Apple WWDC 2026: Keynote with AI focus on June 8

With the invitation of media representatives and influencers, Apple has now made it official: On Monday, June 8, at 7 p.m. Central European Time, the developer conference WWDC will open with a keynote – presumably in the usual way with a video film that will be streamed live. At Apple Park, the headquarters of the iPhone manufacturer, selected developers, winners of the Swift Student Challenge, and invited media representatives can follow the film on a big screen.

In the keynote, Apple traditionally presents new software versions for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Co. – this year with a special focus on AI functions and new developer tools. It is eagerly awaited how things will proceed with the voice assistant Siri. Apple has entered into an AI cooperation with Google. The AI language model Gemini is to serve Apple in the future –, but how exactly and with what data protection concept are just two of the questions that observers expect answers to at WWDC. The further development of the liquid glass design will also certainly be a topic.

Around 1000 developers at Apple Park

Following the keynote, the Platforms State of the Union will take place at 10 p.m. CEST, which is specifically aimed at developers and presents new APIs, frameworks, and technologies. Both events will be streamed live – the keynote via the Apple website, the Apple TV app, and the Apple YouTube channel, the State of the Union via the Apple Developer app, the developer website, and the Apple Developer YouTube channel.

Throughout the conference week, more than 100 video sessions will be available, in which Apple engineers and designers provide insights into tools, technology, and design principles. The program is supplemented by so-called Group Labs; these are live moderated online presentations with a question-and-answer format on topics such as Apple Intelligence, developer tools, graphics, and machine learning.

Around 1000 developers, designers, and students are invited to the in-person event on June 8 at Apple Park. The 350 winners of the Swift Student Challenge will also be there, including 50 so-called Distinguished Winners who have been invited to a three-day program in Cupertino. Two of them come from Germany.

Design Award: German developer among finalists

In parallel, Apple has announced the 36 finalists for the Apple Design Awards, divided into categories such as innovation, interaction, inclusion, and social impact. Among them is German developer Leo Mehlig with his company Unorderly, whose daily planning app Structured is among the finalists in the “Inclusivity” category. Structured was also previously among the finalists for the App Store Award.

heise online will be present at the event at Apple Park and will report in the usual way in text, image, and sound.

(mki)