Today was the event for Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference in which software announcements are revealed. We learned about iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS Monterey, and watchOS 8! In addition to these announcements, the company also interacts with developers for the ecosystem which are the real reason for the event. Let’s breakdown what was revealed for each software update coming later this year:
iOS 15:
FaceTime is getting several updates, first of which to allow more sharing, hence the feature’s name is SharePlay. Allowing TV shows, movies, music and even the screen of the user to be shared during FaceTime. It also is receiving Spatial Audio to give an immersive-like experience basing on the position people are on your screen. Grid view is a small feature that’ll give people an easier way to see who is talking at the moment. A link to the FaceTime is also coming allowing non-Apple users to join on the call. Throughout the supported apps, anything that was shared with you will appear under a category of the same name. In case you want to find it later or be reminded of who suggested something to you. Photos will be more organized in iMessage when sent to you and allow you to interact with them on an individual level. Focus is a new feature that uses both intelligence and your own will to do exactly that. Think of ‘Do Not Disturb’ but enhanced intelligently. Notifications are receiving a bit more organization by summarization the ones that you don’t interact as much and keeping the ones you do front and center. Maps is another that is receiving an update by giving more life to the app. As well as making trips easier to navigate to whether its in a car or transit. Safari appears to have gotten several updates like FaceTime that changes it for the better. Tab grouping to reduce the clutter and visually, the taskbar is minimized. Extensions that are available on the Mac-level will be coming to the iPhone. Ad block anyone? Wallet is slowly becoming its name with IDs becoming digitized depending on the location or authority allowing it. Live Text is a feature that uses intelligence to scan through webpages, apps and photos to allow users to copy and paste text. Useful feature that can also used to translate on supported languages. Overall, iOS 15 brings many new features for better quality of life come September.
iPadOS 15:
Of course, iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 are similar that the tablet is more than likely receiving the same features as the iPhone. However, let’s focus on iPad-specific features such as multitasking. Apple is pushing to improve on that front by splitting the screen, creating tab shelves and using keyboard shortcuts. Widgets and App Library are finally coming to the iPad. Bringing more productivity to the user. A new enhancement is to the Note app, allowing users to make Quick Notes. Quickly jot down a note and the software intelligently associates that note depending on what or where it was created. It also allows the user to create a bookmark from that app or webpage to quickly get back to that location. Apple also allows multi-users to add tags and organize the many different notes a team could assemble. As said before, FaceTime, iMessage, Focus, Notifications, Safari and many more improvements from iOS 15 is coming to iPadOS 15. However, iPadOS 15 and macOS Monterey is receiving a cool feature called Universal Control. It allows the user to control a cursor that works between multiple devices in a way a multi-monitor setup works. Yet, it allows a cross operating system control that pushes Apple’s narrative for their ecosystem. Can’t hate on their efforts.
macOS Monterey:
Like a beating drum, Apple is tightening their ecosystem by sharing but creating their unique identities. iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 features are coming to the Mac. This year’s MacOS is named after Monterey. Aside from the already explained features, AirPlay to Mac is a new one. Pretty much using the big display in place of a TV when there isn’t one available. You can also play music using the feature that can use the Mac’s speakers as a multiroom experience. Shortcuts is coming to the Mac, Apple notes that Automator isn’t going away. The popular tool on iPhone and iPad will allow Mac users to use it on their device or make ones themselves.
watchOS 8:
Portrait mode is coming to the Apple Watch, a much better version of the Photos watch face. Another photos related feature is memories that’ll create new ones on the daily. In case you get bored of whoever is on your watch face. You can also share those photos quickly through iMessage and/or Mail. HomeKit is making it easier for users to be notified and have control directly from their wrists. Wallet features from iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 are coming to the Apple Watch albeit in a tighter but appropriate format. Typing messages is getting improved by allowing users to quickly write through their voice, scribble, emojis or all at once. You can use the Digital Crown to jump to the error and correct it. Apple pushes their Apple Watch as a health tool and they added Mindfulness. Giving the user new features from the reimagined Breathe app to pause and reflect with themselves. Lastly, more health improvements and exercises arrive to the device.
Overall, WWDC21 was great and can’t wait for these to release in beta next month! They’ll of course, release in September as the new products will be announced by that point.
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