Cupertino giant Apple began their annual event, World Wide Developer Conference today. Due to COVID-19, the event was held entirely online and with social distance guidelines taking into account. Usually their keynotes highlights the progress from the past year and announce the new updates that’ll be coming to their products. Starting off, we’ll dive into the mobile operating systems.
iOS 14 is receiving a new design change. Instead of a separate screen that the widgets formerly held. They’re now being placed into the home screen itself. Yes, it reflects in a way of what Android has been going on for years. Why not join the party? Another change coming is an App Library which improves and expands what a folder feature did. Apple’s Messages is also getting updated by prioritizing conversations that the user wants. Another new feature is App Clips, which pretty much lets the lazy and multi-taskers easily tap buttons that previously required more than that. Call UI is being reduced to just a simple bar that doesn’t take a lot of screen space. Maps is getting more features such as directions for cycling and also electric vehicle charging. Translation can be activated in landscape mode and off they go with several languages ready to be used. Shockingly, Siri is also no longer cluttering the screen except with a simple icon at the bottom center. HomeKit is now Home, with automation feature have more control to owners more access to their preferred routines. Safari gets updated with a translation feature, more performance and privacy. iPhones will have the ability to unlock cars as a key, it’ll be in the wallet and also can be shared. AirPods on iOS 14 is getting updated to use Spatial Audio and other quality of life features. Lastly, another feature that Android users had for years is picture in picture display. Apple users will have the feature and be able to multi-task effectively. Recap:
- Widgets on home screen
- App Library that improves and expands folders
- Messages getting prioritized conversations
- App Clips speeds and saves time with just a button
- Call UI no longer takes up the whole screen
- Maps featuring new directions such as cycling and EVs
- Translation works with 11 languages for ease of use
- Siri reduces screen space with a simple logo
- Home brings in automation with HomeKit accessories
- Safari gets updated with translation, performance and privacy
- CarPlay is update and iPhone devices can be used as car keys
- AirPods update allows surround sound audio and more
- Picture in Picture mode for video or FaceTime calls.
iPadOS 14 is receiving new features on top of what iOS 14 is getting. Featuring Scribble, Apple’s intelligent software that detects the users handwriting then converts it into text. It can also detect different languages in the same input and converts them as well. With said handwriting, you can also copy and paste them as text. You can also just use touch to highlight your selection without having to long-press. More control is being added to allow users to have on a single screen. Pretty much like a computer with several menus but with Apple’s design to minimize the clutter. Search feature is being cleaned up to speed up finding what the user wants. Recap:
- Scribble allows users to handwrite and it gets recognized
- Ease of use with Scribble that can be converted to text or copy and pasted
- With simple touch gestures to highlight Scribble or other selections
- Optimized screen space that is pretty much the highlight for iPadOS 14
watchOS 7 is coming soon. Along with it is new and custom watch faces. Allowing app developers and anyone else to create their versions to share. Giving them the power to keep track of what matters to them. Sleep is getting updated to track the user with newer stats. More exercises is being added that’ll be recognized by the watch. Due to COVID-19 and humans being gross, the watch will also keep track on your handwashing habits by timing you.
- New and customizable watch faces that’s shareable anywhere
- Sleep getting updated with more stats
- More exercises the watch will be able to recognize
- Greasy stinky hands begone, watch will time your handwashing
MacOS Big Sur is the name for the upcoming update. This year is all pretty much new design updates. Big Sur is bringing a minimalist design to the Macs. Bringing some of the new features coming from iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 such as Messages and Maps. Such as a control center that is featured on the iOS and iPadOS devices, allowing Mac users to quickly switch settings. Apple is pushing for privacy in their Mac’s Safari browser and bringing more customization for them. Similar to iOS 14’s Safari translation, it’ll also come to Mac. Allowing users to easily translate the web page’s text. Recap:
- New minimalist design language reflected from iOS and iPadOS devices
- Control Center coming to the Mac for ease of use for settings
- Features coming from iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 such as Maps and Messages
- Safari is getting updated for privacy, customization and translation
Source: Apple
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