News

Apple channels Planet Earth to explain its developer conference

The great migration of developers to WWDC is akin to something from the animal kingdom.
The great migration of developers to WWDC is akin to something from the animal kingdom. The great migration of developers to WWDC is akin to something from the animal kingdom.

Apple knows developer conferences are strange things, and has made an amusing video to try to explain its annual gathering of technology diehards.

Using the setting as something similar to a great migration in the animal kingdom, and full of just as much unusual and fascinating behaviour, the tech giant opened its 2018 Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) with its own take on how the event unfolds, inspired by Planet Earth.

Loaded with amusing nods to various technology geek stereotypes, the video touches upon some of the biggest parts of the four-day conference, including the much-coveted developer jackets and rush to grab a seat when the conference doors open.

The God-like status Apple executive Craig Federighi holds among much of the community is also touched upon.

Much less of a public-facing event than its now traditional September event to unveil the latest iPhone, WWDC nonetheless is an important date in the technology calendar each year as the next versions of Apple’s various software platforms are unveiled.

This year’s keynote included the introduction of new Animoji as well as data privacy enhancements for users of the Safari web browser, 32-person group FaceTime calling and new exercise-tracking tools for the Apple Watch.