Apple execs to keynote WWDC, issue final Snow Leopard preview

[AppleInsider]

Apple said Wednesday that a team of its top executives lead by worldwide marketing chief Phil Schiller will kick off its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) next month with a keynote address on Monday, June 8 at 10:00 a.m. that will showcase a final developer preview of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.

The opening keynote address has historically been delivered by Apple chief executive Steve Jobs, who announced in January that he was taking a six-month medical leave from his day-to-day leadership role at the company to recover from complex health issues that may have resulted from his otherwise successful bout with pancreatic cancer five years ago.

Apple executives have maintained that Jobs will return to the company in some capacity by the end of June. In the meantime, worldwide marketing chief Phil Schiller has been filling in for the company co-founder, delivering what was widely regarded as a successful keynote presentation at this year's Macworld Expo. Other members of Apple's top brass have also pitched in, like Senior Vice President iPhone Software Scott Forstall, who a couple of months later hosted a smaller media event on the company's Cupertino-based campus to preview iPhone Software 3.0.

Next month's WWDC is expected to showcase even more of Apple's top talent, who'll take turns updating attendees on the most recent advances in both Mac OS X and iPhone software. Among the execs expected to join Schiller on stage is Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering, Bertrand Serlet, who'll bring developers up to date on the company's plans for the upcoming release of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and deliver a feature complete beta of the operating systems to attendees.

"Last June, we gave developers an early look at the powerful new technologies that form the underpinnings of Mac OS X Snow Leopard," Serlet said. "At WWDC, we will be giving our developers a final Developer Preview release so they can see the incredible progress we've made on Snow Leopard and work with us as we move toward its final release."

As part of its ongoing coverage of Snow Leopard, AppleInsider had repeatedly noted that WWDC would see developers equipped with a feature-complete beta of the operating system, which may include some interface changes. People familiar with the matter have estimated that Apple will need roughly two months following the conference to bring the software to market, suggesting a release in the August time frame.

Snow Leopard and Mac technical sessions at WWDC will showcase the hundreds of refinements to the operating system and dive into its new technologies including a 64-bit architecture, QuickTime X, next-generation multicore and GPU processor support, and new accessibility technologies, according to Apple. Meanwhile, iPhone OS 3.0 technical sessions will reportedly cover introductory and advanced concepts to help developers get the most out of the iPhone OS 3.0 SDK and the more than 1,000 new APIs available for iPhone OS 3.0.

WWDC will also offer attendees the rare opportunity to work side-by-side with Apple engineers to solve code-level issues, gain insight into development techniques and get expert advice on interface design. Over 100 technical sessions will be presented by more than 1,000 Apple engineers. The conference is sold out.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[tetzel1517]

No Steve? It'll be interesting to see what the stock price does today.

But I sense a bit of wiggle room in what Apple is saying here. Perhaps Phil kicks off the speech, but Steve is this year's "one more thing"?

[cozagada]

I think the point is to show that the company runs fine without SJ and can deliver great products. It wouldn't make sense to see him return as the Messiah.

[cbw87]

I think the most significant thing is how they seem to be playing down the prospect of any surprises, very clearly outlining what to expect: could this be a move towards using WWDC keynotes more for developer news, suggesting perhaps that there'll be a special event later in June for the iPhone v.3? And maybe with Steve?

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Developer preview in June... This means at least a 2 year development cycle for 10.6...

[Stan_Timek]

This conference will be interesting - I and a bunch of folks have been waiting for updates of the pro apps (Final Cut Studio, Shake, etc.) I've been figuring that everything has been held back for Snow Leopard to be released and grab the spotlight. Hopefully things are going well and once QuickTime and the other core technologies get their updates we'll start to see some real activity on the apps! After all, the apps are what make US money.


Stan

spread the word about http://www.giftcardsfordinner.com and help those laid-off & now unemployed
(abandoned gift cards are valued at $10 Billion annually!)

[teckstud]

Schiller's cool- much better than Cook.
Too bad no Steve. Here's to wishing him a healthy return.

[KBeat]

So much for the hope of Snow Leopard this June. Final developer preview "as we work toward its final release" sounds a lot like a late Fall release if not later. I really hope they beat Windows 7 to market, but looks like it'll be close.

Of greater interest to me are the pro apps. Final Cut, Aperture, etc. are all in need of big updates to keep up with the competition. We'd heard rumors of something around NAB, but that came and went without a peep. This press release from Apple suggests that WWDC will similarly be without any news of Pro App updates.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by KBeat

So much for the hope of Snow Leopard this June. Final developer preview "as we work toward its final release" sounds a lot like a late Fall release if not later. I really hope they beat Windows 7 to market, but looks like it'll be close.

Fall has been the stated for a long time now. It's just not close to going Gold master yet. I'm guessing that the significance of the developer preview will be the UI changes that have been rumored. Why else give developers a preview when they've been able to get developer betas every couple weeks from Apple. WIn7 is apparently coming out "before December". I think Apple will beat them to market.

[tetzel1517]

Originally Posted by cbw87

I think the most significant thing is how they seem to be playing down the prospect of any surprises, very clearly outlining what to expect: could this be a move towards using WWDC keynotes more for developer news, suggesting perhaps that there'll be a special event later in June for the iPhone v.3? And maybe with Steve?

That seems plausible, especially since -- I now realize -- Apple has clearly said Steve won't be back until the end of June.

[PG4G]

Originally Posted by T'hain Esh Kelch

Developer preview in June... This means at least a 2 year development cycle for 10.6...

I'd say that they've been working on it since Leopard's release in late 2007 so yes it will be a 2 year development cycle or so... But don't think of this as a basic preview. This build will be the one of the final betas.

Developer previews are generally the releases that kick off the beta cycles. This is coming at the end of a beta cycle.

[GregAlexander]

Originally Posted by tetzel1517

No Steve? It'll be interesting to see what the stock price does today.

But I sense a bit of wiggle room in what Apple is saying here. Perhaps Phil kicks off the speech, but Steve is this year's "one more thing"?

Yeah, there's plenty of room:
"Apple said Wednesday that a team of its top executives ...."
I'd say Steve is one of its top executives.

Still, I like the idea of a number of Apple's top talent taking the stage.

[dagamer34]

I want some Bertrand Serlet (WWDC '06)!!!! Yeah!

[elroth]

Originally Posted by cbw87

I think the most significant thing is how they seem to be playing down the prospect of any surprises, very clearly outlining what to expect: could this be a move towards using WWDC keynotes more for developer news, suggesting perhaps that there'll be a special event later in June for the iPhone v.3? And maybe with Steve?

If they said there might be a surprise, then it wouldn't really be a surprise, now would it?

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by tetzel1517

That seems plausible, especially since -- I now realize -- Apple has clearly said Steve won't be back until the end of June.

I think he'll be there, but what I don't know is if Apple will be able to keep it under wraps until he steps out on stage, or at least until that morning. It would be good free publicity to have Jobs take the stage to introduce the new iPhone, which is Apple's number one cash cow.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by elroth

If they said there might be a surprise, then it wouldn't really be a surprise, now would it?

That is a good point.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by cozagada

I think the point is to show that the company runs fine without SJ and can deliver great products. It wouldn't make sense to see him return as the Messiah.

Speaking as part of a small team of new iPhone app developers, I can personally tell you that the entire process and the instructions provided by Apple on app creation are an out-of-control disaster. We have literally found dozens and dozens of errors, ranging from "smack me in the head stupid" to major blunders that have thrown roadblocks up to understanding the nature of Xcode and the UI kit. I'm absolutely shocked there are as many apps as there are, because Apple has really fallen down on the job in this area. Major, major improvements are needed.

[wobegon]

Exciting!

If Apple introduces a revamped UI with Snow Leopard at WWDC as is predicted, this will be the second time they've talked about under-the-hood technologies and then, the following year, shown off the UI when the OS is near ready to ship. They did the same with Leopard but it was stalled by iPhone development.

I think this strategy while good for developers, is more likely motivated by Microsoft or more specifically, an anticipation of Microsoft running to the copy machines. I love how Windows 7's taskbar resembles Panther's or Tiger's Dock. On that note, I wonder what SL's Dock will look like.

Anyway, I guess the only other news is the absense of Jobs, but that's not really a surprise as he's scheduled to return "at the end of June," which is approximately 7 weeks away. The more time to recoup, the better IMO.

Here's hoping we see something with a touch screen other than the next iPhone (which hopefully will also be unveiled). In addition, I'm crossing my fingers for Snow Leopard's UI—as well as any other changes they haven't yet disclosed—to bring iPhone caliber simplicity to the Mac.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

Speaking as part of a small team of new iPhone app developers, I can personally tell you that the entire process and the instructions provided by Apple on app creation are an out-of-control disaster. We have literally found dozens and dozens of errors, ranging from "smack me in the head stupid" to major blunders that have thrown roadblocks up to understanding the nature of Xcode and the UI kit. I'm absolutely shocked there are as many apps as there are, because Apple has really fallen down on the job in this area. Major, major improvements are needed.

The iPhone SDK and App Store are still very new. I'm surprised, and I think Apple is too, that it's grown this fast. But the company is still running well without Jobs, though I don't think he's been gone long enough or far enough out of the loop to make the statement that Cozagada did. Let's see how Apple does a year or two after Jobs is really gone.

[shadow]

Originally Posted by KBeat

So much for the hope of Snow Leopard this June. Final developer preview "as we work toward its final release" sounds a lot like a late Fall release if not later. I really hope they beat Windows 7 to market, but looks like it'll be close.

I was pretty sure that this is the case. The fact that Snow Leopard will not be released this June is good news for me. The fact that they say "a new Developer preview" instead of something between the lines of "the latest beta release" is even better. This gives a lot of credibility to the new UI rumor. As I mentioned in different thread, I hope that the new UI will bring resolution independence along the way. And the other way around: if Apple is working on new UI there are zero chances they will spend time patching the aging Aqua. So the sooner the UI change - the better.

The new UI would have lots of merits on it's own:

1. It will put to rest the "No new features" myth. The new UI alone will be the most significant change since Mac OS X introduction.
2. It will greatly increase the perceived advantage over Windows 7. The press spent a lot of time comparing Vista with Leopard and now, a couple of years later, Apple will look like puting on the table a completely revamped OS while Microsoft - an improved version of Vista. The real picture is not that simple because both companies are following different development cycles and even version strategies, but we are talking about the perceprion here (well, a bit oversimplified anyway).
3. We all hope that if there is a new design it will be better than the current one. I am pretty sure it will take some time to get used to. Also. I know it will be critisized for certain details, but I believe we will all like the refresh.

Regarding the timing, as far as SL is released in time for the Christmas shopping season, it does not matter whether it hits the market first or after Windows 7. The features of both OSes will be known by then and the press will be able to dance around. It better be stable and relatively bug free. Actually, this applies to both Apple and Microsoft. Neither shall rush the product out, just make it ready for Christmas. August or late November does not matter medium and long term. First or second does not matter either.

[shadow]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

Speaking as part of a small team of new iPhone app developers, I can personally tell you that the entire process and the instructions provided by Apple on app creation are an out-of-control disaster. We have literally found dozens and dozens of errors, ranging from "smack me in the head stupid" to major blunders that have thrown roadblocks up to understanding the nature of Xcode and the UI kit. I'm absolutely shocked there are as many apps as there are, because Apple has really fallen down on the job in this area. Major, major improvements are needed.

You haven't been with Apple during the 10.0 rollout, didn't you? You haven't been developing for Symbian or Android, didn't you?

[physguy]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

Speaking as part of a small team of new iPhone app developers, I can personally tell you that the entire process and the instructions provided by Apple on app creation are an out-of-control disaster. We have literally found dozens and dozens of errors, ranging from "smack me in the head stupid" to major blunders that have thrown roadblocks up to understanding the nature of Xcode and the UI kit. I'm absolutely shocked there are as many apps as there are, because Apple has really fallen down on the job in this area. Major, major improvements are needed.

I'd be curious (seriously) about some specifics. I started 3 weeks ago learning Obj-C from scratch (mostly C programming before with some object stuff in Python and javascript) using X-Code, Apple docs., and google (very important) and at this point I've got the Alpha version of my iphone app up an running. I'm waiting on Apple's dev license to come through to hook up to the camera and accel on a real phone but I thought the process was reasonably smooth. Note that I've been doing this in isolation (no one to talk with) so I'm surprised it's gone this quickly. Got the data model and views established and connected. Google was critical that that's always been the case on every new language I've done.

[tmizerek]

Originally Posted by tetzel1517

No Steve? It'll be interesting to see what the stock price does today.

But I sense a bit of wiggle room in what Apple is saying here. Perhaps Phil kicks off the speech, but Steve is this year's "one more thing"?

And then Steve comes out and introduces Sir Paul and Ringo to announce the Beatles catalog on iTunes.

[paxman]

Originally Posted by cozagada

I think the point is to show that the company runs fine without SJ and can deliver great products. It wouldn't make sense to see him return as the Messiah.

Exactly. No matter how much SJ's health improves he won't return to the stage. He may guest appear but it will never again be a solo act. It must be a huge weight of his, and everybody else's shoulders that the company has managed to move away from the 'one-man-show' thing. The prediction for years has been that the moment he steps away, Apple is finished. The jury is still out on that one of course, but without him on stage a lot of the pressure is off.

[Virgil-TB2]

Originally Posted by shadow

I was pretty sure that this is the case. ... This gives a lot of credibility to the new UI rumor(sic). ... I hope that the new UI will bring resolution independence along the way. ... The new UI alone will be the most significant change since Mac OS X introduction ... It will greatly increase the perceived advantage over Windows 7. ...

Where the heck are you getting this stuff from? Unless you are an inside developer (and currently breaking your NDA), there is no way that you can know this stuff with any assurance.

It sounds to me like you're just dreaming and spinning some kind of "I wish" scenario but stupidly phrasing it as if you actually know what's going on.

If you're going to just make crap up, what's the point of posting? On the other hand, if you actually know this to be true, why not post some screen shots of the fantastic new UI? Your NDA is already toast anyway.

[webfrasse]

Originally Posted by KBeat

So much for the hope of Snow Leopard this June. Final developer preview "as we work toward its final release" sounds a lot like a late Fall release if not later. I really hope they beat Windows 7 to market, but looks like it'll be close.

Or else...you'll switch to windows?

[ouragan]

The opening keynote address has historically been delivered by Apple chief executive Steve Jobs, who announced in January that he was taking a six-month medical leave from his day-to-day leadership role at the company to recover from complex health issues that may have resulted from his otherwise successful bout with pancreatic cancer five years ago.

Apple executives have maintained that Jobs will return to the company in some capacity by the end of June. In the meantime, worldwide marketing chief Phil Schiller has been filling in for the company co-founder, delivering what was widely regarded as a successful keynote presentation at this year's Macworld Expo.

While I wish Steve Jobs a long and peaceful retirement, I am convinced that he will never return to Apple as CEO and that the only reason he didn't announce his retirement "for medical reasons" is that he wanted his stock options to vest (to get more stock options because he stayed on as Apple CEO for a longer or the stated period).

The condition of Steve Jobs is so serious that he has been unable to discharge his duties as CEO since mid October 2008, a condition he has made official by taking a medical leave "until the end of June".

Unfortunately for him, Steve Jobs cannot recover his health overnight or over a 6 month period. His condition is too serious for that.

I wish Steve Jobs a long and peaceful retirement. May he get to enjoy his wealth and his family for a long time to come.

[wobegon]

Originally Posted by ouragan

While I wish Steve Jobs a long and peaceful retirement, I am convinced that he will never return to Apple as CEO

Psst, Steve Jobs never stopped being CEO. He's simply not in the building.

[Foo2]

Originally Posted by dagamer34

I want some Bertrand Serlet (WWDC '06)!!!! Yeah!

That would be Cirque du Serlet. Yeah, I could go for that, too.

btw: a 6 month hiatus for Jobs means July.

pps: Apple, we know you don't read these rumor sites, but for all the developers who can't make it to WWDC, let's get the preview into their hands a little faster than last time, okay?

[cozagada]

Why is everybody so excited about UI changes ? What makes you think there would be any ?
Apple has always said there would be no new features but under the hood improvements and there is already a lot to get me excited about.

[bugsnw]

First it was the 90s Apple. Now it's Steve Jobs himself. He's officially beleaguered.

We know what happened to Apple so maybe SJ will have a smashing comeback as well.

[justflybob]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

Speaking as part of a small team of new iPhone app developers, I can personally tell you that the entire process and the instructions provided by Apple on app creation are an out-of-control disaster. We have literally found dozens and dozens of errors, ranging from "smack me in the head stupid" to major blunders that have thrown roadblocks up to understanding the nature of Xcode and the UI kit. I'm absolutely shocked there are as many apps as there are, because Apple has really fallen down on the job in this area. Major, major improvements are needed.

Really? While I understand your obvious frustration, I still believe that overall they have done a pretty good job. Could it be improved? Absolutely. Is the information provided sometimes conflicting? Yes.

I have no doubt that many of us are new to this (iPhone Development), but that to me is what makes it so exciting. I am still blown away by the fact that I can click on live code and be taken to the exact section of the documentation that tells me how the (for example) UITableView class I want to use should be implemented, as well as the reasons why.

So, can you give us an example of what you are finding that is a disaster? It's not that I am challenging you here - it just hasn't been my experience at all.

As odd as my next comment might seem, please tell me that you are not using just the online (or downloaded) documentation as your only source? There are numerous books, videos and support groups out there that do a much better job of it. Especially when you are first attempting to get your head around all of it.

[Olternaut]

Wow.

They got away with a boring Macworld. I don't think though that they can get away with a boring WWDC because everybody is assuming that its going to be a hot show.
The competition is absolutely ready to debut their mobile products on or before June 8th to coincide with what everyone thinks will be the debut day for new Apple mobile products.

It will interesting to see if Apple will have a boring WWDC and they let the competition truly catch up and possible take a small lead.

[Nano_tube]

Steve is more fun to watch than schiller, but i prefer schiller - no reality distortion field.

[paxman]

Originally Posted by cozagada

Why is everybody so excited about UI changes ? What makes you think there would be any ?
Apple has always said there would be no new features but under the hood improvements and there is already a lot to get me excited about.

There have been several suggestions / rumors that a more unified (minimal) 'look' will be implemented with the release of SL. There are many tweaks that posters have been pining for for a long time. personally I'd like to see a better implemented finder.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by cozagada

Why is everybody so excited about UI changes ? What makes you think there would be any ?
Apple has always said there would be no new features but under the hood improvements and there is already a lot to get me excited about.

There are many reasons for Apple to make changes to the UI.

• They said no features but then went on to describe features.
• GC and OpenC are features, just not easily marketed features for re average person. Probably why they gave GC a cool marketing name.
• A UI change isn't much of a feature, it just a new skin. Something that Apple's marketing wizards will say is beeded to give proper cause for buying the new OS. People by and large like new shiny objects.
• There are rumours of a UI change called Marble.
• There has been so little change to the UI, despite changes in other places, that it would seem they are waiting until WWDC to woo us.
• MS has a much nicer looking, stable, and resource friendly OS--though not faster, surprisingly--coming out this year so it would stad to reason that Apple will not ship the same UI they have been using for 2 years on Leopard.

Many of us on this forum are excited about these under-the-hood changes, but we aren't exacly the norm.

[al_bundy]

Originally Posted by cozagada

Why is everybody so excited about UI changes ? What makes you think there would be any ?
Apple has always said there would be no new features but under the hood improvements and there is already a lot to get me excited about.

same story as windows

you can make a lot of changes under the hood but if the UI looks the same everyone asks what is different and why should they buy this. but if you make a few UI changes and nothing under the hood except marketing speak everyone will love the new OS

[wobegon]

Originally Posted by cozagada

Why is everybody so excited about UI changes ? What makes you think there would be any ?
Apple has always said there would be no new features but under the hood improvements and there is already a lot to get me excited about.

Uh, because Apple did the same thing when they released Leopard, which originally looked no different from Tiger, to developers. They said new features were coming, but only unveiled the UI when it was near completion.

In reality, there are new features coming in Snow Leopard, they're just under the hood. Apple knows the average computer user isn't going to appreciate such technical matters, only the resulting performance boost, thus the "no new features" wordage.

It's obvious Apple is moving away from Aqua and every release of Mac OS X has seen UI changes, however subtle they may be. Do you honestly think nothing will be tweaked at all?

I'm guessing in addition to the death of Aqua, we'll see influences from iTunes 8, Safari 4, and especially, the iPhone.

For instance, take Mac OS X's Menu Bar, which has remained largely unchanged since its introduction a decade ago. Now, how often do you miss it on the iPhone? What if they replace it with something more visual, like a universal button bar similar to the iWork apps? I find I rarely use the Menu Bar in Pages and Keynote because there are icons and pallet windows for most tasks, which are far more intuitive than mousing over the Menu Bar's text-heavy drop down lists.

Replacing the Menu Bar alone would be a significant change that wouldn't necessarily qualify as a "feature."

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by Nano_tube

Steve is more fun to watch than schiller, but i prefer schiller - no reality distortion field.

Naahhhh... Schiller is nowhere near the showman Steve was (is?)... Much, much prefer Jobs' presentations. He is a living legend in modern business (and not just because he says so).

[Dr Millmoss]

Originally Posted by solipsism

I think he'll be there, but what I don't know is if Apple will be able to keep it under wraps until he steps out on stage, or at least until that morning. It would be good free publicity to have Jobs take the stage to introduce the new iPhone, which is Apple's number one cash cow.

Only if his physical appearance has improved. If he still looks gaunt and weary, he's better off staying away.

Originally Posted by ouragan

Unfortunately for him, Steve Jobs cannot recover his health overnight or over a 6 month period. His condition is too serious for that.

I'm not a real doctor, but I do play one on the internet. Based on my inability to examine Steve or his medical records, and my complete lack of any medical knowledge, I can report that his condition is stable and improving, but may get rapidly worse or better in the immediate or distant future. He is expected to die, at some point over the next 50 years. He should take two aspirins and not call me in the morning.