March 23 (Reuters) - Apple ( AAPL ) said on Monday it

would host its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC)

online from June 8 to 12, showcasing updates across its

platform, including AI advancements and new software and

developer tools.

Developers and students will be invited to attend in person

at Apple Park on the opening day, the iPhone maker said in a

statement.

The presentations at Apple's ( AAPL ) last developers conference

focused more on incremental developments, including live

translations for phone calls, which improve everyday life rather

than the sweeping ambitions for AI that its rivals are

marketing.

Separately, Bloomberg News reported on Monday that Apple ( AAPL ) is

preparing to introduce advertising in its Maps app as part of a

wider push to grow its services revenue.

An announcement could come as early as this month, Bloomberg

News reported, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

Retailers and brands would be able to bid for ad slots against

search queries, similar to how advertising works in Google Maps.

Apple ( AAPL ) intends to launch ads inside Maps as early as this

summer, with the rollout spanning the iPhone, other devices and

web platforms, the report said.

The company did not immediately respond to a Reuters request

for comment.

Revenue from Apple's ( AAPL ) services segment, which includes Apple

Music, iCloud and other software, climbed to a record $30.01

billion in the first quarter, broadly in line with analysts'

expectations.