Apple announced today that the 2011 World Wide Developers Conference is set to kick off on June 6 at San Francisco’s Moscone West convention center. During the five-day conference, Apple says it will unveil “the future of iOS and Mac OS.”
In addition to those two big software announcements, Apple says the conference will debut “new kinds of apps that developers can build using Apple’s advanced frameworks, as well as “more than 100 technical sessions presented by Apple engineers.”
Apple says it also plans to host its Design Awards, which honor iPad, iPhone and Mac OS apps that the Cupertino, California, company believes show the best in “technical excellence, innovation and outstanding design.”
News of an iOS reveal at WWDC follows rumors out this weekend that the release of iOS 5 would be pushed back to the fall, with the WWDC update to iOS bringing cloud-based functionality to Apple’s mobile operating system. The fall iOS 5 rumor indicated that the next full version of iOS would accompany the release of the iPad 3.
Based on the products debuted at past WWDCs, it may seem assured the company will also unveil the next generation iPhone at this year’s conference. But according to analyst Michael Gartner who spoke with The Loop, Apple will not debut the iPhone 5 at WWDC 2011, instead opting to focus on software. (The company has unveiled its latest iPhone iteration at each WWDC since the launch of the iPhone 3G in 2008.)
“You get caught up in patterns, and it holds true, until it doesn’t,” Gartner tells The Loop. “There is no reason for Apple to follow a predictable yearly pattern, and it keeps their competition off guard a little bit.”
Like every other year, Apple has billed this year’s WWDC as a must-attend even for iOS app developers. But some devs have complained that the price to attend — $1,599 for a ticket, which doesn’t include the cost of hotel, airfare or other travel expenses — is prohibitive.
According to Apple, this year’s WWDC activities include:
• more than 100 technical sessions presented by Apple engineers on a wide range of technology-specific topics for developing, deploying and integrating the latest iOS and Mac OS technologies;
• over 1,000 Apple engineers providing developers with code-level assistance, insight into optimal development techniques, and guidance on how they can make the most of iOS and Mac OS technologies in their apps;
• the opportunity to connect with thousands of fellow iPad®, iPhone® and Mac developers from around the world; and
• Apple Design Awards which recognize iPad, iPhone and Mac apps that demonstrate technical excellence, innovation and outstanding design.
Updated at 11:00am EST with additional information
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