Apple has succeeded in creating a lot of buzz when it comes to its star product, the iPhone.  From rampant rumors of a third generation iPhone, to be reportedly announced this summer, to the formally revealed iPhone OS v3.0, the future of the iPhone is a very hot topic. 

The iPhone will be one of the biggest at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference which Apple has announced will be held June 8-12 in San Francisco.  Despite the slumping economy, and Apple's own sales struggles, the company expects over 5,000 developers to attend.  Apple will have 1,000 engineers on hand to assist these developers, it states.

While the iPhone OS v3.0 and the possible hardware updates that might accompany it will obviously be top in many developers' minds, another key focus of the conference will be development for Apple's upcoming version of OS X, Snow Leopard.

Expectations are high for the conference.  Not only will it define the direction that Apple's computer efforts are going in, but there are expectations of a big announcement thanks to last year's precedent.  Last year Apple founder and CEO Steve Jobs took the stage at the conference to personally announce the second generation iPhone, the iPhone 3G.  The device was an instant hit, selling over 6.9 million units in its first quarter on the market.

Will Mr. Jobs, currently on medical leave, make a surprise appearance for a special announcement this year?  A company spokesperson comments merely, "As you know Steve is on medical leave of absence and there's nothing further to say."