iOS 12 and macOS release date: Apple to reveal future of iPhone and other software at WWDC

The June conference is always Apple's biggest software event of the year

Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks on stage during Apple's annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in San Jose, California (REUTERS/Stephen Lam)

Apple will reveal the future of the iPhone and its other products at WWDC in June.

The company has announced its annual software conference will take place between 4 June and 9 June. The big event will happen on the first of those days: a major keynote presentation in which Apple executives reveal the latest versions of the software for the iPhone, iPad, Macs, Apple TV and other products.

Apple event suggested that updates could come to the latest of its products: the HomePod. Usually, every single one of Apple's products gets an update – though very few new products are usually revealed, the event serves as the launch for updates to its entire suite of software.

Last year, for instance, Apple unveiled iOS 11 and a range of other software. Much of the focus of the iPhone presentation, for instance, was on its new augmented reality features – which have gradually rolled out into apps and Apple's own products in the time since.

"Every year, WWDC provides an opportunity for millions of developers to learn more about how to create new experiences across Apple's platforms for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Mac and HomePod," it said in a statement. "A broad range of robust developer APIs — including SiriKit, HomeKit, HealthKit, GymKit, MusicKit, ResearchKit and Core ML — give developers new ways to help users take command of everything from their health and homes, to how they get around, shop and learn.

This time around, the features that Apple introduces might be a little more boring and stable than usual. The company is reported to be pursuing a strategy of slowing down the introduction of new features and instead focusing on ironing out bugs and improving performance.

Apple has stuck to a fairly consistent annual schedule for releasing the new software. It is unveiled at the conference at the beginning of June, when it is made available to developers; released as a public beta at the end of that month; then officially released in September, around the same time that the new flagship iPhone is launched.

Developers who want to attend the conference can now enter a ticket lottery that will run until 22 March and is available on the Apple developer website. Those who are successful will receive tickets to the event, which will take place at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose.

The company will also be offering scholarships to cover the costs of up to 350 students who want to attend. Applications to enter that programme can be found on another part of Apple's developer website.