Apple WWDC 2018 Keynote Highlights
Apple’s big developer spectacle, WWDC 2018, took place today in San Jose, California. The annual conference tied together all of the latest updates to Apple’s platforms — iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS — along with some bigger initiatives focused on bolstering privacy and security and curbing technology addiction. Here’s everything Apple announced at its WWDC 2018 keynote presentation, along with links to our deeper coverage.
Apple WWDC 2018 Key Announcements:
1. iOS 12
The first thing Apple confirmed is that iOS 12 will be coming out later this year. The update is focussed on stability and performance.
As ever, iOS 12 will be released as a free update. It will be supported by iPads and iPhones released back as far as 2013 — including the iPhone 6S. If your device was compatible with iOS 11, it will also be compatible with iOS 12.
2. Augmented reality
One of Apple’s key focuses for iOS 12 has been augmented reality. At WWDC it released details of ARKit 2, a set of tools for developers to create AR experiences for their apps. Apple says the new version has improved face tracking and allows for multiple people to collaborate, using a number of iPhones or iPads, to view the same AR experience.
Apple also announced a new file format — USDZ — which is designed for AR. And a new app, Measure, that uses the iPhone’s camera to scan objects and calculate their size.
3. macOS Mojave
The latest operating system for Macs follows Apple’s theme for this year’s WWDC: productivity and performance. Apple’s updates are largely focussed on making macOS easier to use.
For those with messy desktops, Apple is adding a Stacks mode where files of the same type will be put on top of each other. Apple is also adding a night mode for less eye-straining screen time. Apple News is being added to Mojave, as well as Voice Memos and the ability to control smart home products from your Mac.
Apple also took a swipe at Facebook’s and Google’s data collection. Craig Federighi, senior vice president of software engineering, said there would be more protection for people when websites collected cookies from Facebook Like buttons and comment fields. A “do you want to be tracked” box will appear — the example on screen was Facebook.com — and the option to stop being tracked will be provided. “Your Mac will look more like everyone else’s Mac,” Federighi said, in a comment that will send shivers through the adtech industry.
Apple has also spent time on the macOS App Store. It says it has rebuilt the store “from the ground up”. Product pages have been redesigned, Office 365 will be downloadable and it will also be possible to directly download Adobe software.
4. Siri
Since Siri launched back in 2011 it has been overtaken by Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant. While Apple tried to use WWDC to improve Siri, there weren’t a whole load of announcements.
In iOS 12, Siri will provide suggestions for app actions you may want based on the location or time of day. Apple said Siri will suggest calling people if your calendar knows it is their birthday, or remind you to turn off notifications when you’re at the cinema.
Siri will also be able to create routines for the first time, so it will be possible to automatically send a message to your friends or family when you start your journey home from work, for example.
5. tvOS
Announcements for tvOS were thin on the ground at WWDC 2018. In the US, Apple announced that Charter Spectrum cable subscribers will be able to replace their boxes with Apple TV.
The company also said that its streaming platform would be certified by Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos in the future. In addition, there will be more 4K HDR content available. Apple also demonstrated some new screensavers for TVs.
Those with tvOS won’t have to remember their passwords anymore, AutoFill from iPhone and iPad will automatically let people log in to apps they already use. An Apple TV Remote control is being added to iPhone and iPad apps.
6. WatchOS 5
Apple’s watchOS 5 is getting some of the same updates as iOS 12, including Siri suggestions. And Siri can now be activated just by raising your wrist towards your face. The Podcast app is being added to watchOS 5 and people will be able to pay for items with Apple Pay straight from the notifications screen.
Another new feature in watchOS 5 will let you talk to Apple Watch-owning friends in walkie-talkie mode. Simply tap, record a message and send it to your friend.
The Apple Watch’s fitness features have also been given an update. There’s a new yoga mode for tracking how long you spend completing the downward-facing dog. And, if you forget to start the watch at the beginning of a workout, it will automatically record when you’re active. For runners, there will be the ability to see a rolling mile pace, set custom speed alerts and provide details of how many steps a runner is making per minute.
What didn’t Apple announce?
Before this year’s WWDC, there were plenty of rumors that Apple was going to launch a new iPhone SE. The device hasn’t been updated since its first edition was released in 2016. Within seconds of WWDC 2018 starting, Apple squished all excitement by emphasizing the presentation would be all about software.
And while iOS 12 will apply to iPads as well as iPhones, there was barely a mention of Apple’s tablet. There was also no mention of the HomePod, which was announced at WWDC in 2017.
Article Source: macworld.com | wired.co.uk | techlofy.com
Originally published at www.techlofy.com on June 5, 2018.
