Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Convention (WWDC) is a platform for the legion of coders whose wares populate the company's App Store, to showcase their newest creations. But this year's event could be a harbinger for a new software aesthetic that can significantly optimise hardware performance.
Apple unveiled updates to the iOS, watchOS, tvOS and macOS, which are the operating systems powering the iPhone, iWatch, Apple TV, and Macintosh respectively.
WWDC 2018 was packed with new versions of Apple's operating systems for its hardware portfolio.
The 130-minute-long keynote was delivered by Tim Cook, who took the wraps off a host of software products that the company has been developing to enhance the functionality of its operating ecosystem. The upgrades will also give app developers a shot at improvising their existing software portfolios to reduce loading time, battery consumption, while increasing performance.
Apple previewed the iOS 12, the latest edition of its mobile operating system, which the company claims will make apps load up to 40% faster. The camera app was found to load 50% faster, while the Camera app launcher switched to the camera screen 70% faster than it did when running the previous iteration of iOS.
iOS 12 is significantly faster than its predecessors.
Apple announced that the iOS 12 will be available for download across its product range, from older phones to the iPhone X, whose distinctive design has turned rather modish after a host of other manufacturers also adopted its bezel-less, notch-frame design.
Here are some of the major announcements from the WWDC 2018.
iOS
The iOS 12, which promises to be faster and snappier than before, will be extended to all devices from the iPhone 5S upwards. Apple has introduced new Augmented Reality (AR) apps, including 'Measure' – an app that provides a multi-user AR experience. The new file format for AR - .usdz, now supported by Adobe, can be used in the Apple News App.
Play AR games with others in iOS 12.
Siri, Apple's virtual assistant, has become smarter, with Siri suggestions, and ‘Shortcuts’, to create sequential tasks that it can handle automatically. Enterprise applications have also seen a shake-up. ‘iBooks’ has been renamed to ‘Apple Books’. It has been redesigned with an integrated e-Book store. The ‘Carplay’ app has been updated to support third-party navigation apps, apart from the in-house app ‘Maps’.
iOS 12 Screen Time.
Two of the most controversial features that are a part of the latest software package are the revamped 'Face Time' app and the new 'App Limit'. Users will now be able to manage time spent on phone using App Limit, and monitor time spent on each app to control the use of all iOS devices connected to one account.
Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering, speaks about using group FaceTime with animojis at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference.
By integrating the ‘Messages’ and ‘FaceTime’ apps, Apple has incorporated the option whereby group video calls can be made with up to 32 people.
watchOS
Apple is introducing a new walkie-talkie app for Apple Watch users.
Apple made a noticeable impact in the wearable market with the launch of its iWatch, and watchOS 5 which was announced at the WWDC, is expected to take forward the technological edge it has over competitors. Updates to the ‘Health and Fitness’ app include communal Activity competition with friends. Automatic workout detection will also be possible with the device being able to track heart rate and thereby pinpoint to a start and stop in rigorous physical activity. It will also have new presets for yoga and hiking.
Connectivity aspects have been improved, with the addition of a ‘Walkie-Talkie’ feature, through cellular/Wi-Fi. The integration of Siri shortcuts and grouped interactive notifications into the Apple watch-face will be possible, as will support for third-party apps with Siri. Podcasts and web content can be directly consumed on the Apple Watch, where the audio can also be played in the background.
tvOS
Jen Folse, Lead Designer for Apple TV, speaks at the Apple Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in San Jose, California, U.S., June 4, 2018.
Among other updates, Apple TV gets 4k HDR and Dolby Atmos sound. The upgrade will be free for all existing purchases made on iTunes. Apple has collaborated with various TV operators in different parts of the globe to provide users over 100 channels to tune into. The tvOS can now be paired with devices running iOS, thereby allowing it to be controlled by iPhone and iPad.
Content can be streamed from various devices using the zero sign-on function. While this may not count as a performance-enhancing feature, the Apple TV now comes equipped with an eye in the sky. A live stream of footage from the International Space Station can be accessed, showing views of earth from outer space.
macOS
Apple introduces their new operating system during their Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, California on Monday, June 4, 2018.
The latest version of the macOS, called Mojave, will be available to users as a free update. Dark mode has been enabled for all native Apple apps, and can be extended to third party apps as well. The Markup tool has been integrated for Quick Look and Screenshots. Screen capture for video will now be possible. Greater cohesion between devices from the Apple family has been worked out with Continuity Camera, which allows a quicker transfer of photos from iOS to macOS Mojave.
Security has also been upped on the Safari app to prevent 'device fingerprinting'. This will make all Apple devices look similar to trackers, thereby averting threats to desktops and laptops running macOS from device-specific threats.
A revamped ‘Mac App Store’ with a bigger, well categorised store, will now come with customisable tabs. ‘Ratings and Reviews’ has been added to the macOS store. Collaboration with Microsoft, Adobe, Barebones, and many more companies will see the introduction of Office 365, Lightroom CC, BB Edit and much more, to the Mac interface.
By integrating key elements of iOS apps’ UIKit into macOS apps’ AppKit, iOS apps can now be ported to the macOS interface. This feature will be available to developers in 2019. Favicons have also been enabled on Safari tabs.
Tim Cook said in his keynote address that the software updates showcased at the event will be available to all Apple users this fall.
