Apple WWDC 2022 will kick off on June 6, iOS 16 launch likely

WWDC is focused on Apple's software services, and this year we are likely to see the unveiling of iOS 16 as the next iPhone operating system, alongside new versions of iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.

Apple will kick off WWDC this year on June 6. This time again, Apple's annual developers' conference will be online-only, but the company will allow some developers and students to attend in-person sessions at the Apple Park in Cupertino. WWDC is focused on Apple's software services, and this year we are likely to see the unveiling of iOS 16 as the next iPhone operating system, alongside new versions of iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. Besides, rumours are rife that Apple may introduce realityOS this year as its first platform meant for the rumoured mixed reality headset.

“At its heart, WWDC has always been a forum to create connection and build community,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations and Enterprise and Education Marketing.

The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference will run through June 10 where developers and students from across the world will participate together to work on new software and apps engineered around the company's hardware products. Among them could be the next version of iOS, probably the iOS 16, which will bring new features and better security to the iPhone. The details, however, are scarce at the moment. Much like the iPhone, Apple's other hardware products, such as the iPad, Mac, Watch, and TV, are likely to get their new software iterations at the WWDC. It is worth noting that the stable builds of each operating system will arrive after the iPhone event in September this year.

While the software is the key focus of WWDC events every year, it is not always just about the software. Apple has a track record of unveiling hardware products at certain WWDC events. Rumours have suggested that this year's developers' conference may see the launch of new Macs, if not anything else in other product categories. Apple is expected to unveil a new M2 chip at WWDC, as well. The M2, which will likely be the successor to the M1, could power at least one MacBook, one iMac, and an iPad.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who is a credible source of information related to Apple, previously said that 2022 will be Apple's biggest year in terms of product launches. Since there are not many events Apple likes to hold throughout a year, chances are it will cram product launches as many as it could into its flagship events, such as WWDC. But otherwise, we could see Apple launch new features for its iPhone, iPad, and Mac to further increase the competition.