Apple has announced that its first-ever virtual WWDC will start on June 22 this year and that it will be free for all developers through its Developer app and Developer website. There’s also a new event this year, a Swift Student Challenge for young developers 13 and older.
We learned back in March that Apple would still hold WWDC this June but as a virtual event. However, it didn’t share an actual date.
Today Apple unveiled the June 22 start date for the online WWDC in a Newsroom post and gave a few more details on this year’s developer conference that’s being impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Going virtual this year means it’s the first time that the event is free for all developers. Traditionally, it’s a paid event for most attendees after submitting for tickets through a lottery system.
Another neat new event this year is a Swift Student Challenge for young developers of at least 13 years of age. Check out the full rules here, submissions are due by May 17.
SVP of Software Engineering Craig Federighi highlighted the importance of students at WWDC:
Apple’s SVP Phil Schiller shared positivity around the opportunity to take WWDC online:
Apple didn’t share specifics about how exactly the virtual WWDC will work beyond accessing it through its Developer app and website. Fortunately, the company still has a month and a half to figure out the logistics of converting everything to a digital format while preserving key elements of the WWDC experience.
Make sure to download the Developer app which is where Apple says it will give more event details sometime next month ahead of June 22.
