Apple Announces WWDC 2019: What to Expect for Apps

May 23rd, 2019

Apple Announces WWDC 2019: What to Expect for Apps
David Quinn

by David Quinn

VP of Strategy & Partnerships at Gummicube, Inc.

Apple’s biggest event, WWDC, will begin on June 3rd, 2019 and run through the 7th. The annual developers conference, held at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, is set to include announcements for several new product features that app developers should be aware of. Knowing the upcoming features and updates will help developers prepare their apps and their App Store Optimization in advance so they’ll be ready when the changes go live.

What to Expect

During WWDC 2018, Apple announced iOS 12, along with updates for ARKit, Siri and App Store Connect. As such, many are suspecting that the 2019 event will feature the announcement of iOS 13, as well as new versions of macOS, tvOS and watchOS.

Apple often releases developer betas of the software shortly after its announcement, so developers can begin working with the new operating systems and updating their apps for them as soon as the event is over. A few weeks after the developer beta release, Apple typically releases a public beta, leading up to the final releases in September.

Given Apple’s recent release of TV+ and News+, along with the upcoming Apple Arcade, we can expect to hear more about those services. Apple Arcade, in particular, is still underway, so Apple may encourage game makers to participate in and contribute to the service.

Additionally, Apple has been tightening its restrictions on parental control and screen time apps, which developers of those apps have been seeing as anti-competitive behavior. Given the recent focus, it is possible that Apple’s own Screen Time feature will be seeing updates.

Following the trends from 2018, we can also expect further updates to its augmented reality functionality, virtual assistant, and so forth. The WWDC 2019 schedule hints that there will also be announcements for ReplayKit and HealthKit. If new hardware and devices are announced, it will be important to examine their capabilities and features.

What Developers Should Do

First and foremost, anyone not in attendance can watch the conference on Apple’s stream, which begins June 3rd at 10 AM. The keynote and major announcements will be shown on the stream, so users and developers alike can see what Apple is working on.

Once the new announcements are revealed, developers can access the beta and begin finding ways for their apps to incorporate the new features. Some apps may just require performance updates, while others may have new tools to incorporate and test with. While the new version of iOS may not be out for a few months, it’s important to start preparing early so you have time to test.

Following that, developers should look at their App Store Optimization and find ways these new updates can help. For instance, if there is an update to the augmented reality features, an AR mobile game may want to create new screenshots that showcase the enhanced visuals. If the update adds a new feature that users are searching for, app developers should update their app’s metadata and description to highlight it. If, for example, the announcement includes new Siri integrations, updating the description to talk about its uses with Siri can help find the app while searching for Siri-compatible apps and see how they work together.

To Conclude

Every change and announcement present a new opportunity for apps to grow and succeed on the App Store. WWDC 2019 will provide new updates that can create new opportunities and features for apps, so developers should pay close attention and be ready for what’s to come.

Once the keynote is over, you can check back with Gummicube. We’ll be providing coverage and a close look at how developers can utilize the new announcements into their apps and App Store Optimization strategies so they can excel in the App Store and make the most of every new change.

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