has long been rumoured to start using its own ARM-based chips in Macs. Recent reports suggest that the company will finally announce a roadmap for the switch at WWDC 2020. Bloomberg is reporting that the company will unveil an ARM-chip for the Mac at the conference. However, that doesn’t mean we will get to see a Mac powered by the processor at the event. Apple is expected to launch the first ARM-based Mac sometime in 2021. 

Other Rumoured Hardware Announcements

While WWDC 2020 is all about software and developers, there are a lot of rumours suggesting hardware announcements as well.

The company might unveil the Tile-like AirTags at the event. Images found in the source code for iOS 13 suggest that AirTags will be small and round, and will be integrated with the Find My app. They will also use the Ultrawide Band chip on the iPhone 11 series for better location tracking. There are also rumours of an AR component to AirTags that will help you find lost objects using AR.

Apple is also rumoured to be working on its own headphones. Likely called the AirPods Studio, the headphones will join the AirPods lineup alongside the AirPods 2 and the AirPods Pro.

AirPower Charging Mat

I know what you’re thinking, AirPower was scrapped. That’s right. However, there are reports that the company is still working on a smaller charging mat that’s similar to the AirPower. Noted tipster Jon Prosser recently tweeted that ‘AirPower isn’t dead’. What’s more, reports coming out today suggest that the company has tested Apple Watch charging with the AirPower.

There are also rumours of a refreshed Apple TV in the works. The new Apple TV will likely feature the A12X Bionic chipset, new storage options, and a redesigned remote.

WWDC 2020 is the biggest developer event for Apple. The company almost always has something exciting to showcase at the event other than the usual software updates. Moreover, with this year’s event being completely online, the company might try some new tricks to make it more attractive for viewers and attendees. While the Keynote is always also streamed live, this year all the developer sessions are also being held in an online-only format. Let’s see what else Apple has planned for us at the event. We will be covering everything as it happens, so stay tuned.