Apple is kicking off its annual developers conference laying out the future of its software

FAN Editor

Apple CEO Tim Cook delivers the keynote address during Apple WWDC on June 8, 2015, in San Francisco.

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Apple is kicking off its annual Worldwide Developers Conference Monday with a keynote address at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. The company is expected to announce the latest version of its iOS software for iPhone and iPad at the San Jose-based event.

WWDC is where Apple typically pulls back the curtains on where its software is heading. The company has announced a new version of its iOS at WWDC every year since 2009, and analysts are expecting version 13 to be announced at Monday’s event. The new version is expected to come with a new dark mode and improved Mail, Health and iMessage apps, according to reports from Bloomberg and 9to5Mac. Apple is also expected to launch new Mac apps for Music, TV and Podcasts that could replace iTunes, according to Bloomberg.

Developers will be watching closely for signs of whether Apple’s iOS will eventually replace its operating system for Mac, or at least become the primary platform. At last year’s event, Apple said that it was not merging iOS with MacOS. But as Apple has shifted its focus into selling services to existing iPhone users as smartphone sales slim down, the mobile operating system has become increasingly more important.

While WWDC is mainly focused around software, it has occasionally announced new hardware like the HomePod smart speaker and the iMac Pro desktop. This year, it could unveil a new Mac Pro desktop computer aimed at professionals like its developer audience, thought it has not announced a timeline for that release.

In addition to its software and product announcements, Apple may touch on some competition concerns among its developers. The Supreme Court recently ruled that consumers could sue Apple for its 30% commission on app sales, which plaintiffs argued have led to inflated prices. To push back on antitrust scrutiny in the courts and from politicians like presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass, Apple recently launched a website that argues the App Store is not a monopoly. The site says its marketplace is “A store that welcomes competition.”

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

-CNBC’s Kif Leswing contributed to this report.

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