WWDC 2012: Everything you need to know

What will Tim Cook reveal about iOS 6, the iPhone 5 and Apple TV during his WWDC 2012 keynote? We investigate

Tim Cook will take the stage at WWDC 2012 later this evening (6pm GMT) to outline Apple’s aspirations for the remainder of the year and 2013.

Apple’s keynote speeches are always a big deal but what can we expect from Tim Cook and Apple later today?

Many believe iOS 6 will dominate proceedings, citing the iPhone 5’s imminent – yet still unknown – launch. Apple TV is also expected to feature heavily as well, although we’re pretty dubious about Apple’s actual HD TV, currently referred to iTV, making an appearance.

Beyond this there’s likely to be plenty of updates for key Apple services such as iCloud, Siri and iTunes, as well as the long-rumoured launch of OS X Mountain Lion and Apple iMac and MacBook PCs with Retina Displays – check out our sister site PC PRO for more on Apple’s PCs.

Why no HD TV iTV?
Many people have claimed that Apple will use WWDC 2012 to launch its now almost mythical iTV set. We’re not convinced, unfortunately, as this isn’t the way Apple tends to do things. Should Apple venture into the TV space it will only do so once it’s carved itself out a nice little niche for itself – one that it owns entirely and one that is extremely lucrative, just as it did with iOS.

Therefore we expect to see some big updates to the company’s existing Apple TV device, including changes to the UI, the introduction of developers onto the platform, and lots of content deals with big industry players. But no TV carrying the Apple logo.

Apple TV SDK
Getting the ball really rolling with Apple TV will require the support of developers, meaning an SDK for Apple TV is very likely to launch, as this would allow developers to create content, such as games and apps, that customers can use on their TV sets via their Apple TV hub.

That’s not to say that iTV isn’t coming. With Google and Samsung both releasing Smart TVs this year, the burgeoning TV space is certainly one that will be very active and fiercely competitive in the years to come. Content deals with TV stations and film studios will also be of paramount importance.

For this reason we think it is fairly logical to assume that Apple will perfect its TV proposition with its ultra-affordable Apple TV hub, gradually securing content deals and building up a base of applications and users before unveiling its own HD TV.