Apple “WWDC 2016” Highlights

At Apple’s annual software conference, Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), chief executive Tim Cook and fellow executives revealed the latest software updates for all Apple products. The keynote presentation revealed that Apple is finally opening up. There’s just too many things to be written in a single post. So, here are the highlights:

iOS 10

Apple’s next big iOS update is hitting the two-digit milestone. In its very celebration, there are lots of upgrades being made available.

• For the very first time in iOS history, you can delete the preloaded bunch of “Junk” apps you never use. Saves so much space, why did they not do it before? Anyways, better late than never.
• The lockscreen is much better with messages directly on the lockscreen, new shortcut for apps like Camera and Music and 3D touch integration to clear notifications.
• The homescreen drop down Today widget panel widgets get an upgrade and 3D touch opens up more info for some apps.
• Siri is “finally” open to developers. So, soon enough you’ll be able to ask Siri to open apps and perform specific actions.
• Quick Type is much better with deep learning and AI. For instance, if someone texts you asking for someone’s contact, Siri will look it up for you and pre-fill the contact info.
• Photos are now organized using AI, and automatically short collections are created. Big change for iOS, though we’ve had it in Google Photos for a year now.
• Apple music is so much better with a clean display and new “For You” and “Recently Added” section.
• Homekit’s new app “Home” shows Apple is getting serious about Smart Home. Finally!
• All that openness, yet, you can rest assured. For Apple punctuated the keynote with a re-dedication to privacy as a result of its new found open source approach.

macOS

Good bye, macOS X. Apple has brought forth its new desktop operating system – macOS. The first version of this new introduction is Sierra.

• Siri debuts on Mac with Sierra. Search will be so much more optimized. And yes, multitasking too. Talk about efficiency!
• Photo Memories helps you rediscover your best memories in a beautiful way. You can also search for your photos by the objects and scenes in them, allowing you to display them in the world map.
• Payments are even more secure with the Apple Pay in Safari. No credit card detail sharing, your transactions are protected the best in class security.
• Auto Unlock with Apple Watch. No passwords required, makes it quick to get back to work.
• The universal clipboard feature lets you copy and paste text, images or videos across connected devices instantly.
• Desktop and documents folder can be automatically stored and updated in iCloud, so you can gain access to you files from any device. You no more have to remember what was saved where.
• Storage is more optimized in Sierra. Siri can automatically clear room by uploading rarely used files to iCloud.

watchOS

In the opening of WWDC, Apple focused on its watchOS. watchOS 3 was announced and Apple claims the following features:

• 7x faster refresh rate than watchOS 2 which looked lightning fast in the WWDC demos.
• You can press the side-button below the crown to access the Dock, similar to iOS, where you can swipe through different apps to use.
• Apple Watch now has Control Center. Just swipe up from the bottom, like in iOS.
• You can scroll on your Apple Watch to send the automatic response to a text, which if you don’t like, you can always use Scribble.
• A Minnie Mouse face, a new Activity face in both analog and digital, and a face called Numerals are now available. All can be switched with a simple swipe to customize them better.
• watchOS also introduces Activity Sharing – you can see what activity your friends are family are up to and you can share yours as well.

tvOS

For those who use Apple TV:

• You will now be able to subscribe to and download new services, including Sling TV and FOX Sports.
• Setup is no longer annoying. Apple is introducing single sign-on for all the different tvOS apps so you only need to activate through a browser once.
• tvOS 2 has received a better remote app for your iPhone and expanded integration with Siri. Search YouTube videos with your voice all you want.

Apple Inc. has announced a whole new bunch of upgrades and we are all very excited for them. The product launch is on fall this year and we’ll be following the news closely to keep you updated. If there’s anything you wish to add to this story, write it in the comments. We’ll be back with more updates.