Apple is all set to release several software tools and Mac products in order to woo developers and consumers and thus slow the opposing momentum being created by software giants Google, Microsoft and even Facebook. Apple will use its WWDC conference as a platform to promote this new strategy. The conference which is scheduled to start in San Francisco today will see the debut of Macs with high def screens and also several new software advancements in the iPhone and the iPad (iOS 6, essentially).
Holding on to top spot in the electronics industry isn’t easy given the rising competition. Apple, with its super efficient inventory policy and a knack for encouraging the development of successful applications like Angry Birds, has clearly worked hard at remaining there. Microsoft is trying to catch up with the release of its highly anticipated Windows 8 while Google is holding its own conference next month and Facebook is increasing the ante through the launch of its own app store.
The battle for supremacy not only depends on the consumers’ choice but also which developer gets it right with the next big application. The reason behind the success of this industry is clear from the revenue generated by it. Apple’s app store alone is expected to cross revenues of $58 billion by the end of 2014.
Facebook is the latest player to join into the app race with its own app store. Google Play is not far behind Apple with a total of more than 500,000 apps. Microsoft has also been swift in recruiting developers to improve their own Windows Phone Marketplace. Apple is expected to offer a larger screen for the next iPhone and will thus urge developers to design apps for a bigger screen. Apple has also been rumoured to announce deep Facebook integration with iOS 6 which is expected to integrate the social platform in almost all parts of the new OS.
This event will also see CEO Tim Cook wooing many developers hoping to replicate the charisma that Jobs brought to the table. Developers will also look towards the betterment of Siri, Apple’s voice recognition software. Another notable announcement will be that of Apple’s own mapping software, which will replace Google Maps on its platform. Apple will also be looking to surge ahead of HP, its competitor in the computer market, with the announcement of several upgrades to its Macbook line.
