Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference Goes Virtual And Kicks Off This June

In lieu of a physical event likely due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Apple has confirmed that this year's Worldwide Developers Conference will be a virtual event and starts on Monday, June 22.

Apple said that WWDC20 will be streamed via the company's Apple Developer app and website, both of which can be accessed for free. You do not have to be a developer to get the app, though you will need one of Apple's devices--Apple TV, Apple Watch, iPad, or iPhone--to watch the event. No start time has been given, but this year's showcase will last for one week, presumably concluding on Monday, June 29.

Apple has not provided any details on what will be shown during WWDC20, but the company's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, Phil Schiller, said that more information will come "as we get closer to this exciting event."

In addition to WWDC20, Apple announced the Swift Student Challenge, "an opportunity for student developers to showcase their love of coding by creating their own Swift playground." Student developers will have until Sunday, May 17 at 11:59 PM PT to submit "an interactive scene in a Swift playground that can be experienced within three minutes." Winners will receive an exclusive WWDC20 jacket and pin set.

June was the month when E3 was supposed to be held before the organizers of the annual event, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), canceled it due to the coronavirus. A number of other in-person events have been canceled as well, including Evo, Gamescom, GDC, and more. Most, if not all, are shifting to online events.