Apple announced the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) this year from June 10 to 14.- The first-ever developers' conference from Apple took place in August 1983.
- For tech enthusiasts, this event is considered a mecca for cutting-edge consumer tech updates and ideas.
This year, the event is particularly exciting, with expectations of updates across several Apple products. There are the usual suspects, iPhone, Macbook and iPad. But, this time we also have the Vision Pro, expecting its first serious update. And no spoilers — Artificial Intelligence will be the focus of discussion this year. You can read more about the expected updates this year here.
While we wait to see what unfolds in June, here’s a trip down history and a look back at some of the major announcements from 1983 to 2023.
WWDC has gone through a fair share of name changes since it started back in 1983. In the beginning, it was called the Apple Independent Software Developers Conference (AISDC). This was the era of John Sculley being the CEO of Apple Computers. This conference is most famous for Steve Jobs introducing Lisa, an upgrade to the Apple II computer promising creative democracy to the users.
Post this we had three more name changes.
And finally, Apple landed on the name WWDC in 1990, which it has retained over the next 25 years!
Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) has been a platform for major announcements since 1990. Here are some key highlights across those years.
It was a decade preceding the dot-com bubble, and hardware innovations took centre stage at Apple's WWDC in the vibrant 1990s.
In 1991, the conference heralded a new dawn for personal computers with the introduction of a more user-friendly interface for Macintosh computers, setting the stage for a more intuitive computing experience. However, it was the seismic shift to PowerPC processors in 1994 that truly revolutionised Apple's hardware landscape. Breaking away from Motorola chips, this new architecture promised unparalleled performance and paved the way for a new era of computing prowess.
Amidst the hardware fervour, WWDC introduced Copland in 1996, touted as the next-generation operating system that aimed for convergence between Mac and Newton devices. However, despite early promise, Copland was soon cancelled in the same year and Apple started looking at outside OS.
In the early 2000s, Apple's WWDC became the epicentre of groundbreaking innovations that shaped the digital landscape. In 2000, the unveiling of Mac OS X heralded a new era of computing excellence, as Apple embraced the power of Unix to deliver a next-generation operating system. This was a significant step forward for Mac, and it was the time when Firewire, later a lighting cable, was introduced in the market.
The dawn of 2001 brought forth another game-changing revelation: iTunes. This revolutionary software not only revolutionised digital music management and playback but also emerged as a powerful tool in the fight against piracy. With iTunes, Apple not only transformed the way we listen to music but also catapulted the sales of iPods to new heights, ushering in an era of portable music enjoyment like never before.
However, the pinnacle of Apple's innovation came in 2007 with the release of its first-ever iPhone in what could be termed a technological renaissance in the consumer markets. And yes, before Apple made separate events for iPhones, the home for the first iPhone was WWDC — a groundbreaking moment that would redefine mobile communication and computing.
Just a year later, in 2008, WWDC saw the introduction of the App Store, opening doors to a new era of mobile applications and forever reshaping the digital landscape. Together, these seminal moments exemplify the unparalleled legacy of innovation that defines Apple's WWDC, marking it as a beacon of technological progress and visionary thinking.
In 2010, the iPad created a new device category, the tablet! It aimed at bridging the gap between phone and computer. This was a surprising move by Apple since Steve Jobs had mentioned multiple times that they would never enter the tablet space.
Long before the dawn of artificial intelligence in the consumer market, Apple's intelligent virtual assistant, Siri, was launched in 2011. Coincidentally, 13 years later this year, we are expecting major changes in Siri with the possible integration with Open AI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini.
The year 2014 saw the launch of Apple Watch and Apple Pay — a smartwatch focused on health and fitness tracking and a mobile payment system for secure contactless transactions. The Apple Watch can be considered the first major move in creating the walled garden of the Apple ecosystem. While we are still waiting for Apple Pay in India, this tool is used extensively abroad, working efficiently with both iPhone and Apple Watch.
In 2015, Apple introduced native apps for the Apple Watch with WatchOS 2, transforming it into a miniature iPhone on the wrist. With the addition of cellular connectivity in 2017, Apple's wearable was liberated from the confines of iPhones. The introduction of fall detection and the ECG app in 2018 underscored Apple's commitment to health and safety features, with them credited with saving lives.
In 2020, Apple introduced the M1 chip, its own processor marking a significant shift in performance and power efficiency for Macs. This marked the beginning of the end for Apple's association with Intel. It’s 2024 now, and we have M3 chips in action, with the entire Macbook line-up being powered by M series chips.
On the iOS front, the release of iOS 7 in 2013 marked a significant visual overhaul, while the introduction of App Widgets in 2020 fulfilled a long-standing user request, empowering users to personalize their iPhone experience like never before. In 2015, Apple Music made an important pivot to digital streaming.
AirPods, introduced in WWDC 2016, became a runaway success. This wireless earbuds innovation started an entirely new market, and today we stand on Airpods 3 and even AirPods Max.
Last, but not least, Apple Vision Pro was announced last year at WWDC 2023. This mixed-reality headset is now in the market and the reviews have been polarising, to say the least. However, my experience with it at MWC this year was fairly good, it felt comfortable and inclusive. Point to note, it's not available in India yet.
Overall, WWDC has been the epicentre of consumer tech innovation, and an event every tech enthusiast looks forward to eagerly. As the excitement builds around the upcoming event in June, stay tuned to Business Insider India for all the updates around tech and business!
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