Google (GOOG, GOOGL) had its turn last week, with Google IO 2015. Next week, Apple (AAPL) and its plans for the next year are in the spotlight. WWDC — the company’s annual developer conference — opens with a keynote address on June 8.
In past years, Apple has used WWDC to launch new hardware including a new Intel (INTC) powered Mac Pro in 2006, the iPhone 4 in 2010 and the MacBook Pro with Retina Display in 2012.
What does the company have planned for WWDC 2015? We can count on seeing demos of the new iOS software that will power the next generation of iPhones, and a peek at OSX 10.11 is a lock.
Apple has already had a big year with the Apple Watch launch, but there are more new products and services in the pipeline.
Here’s a look at the most likely Apple reveals at WWDC 2015.
What to Expect at WWDC: New Apple TV Hardware
Apple had a big lead in the living room, and built the Apple TV into a billion dollar business.
However, after skipping updates to its Apple TV box for the past two years, it has watched competitors like Google’s Chromecast and the Amazon (AMZN) Fire TV explode in popularity.
WWDC is expected to be the event where the long-awaited new Apple TV hardware is finally unveiled. Expect a powerful A8 chip, increased storage, gaming capability (with an accompanying app store) and Siri voice control.
What to Expect at WWDC: Apple Television Service?
New Apple TV hardware may not be all AAPL reveals for the living room at WWDC. An accompanying content service also seemed to be on track.
The Wall Street Journal first broke the news that Apple was negotiating a streaming television deal with most of the major broadcast networks onboard. The service would offer 25 channels and cost somewhere in the $30 to $40 range.
If the web-based subscription TV service is ready for prime time — or even close — being shown off at WWDC 2015 on a new Apple TV set-top box seems like the perfect time for a reveal.
However, reports started showing up on Apple rumor sites yesterday, saying that the subscription TV service would be postponed because the required deals were still up in the air.
We’ll have to wait for June 8 for the definitive answer on this one.
What to Expect at WWDC: Apple Streaming Music Service
It has been a year since Apple bought Beats Music and Beats Electronics.
There’s no way Apple spent that kind of money just to get its hands on some headphones.
After a year during which iTunes music sales revenue has begun to slide, Apple has reportedly been hard at work rushing to ink deals with record labels.
The expectation is that the company will finally announce at WWDC that it will be rolling out a new Beats streaming music service — likely integrated into the next iOS and OS X releases — with a $9.99 monthly fee.
What to Expect at WWDC: New iOS and OS X Versions
As a developer’s conference, WWDC always features a look at the latest versions of Apple’s PC and mobile operating systems.
That means demos of iOS 9 and OSX 10.11 are on tap.
On the PC side, the expectation is that OSX 10.11 is going to focus on security improvements and stability.
The new iOS release may be more substantial. While Apple is said to be targeting compatibility with older devices with iOS 9, a number of new features are rumored. At WWDC we could see “Proactive,” a new context-sensitive competitor to Google Now and transit directions in Maps.
There is possibility we’ll see Force Touch in the new iOS release (to support the new hardware expected in the iPhone 6s) and there could even be split-screen support — something that would benefit the iPad Pro the company is reportedly working on.
What to Expect at WWDC: Apple Pay and HomeKit
Finally, two of the services Apple is looking to for future growth are expected to be in the WWDC spotlight.
Apple Pay has been a success so far, but with the recent announcements of Samsung (SSNLF) Pay and Google’s Android Pay, the mobile payment battle is about to heat up.
Apple is expected to sweeten the pot for Apple Pay users by introducing a rewards program, along with plans for expansion into Canada.
Meanwhile HomeKit — the home automation standard Apple unveiled at last year’s WWDC — hasn’t been officially launched yet. With the Apple Watch launch out of the way and third-party manufacturers beginning to offer HomeKit-compatible hardware, many expect WWDC 2015 to be the venue for Apple to officially launch its connect home platform.
The WWDC 2015 keynote starts at 10 AM Pacific Time on June 8. Check in with InvestorPlace immediately after for a wrap of all the Apple announcements.
As of this writing, Brad Moon did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.
