On Wednesday, April 25, Apple finally announced the dates for its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). This year's event will be held June 11-15 at San Francisco's Moscone West. Tickets to the WWDC 2012 sold out in less than two hours, although they cost $1,599. But don't expect to see iPhone 5 or anything close to it, at the event.

In previous years, Apple has used the WWDC conference as the launching point for two iPhones - the iPhone 3GS in 2009 and the iPhone 4 in 2010. Bearing this in mind, many Apple enthusiasts are eagerly expecting an iPhone 5 launch in June, at this year's WWDC.

Most experts, however, agree that an October launch for the next-generation iPhone seems more likely, and believe the WWDC 2012 will focus more on software rather than teasing a new product.

Apple has itself indicated that iPhone 5 debut does not feature in its WWDC plans. "We have a great WWDC planned this year and can't wait to share the latest news about iOS and OS X Mountain Lion with developers," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior VP of marketing, in a prepared statement. "The iOS platform has created an entirely new industry with fantastic opportunities for developers across the country and around the world."

Why and iPhone 5 Release in June is Unlikely

It's true that even if Apple was planning a big surprise, it wouldn't ruin it by giving away early hints. But there are other factors as well that make an iPhone release in June less likely. First of all, the iPhone 4S, Apple's current-generation phone, was not rolled out until October 2011. Releasing another phone just eight months later just does not seem like something Apple would do. Second, iPhone sales are surging, despite initial disappointment that the iPhone 4S is just a slightly improved model. On Tuesday, Apple announced that it sold 35.1 million iPhones during the first quarter of this year. With such impressive sales, Apple can afford to wait a little while longer before releasing a new iPhone.

Software-Based Event

In an interview with The Inquirer, Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi said she is expecting a software-based event, as a hardware announcement would steal all thunders. "We will see Mountain Lion and iOS 6 but I would also expect some additions/refinements to iCloud," Milanesi told The Inquirer.

Meanwhile, the president of Apple reseller and care specialist Michael Oh told eWeek that an iPhone launch at WWDC is possible, but not likely. "With the iPhone stuff, there is talk, and they are probably going to break their normal release cycle," Oh said. "Everybody's saying the new one is going to come out sooner. But I also see them doing it in its own event for the press and the impact."

VentureBeat's Sean Ludwig also agreed a WWDC release for the iPhone is unlikely. "Based on tempered expectations for the current quarter...it's unlikely the company would plan for an iPhone release this summer and will almost certainly shoot for a fall release," Ludwig wrote. "Instead, we expect WWDC to be a lot like last year, where software is in the spotlight."

What to Expect at WWDC 2012

Apple's 2012 Worldwide Developers conference will offer more than 100 technical sessions presented by Apple engineers, covering a range of topics for developing, deploying and integrating the latest iOS and OS X. This year's conference will also offer 100 hand-on labs, with over 1,000 Apple engineers to work directly with developers and offer code-level assistance, optimal development techniques and guidance to maximize iOS and iOS X technologies in their apps. Developers who were unable to snatch a ticket in time will be able to access and watch all technical sessions from the Apple Developer Website after the conference.

(reported by Alexandra Burlacu, edited by Surojit Chatterjee)