Apple confirms WWDC public webcast on June 2

Computerworld - Apple today confirmed that it will webcast the keynote at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) next week.

In a brief update on the company's website, Apple noted that the keynote would be webcast. Apple has publicly broadcast the WWDC keynote on a regular basis, and done the same with other events where it has introduced major new products, such as last fall when it unveiled the iPad Air in October.

As was the case last year, Apple will limit the webcast to those using Safari on OS X or iOS, or through its Apple TV peripheral. Windows users will be out of luck unless they have a virtual machine running OS X.

In 2013, Apple waited until just hours before the WWDC keynote kicked off to confirm a webcast.

WWDC is closed to the public and reporters, although the latter are traditionally invited to take in the keynote.

That first two hours of the conference generates a tidal wave of news as Apple-centric bloggers, technology websites and mainstream media report on the carefully-staged presentation, which Apple uses to tout upcoming versions of iOS and OS X, unveil some new hardware and make other announcements.

Last year, for example, Apple used the keynote to show off the visual redesign of iOS, introduce iTunes Radio, its first stab at a streaming music service, and tease the new cylindrical Mac Pro.

Unless Apple dramatically deviates from its well-honed formula, it will preview a small number of new features in iOS 8 and OS X 10.10, announce that pre-release code of iOS will be available to developers that day, and introduce one or more new or refreshed Macs.

Those who believe that Apple has agreed to acquire Beats Electronics also anticipate an announcement of that deal during the keynote.

CEO Tim Cook has led the keynote the last two years, and should reprise his role next week. Other executives, including Craig Federighi, who heads OS X and iOS development; Eddy Cue, the lead on Internet software and services; and Philip Schiller, Apple's top marketing executive, will probably play supporting roles.

The WWDC keynote will start at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET) on Monday, June 2. The webcast should be available from Apple's home page as well as its events site.

Gregg Keizer covers Microsoft, security issues, Apple, Web browsers and general technology breaking news for Computerworld. Follow Gregg on Twitter at @gkeizer, on Google+ or subscribe to Gregg's RSS feed . His email address is gkeizer@computerworld.com.

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