Apple confirms WWDC 2020 date as annual conference goes digital

Mark June 22 in your calendars now
Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering Craig Federighi speaks during the keynote address at WWDC 2019
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Amelia Heathman5 May 2020

Apple fans can breathe easy now: the tech giant has revealed its annual WWDC developer conference will go ahead in June, albeit virtually instead of at its Cupertino headquarters.

The conference, which is in its 31st year, is a mainstay for developers who use Apple’s platforms for their apps and games, with tickets always selling out for the main event weeks in advance.

However, due to the global lockdown measures, Apple will be holding the conference virtually this year, beginning June 22. All developers will be able to access the content free in the Apple Developer app and website.

Speaking about the new virtual conference, Apple’s senior VP of worldwide marketing Phil Schiller said: “WWDC20 will be our biggest yet, bringing together our global developer community of more than 23 million people in an unprecedented way for a week in June to learn about the future of Apple platforms. We can’t wait to meet online in June with the global developer community and share with them all of the new tools we’ve been working oh to help them create even more incredible apps and services.”

Around 6,000 people attend WWDC every year but this year's version will take place virtually ( BRITTANY HOSEA-SMALL / Contributor / Getty)
BRITTANY HOSEA-SMALL / Contributor / Getty

WWDC is notable because it’s the first time Apple unveils its next iOS, iPadOS and MacOS updates which will determine how a developer’s app works and looks on the iPhone, iPad and Mac. Last year, new additions to iOS 13 included dark mode for the first time and improved security updates such as the “log in with Apple” feature. At this year’s WWDC, Apple will be revealing details about iOS 14.

As part of the conference, Apple also invites student developers to apply to attend via its student scholarship programme. Last year, 350 students from 37 different countries won trips to WWDC as part of the programme, and this year is no different. Student developers are invited to apply by creating an interactive scene in a Swift playground that can be experienced within three minutes, using Apple’s coding language and app.

Craig Federighi, senior VP of software engineering, said: “As we look forward to WWDC 2020, although our gathering will be virtual this year, we want to recognise the creative contributions of our young developers from around the world. We can’t wait to see this next generation of innovative thinkers turn their ideas into a reality through the Swift Student Challenge.”

Students have until 7.59 am on May 18 to submit their interactive scene to Apple. Apple is going to throw in an exclusive WWDC20 jacket and pin set for the winners, as well as events and fun during the week-long event.

For non-developers and student winners, you can tune into the main WWDC conference Monday, June 22, via a live stream on Apple’s website. We’ll update this page nearer the time with more information on WWDC 2020 as it comes out.

WWDC 2020 runs from Monday June 22 - to Friday June 26. Catch up on all the headline news at standard.co.uk/WWDC

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