The latest versions of both OS X and iOS will be available to developers at this year's Worldwide Developers Conference, suggesting the event might showcase the next major version of Apple's Mac operating system in addition to iOS 7.
For years, WWDC has been where Apple has showcased the next major version of its iOS platform for iPhone and iPad. It's presumed that the 2013 conference will be no different, and will feature the unveiling of iOS 7.
But comments made by Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller in a press release issued by the company on Wednesday suggest that Apple could also unveil to developers OS X 10.9, the next version of the Mac operating system.
"We can’t wait to get new versions of iOS and OS X into (developers') hands at WWDC," Schiller was quoted as saying.
Last year, Apple unveiled the current major release of OS X, 10.8 Mountain Lion, in an uncharacteristically subdued way. Rather than holding an event, the company quietly showed the software to select members of the press, and announced the software was coming with a press release last February.
Schiller's comments suggest that OS X 10.9 may instead take the main stage at Apple's annual WWDC keynote, an event that kicks off the conference. The company announced on Wednesday that WWDC 2013 will take place from June 10 through 14 in San Francisco, and tickets will go on sale this Thursday at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern.
Traffic from systems running Apple's unannounced OS X 10.9 has been growing in the data logs of AppleInsider and other websites, suggesting the software is being actively tested by the company. But to date, there has been no public acknowledgement of an OS X 10.9 by Apple.