This article has been sat in the drafts folder for a couple of days, but a change today has pushed it into the open. The developers amongst you are probably all thinking the same thing, "when can I book my travel arrangement for the Worldwide Developers Conference this year?"
The answer as we all know is not yet, for reasons unknown Apple is withholding the dates of this years conference far later than usual. Causing confusion, annoyance and doubt amongst Mac, iPhone and new to the scene iPad developers.
Historically WWDC is held in June, although Apple has strayed from this path in the past, but with the event in June Apple has in the past fairly judiciously released the dates in March (except 2007):
- 2009: March 27 (June 8-12)
- 2008: March 14 (June 9 - 13)
- 2007: February 6 (June 11 - 15)
- 2006: March 23 (August 7 - 11)
- 2005: March 30 (June 6 - 10)
- 2004: March 15 (June 28 - July 2)
It is now getting on for late April and still no word from Apple, so last week I penned this article but then didn't run it, believing that Apple would announce dates this week and I also sought clarification from Apple on the matter.
No comment from Apple and still no dates.
It has been rumoured for a while that the next-generation iPhone will be released on June 22 at an event that isn't WWDC with rumours suggesting that Apple has reserved the Yerba Buena Center for Arts in San Francisco.
This week brought the addition of a small hint from Daring Fireball's John Gruber who in an article stated that WWDC would run in "early June".
Today a new development, several reports have begun appearing on Apple's "radar" system. For those not in the know this system is what developers use to report bugs, ask questions and seek clarification on matters. In most cases this is the only communication developers have with Apple engineers but more importantly Apple actively uses this system and uses it to help gauge how important a certain issue is (based on the number of "dupes").
The lack of WWDC dates is now right in Apple's sight and the frustration of developers is clear, expect a WWDC related announcement imminently.