'Think Different' about iPad
Recent iPad sales have made it clear that Apple needs to think different about its iPad line. Yes, it's the best tablet on sale, but its sales are being "cannibalized."
Those are Apple CEO Tim Cook's words, noting that the bigger iPhone 6 Plus and smaller 12-inch new MacBook are stealing sales away from the 9.7-inch slate.
Apple can do two things to reinvigorate its iPads. First, it could very well use WWDC 2015 to unveil the iPad Pro. With specs like a 12.9-inch display, the larger iPad would be well suited for businesses and stores that need cash register replacements.
Second, iOS 9 could pave the way to more enterprise-ready features, with true multitasking and individual user profiles. Cook backs up this theory by saying, "I still am a big believer for iPad to play in a major way in enterprise."
New Macs?
Apple often reserves new Mac announcements for its Worldwide Developers Conference, but are there any new computers left to update?
The new Macbook and Force Touch-equipped 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina overshadowed the Apple Watch at its recent launch event in March.
Last month, the redesigned trackpad with haptic feedback came to the 15-inch MacBook Pro Retina and Apple introduced a new low-priced iMac with Retina 5K.
What's left? The MacBook Air may finally get a Retina screen or Force Touch trackpad, but it could cannibalize the new MacBook on one end and 13-inch Macbook Pro on the other.
Apple's mini tower, the Mac Pro, was announced in December 2013, but the company is often slower to update its desktop PCs with upgradeable parts. Mac Mini got a refresh in October 2014. Slim pickings to say the least.
It won't go away: iPod Touch rumours
The last time the iPod Touch was refreshed, it was being unveiled alongside the iPhone 5 in 2012 and marked the debut of the lightning port that everyone complained about at first.
That means the current iPod Touch 5G has dated specs: a 4-inch display, iPhone 4S-level A5 processor and 5-megapixel camera. It runs iOS 8, but can it handle iOS 9?
Apple has three possible directions with the iPod Touch: upgrade it at WWDC, upgrade it at its next iPhone event, likely in August or September, or axe it altogether when iOS 9 arrives.
Yes, everyone's focus is on the new iPhone, but the desire for an iPod Touch 6G has a cult following, one that doesn't need a monthly carrier fee to access their favourite apps.
iPhone 6S tease
Don't expect Apple to debut the iPhone 6S at its Worldwide Developer Conference. The 4.7- and 5.5-inch smartphones are due for a refresh in September or as soon as August.
That doesn't mean the company won't throw out subtle hints as to what to expect from the new iPhone. Often times, the iOS beta software tips its hand to new hardware.
Things to look out for include Force Touch, a DSLR-quality camera, an Apple SIM card and double the RAM.
Smaller-fingered iPhone 5S users who have resisted upgrading to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus may be most excited about a potentially smaller iPhone 6C.
Apple WWDC wrap-up
Nothing about Apple's WWDC 2015 keynote is certain until the live streaming later today, June 8 at 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern and 6pm BST.
New Macs, the 12-inch iPad Pro, a new iPod Touch and iOS 9 are long shots at this point, but we could all be in for a "one more thing surprise."
More than anything, it's a software-focused conference, so iOS 8.4 and OS X 10.11 are natural shoo-ins. Exciting hardware like the new Apple TV may have to wait.
Apple shook up the smartphone market with the original iPhone, introduced the defining tablet with the iPad and is now outselling its competitors with the Apple Watch. It may do the same with television soon, just not with a flat-screen and just not at WWDC 2015.
