Apple prepares McEnery Convention Center for WWDC 2018 [u]

Posted:
in General Discussion edited May 2018
Preparations are underway for next week's Worldwide Developers Conference, as Apple on Wednesday began the process of installing banners, flags, signage and other decorations at the main venue that will host this year's event.


WWDC 2018 preparations at McEnery Convention Center. | Source: Twitter user NatashaTheRobot


As it did last year, Apple is quickly transforming San Jose's McEnery Convention Center into a mecca for developers, and attendees in town for the gathering are posting pictures of the venue to social media outlets like Instagram and Twitter.

Like WWDC 2017, Apple is emblazoning McEnery's entire front facade with artwork reflecting WWDC 2018 media first seen a March announcement. The design, which features a series of three-dimensional graphical user interface assets floating above a white pegboard, has been used in subsequent email correspondence, a dedicated WWDC webpage and iOS companion app.

Along with building signage, workers are hanging posters inside the convention center and flags on nearby street light posts.

Akin to last year's conference, McEnery Convention Center will act as the hub of operations for developers visiting San Jose to take part in WWDC activities. There, attendees will be able to access technology sessions and labs run by Apple engineers, consult with key company personnel, attend special guest speaker presentations and more.

WWDC spills over into the surrounding area, with at least one session, a workout bootcamp led by Kayla Itsines, scheduled to take place in the City National Civic theater located across the street from McEnery.

Photos of the setup from AppleInsider reader Kenny:



Apple is primed to unveil a host of new software technologies at WWDC 2018, highlighted by a next-generation "iOS 12" operating system for its flagship iPhone devices. Updates to the company's core platforms -- macOS, watchOS and tvOS -- are also expected, as are announcements related to frameworks covering health, artificial intelligence, augmented reality and more.

While WWDC is not designed to serve as a launch platform for new hardware, Apple has in the past leveraged the event to introduce products. In 2017, for example, the company debuted the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, iMac Pro and HomePod alongside spec bumps to the MacBook and iMac lines. This year, rumors suggest Apple is planning to limit announcements to a refreshed MacBook lineup.

For a full rundown of what to expect, make sure to check out AppleInsider's deep dive into Apple's product roadmap.

AppleInsider will be on the ground at WWDC 2018 next week offering live coverage of the keynote event and ensuing presentations. Make sure to follow us on Twitter @appleinsider and Facebook for the latest news.





Updated with additional photos of the venue.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 9
    dunksdunks Posts: 1,254member
    The graphics suggest to me ARKit announcements.
    SpamSandwich
  • Reply 2 of 9
    dunks said:
    The graphics suggest to me ARKit announcements.
    If you’re right I hope it’s something worthwhile. So far AR (in general) is somewhat of a dud. While the technology is cool it currently isnt particularly useful. If you’re looking for furniture I guess it can be handy “placing it” in your room but other than that there seem to be a few lame games and not much else. 

    By the way, after WWDC 2017, when I questioned the usefulness of what was shown and how it would be implemented other than with some gee-whiz, that’s kinda neat way I was (not literally) kicked to the curb as being a hater, told not to “crap on it” before developers could get their hands on it and other such remarks. Here we are, almost a year later and AR is still waiting for it’s day. 

    Maybe something more compelling will come out this year. Maybe “the developers” will figure out something useful. I hope so, because it seems like there’s potential in it. Maybe it’s just not gonna to happen with a phone or iPad. 
    [Deleted User]
  • Reply 3 of 9
    bestkeptsecretbestkeptsecret Posts: 4,265member

    The Apple TV has updated the Apple Events app to reflect WWDC 2018. However, there is also a dedicated WWDC 2018 app on the Apple TV.

    Besides the fact that I can choose past Apple Events using the Apple Events app, is there any difference between the 2?

    watto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 9
    asciiascii Posts: 5,936member
    Nice work on the video, lots of things I had forgotten about such as the wireless charging AirPods.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 9
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,718member
    Why didn't Apple build a facility into the Spaceship for such events I wonder, or did they and not using it.  I assume the Steve Jobs Auditorium isn't large enough?


    watto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 9
    MacPro said:
    Why didn't Apple build a facility into the Spaceship for such events I wonder, or did they and not using it.  I assume the Steve Jobs Auditorium isn't large enough?


    If I remember correctly (questionable), the Steve Jobs Auditorium has a 1000 person capacity. 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 9
    macxpressmacxpress Posts: 5,801member
    MacPro said:
    Why didn't Apple build a facility into the Spaceship for such events I wonder, or did they and not using it.  I assume the Steve Jobs Auditorium isn't large enough?


    This is once a year that they need a venue this large. I don't think they wanted another building for just a once a year thing. I suppose it could be used for other Apple events, but the 1,000 seat Steve Jobs Theatre is enough for other Apple events. Other than WWDC, Apple doesn't do conventions so it doesn't need this much space all the time. Its literally right down the road from them so for once a year this works out nicely for them.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 9
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,718member
    macxpress said:
    MacPro said:
    Why didn't Apple build a facility into the Spaceship for such events I wonder, or did they and not using it.  I assume the Steve Jobs Auditorium isn't large enough?


    This is once a year that they need a venue this large. I don't think they wanted another building for just a once a year thing. I suppose it could be used for other Apple events, but the 1,000 seat Steve Jobs Theatre is enough for other Apple events. Other than WWDC, Apple doesn't do conventions so it doesn't need this much space all the time. Its literally right down the road from them so for once a year this works out nicely for them.
    Ok thanks, that makes sense.   
  • Reply 9 of 9
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    dunks said:
    The graphics suggest to me ARKit announcements.
    If you’re right I hope it’s something worthwhile. So far AR (in general) is somewhat of a dud. While the technology is cool it currently isnt particularly useful. If you’re looking for furniture I guess it can be handy “placing it” in your room but other than that there seem to be a few lame games and not much else. 

    By the way, after WWDC 2017, when I questioned the usefulness of what was shown and how it would be implemented other than with some gee-whiz, that’s kinda neat way I was (not literally) kicked to the curb as being a hater, told not to “crap on it” before developers could get their hands on it and other such remarks. Here we are, almost a year later and AR is still waiting for it’s day. 

    Maybe something more compelling will come out this year. Maybe “the developers” will figure out something useful. I hope so, because it seems like there’s potential in it. Maybe it’s just not gonna to happen with a phone or iPad. 
    Used in tandem with some kind of super-lightweight glasses, I could see AR being very helpful for product visualization, interactive games, even for providing people in home or retail spaces with the illusion that the space is architecturally or from an interior design perspective more interesting that it really is. One could also imagine the typical large screen television or computer being replaced with a virtual monitor and means of input.
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