Gearing up for Apple's WWDC: Don't forget about the apps
![zd-defaultauthor-sam-diaz.jpg](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/9f4a6924336160d99f56819272b4624a15380cef/2014/12/04/58676caf-7b70-11e4-9a74-d4ae52e95e57/zd-defaultauthor-sam-diaz.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&frame=1&height=192&width=192)
There's always a lot of speculation leading up to Apple events - and this year's worldwide developer's conference, which kicks off Monday in San Francisco, is no exception. For some time now, the buzz around this year's WWDC has been around a larger screen iPod Touch (think Tablet PC) and an upgrade to Mac OS X.
Also see: WWDC: Don't count Jobs out yet
But it's clear by the banners being hung in and around Moscone Center that applications for the iPhone and iPod Touch - the one segment of the business that Apple loves to showcase - will play a big role at the WWDC.
The image says it all - look at those icons floating around on this banner. It's no surprise that iPhone apps and the app store would have a large presence at the WWDC - after all, it is a conference for developers.
Back in April, Apple announced the one-billionth application download - though the company has yet to break out the number of paid apps downloaded, compared to free apps.
Say what you will about Apple and its closed-wall approach to development and approval of apps. It still doesn't change the fact that Apple changed the game with these apps and sent competitors - from RIM to Google - into copycat mode. Both Blackberry and Android phones both now have apps for their devices.