Apple Announces Its WWDC 2020 Lineup

Apple today said that WWDC20 will somehow be the biggest WWDC to date, despite being a virtual-only event.

“WWDC20 will bring together the global Apple developer community of more than 23 million in an unprecedented, virtual way, from June 22 to 26,” the Apple announcement notes. “Apple today shared the WWDC20 lineup, including keynote and Platforms State of the Union timing, and information on how developers can learn about the future of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS, and engage with Apple engineers.”

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The way they can do this is to pay up: Apple’s developer program costs $100 per year, and that’s the only way you can take part in WWDC, aside from the keynote address, which will stream live publicly. By contrast, Microsoft’s Build 2020 conference was entirely available to the public despite normally being a paid, in-person event.

Here’s what Apple is promising for WWDC20.

Special Event Keynote. Taking place on June 22 at 10 a.m. PDT, this keynote address will stream directly from Apple Park via apple.com, the Apple Developer app, the Apple Developer website, the Apple TV app, and YouTube, and will also be available for on-demand playback.

Platforms State of the Union. “Hear directly from Apple engineering leaders as they dive deeper into the latest advances across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS.”

100+ Engineering Sessions. “Developers will have the ability to learn how to build the next generation of apps with more than 100 technical and design-focused sessions helmed by Apple engineers.

All-New Apple Developer Forums. These new forums “will connect the developer community with more than 1,000 Apple engineers to answer questions and engage in technical discussions.

1-on-1 Developer Labs (by appointment). “Developers will be able to request an appointment with the Apple engineers who helped build the latest advances in Apple platforms, offering one-on-one technical guidance and in-depth details on how to implement new features.”

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Conversation 14 comments

  • brentcoco

    11 June, 2020 - 8:05 pm

    <p>Not really a "line-up" here. But the 22nd will be interesting.</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      12 June, 2020 - 9:02 am

      “Lineup” is both correct in that it is a word and, more to the point, is literally the word that Apple used.

  • lvthunder

    Premium Member
    11 June, 2020 - 8:11 pm

    <p>Having a developer account is to be expected. It's hard to be an Apple developer without one.</p>

    • wright_is

      Premium Member
      12 June, 2020 - 6:33 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#546089">In reply to lvthunder:</a></em></blockquote><p>Agreed. On Microsoft's platforms, anyone can be a developer. For Apple (and Google), you have to register as a developer to get access to their developer platform and access to events.</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      12 June, 2020 - 9:02 am

      It costs $100 a year.

      Android developer account is $0 per year. Microsoft developer account is $0 per year.

      • SvenJ

        12 June, 2020 - 1:45 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#546170"><em>In reply to paul-thurrott:</em></a><em> </em>Microsoft's used to cost, and Visual Studio was never cheap, though you can get VS Code now. You have to consider Apple is still trying to get a foothold in the industry.</blockquote><p><br></p>

        • wright_is

          Premium Member
          13 June, 2020 - 3:04 am

          <blockquote><em><a href="#546233">In reply to SvenJ:</a></em></blockquote><p>There is also Visual Studio Community Edition, but professional developers still have to fork out 4 figures for Visual Studio.</p>

  • retcable

    Premium Member
    12 June, 2020 - 8:21 am

    <p>I agree with your recent assessment, Paul, regarding these virtual events. Going forward, regardless of on-going pandemics, they will, and should be, the way these companies interact with their developers and users. Instead of having to fight for limited physical seats at these events, and pay the associated very expensive fees, anyone, regardless of where they are, can "attend" and participate. It's a win-win for all concerned. And as for the possible lone downside of not being able to have a one-on-one with someone from the company, those can still be done via Zoom or whatever. I see no major downsides to it at all other than the cities where these events are held will lose a little revenue from visitors.</p>

    • overseer

      12 June, 2020 - 10:29 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#546159">In reply to retcable:</a></em></blockquote><p>I completely agree. The value I usually got from the conferences came from being able to step away from work and immerse myself in a topic for a few days, as well as the Team building that came from having that shared experience and time away from the "normal" work with some coworkers. While I will miss those things, I still always felt the cost of the conferences was just not worth the return and could be delivered virtually much more efficiently. </p><p><br></p><p>Of course, the cult like aspects where you are sleep-deprived, over-stimulated and possibly drunk/hungover which allows their marketing to penetrate directly to the center of your brain will be missing. Might mean we will view a lot of the presentations with a more critical eye. </p>

  • dcdevito

    12 June, 2020 - 10:27 am

    <p>They should remove the $100/yr price tag, we already need a Mac to write apps for their deices anyway, such a dumb cost. </p>

    • SvenJ

      12 June, 2020 - 1:18 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#546193"><em>In reply to dcdevito:</em></a><em> </em>Then they could claim a lot more developers, like MS who can count anyone with a copy of NotePad.</blockquote><p><br></p>

  • olditpro2000

    Premium Member
    12 June, 2020 - 4:49 pm

    <p>Paul, where did you see that you have to be in the developer program to be able to do anything besides see the public keynote?</p><p>This is what I found on the WWDC site, which is hopefully true as it would be nice to be able to see some of the other sessions.</p><p><br></p><p><em>Requirements. Watching session videos and viewing related documentation and sample code is available to anyone. To request a lab appointment or to post questions for Apple engineers about WWDC20 content on the forums, you must be a member of the Apple Developer Program or Apple Developer Enterprise Program as of June 11, 2020 at 9 a.m. PDT, or a Swift Student Challenge winner. Your membership must be current, valid, and in good standing from this date until the end of WWDC20.</em></p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      14 June, 2020 - 7:38 am

      Yeah, I mention this in the post.

  • chaad_losan

    13 June, 2020 - 9:14 pm

    <p>Hipsters and Millennials need only apply.</p>

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