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CEO Tim Cook took to the stage to deliver a keynote ahead of Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) to announce the latest updates from the tech firm.
After opening the event with a moment’s silence for the victims of the recent Orlando shooting, Cook spoke in detail about the following announcements:
iOS 10
For iOS 10, Apple has opened up Siri to third-party developers. This means users will be able to do thinks like book taxis through Uber via Siri.
Maps in iOS 10 has been redesign to make it even simpler and more intuitive to use. Now open to developers with new extensions, apps like OpenTable can integrate bookings right into Maps, and services like Uber and Lyft can make it easier for users to book a ride without leaving the Maps app.
Maps now proactively delivers directions to where you most likely want to go next, based on your routine or appointments on your calendar.
Apple Music has an all-new design. It uses a new design language that allows the music to ‘become the hero’ and a new structure that makes it easy to navigate and discover new music. The Library, For You, Browse and Radio tabs have been completely redesigned and Apple has added a Search tab to make finding music even easier.
Security and privacy are ‘fundamental to the design of Apple hardware, software and services’ said the firm. iMessage, FaceTime and HomeKit use end-to-end encryption to protect your data by making it unreadable by Apple and others. iOS 10 uses on-device intelligence to identify the people, objects and scenes in Photos, and power QuickType suggestions. Services like Siri, Maps and News send data to Apple’s servers, but this data is not used to build user profiles.
macOS Sierra
MacOS now replaces OS X, with this called macOS Sierra. The reason for this is to bring the desktop operating system’s name in line with the likes of iOS, watchOS etc.
Probably the biggest feature to be introduced to macOS Sierra is Siri. The personal assistant will now be available on desktops and laptops for the first time.
Continuity across your Apple devices also gets better in macOS Sierra. With Universal Clipboard, the contents of your clipboard are available across all your Apple devices via iCloud. You can easily copy and paste text, images, photos and video between your Mac and your iPhone and iPad.
To help navigation, macOS Sierra has taken the popular Tabs feature from Safari and made it available across Mac apps that support multiple windows, including Maps, Mail, Pages, Numbers, Keynote and TextEdit, and even third-party apps.
With the new OS, you no longer need to share credit or debit card numbers with an online merchant and actual card numbers are not stored on your device, nor on Apple servers. Just look for the Apple Pay button at checkout with Touch ID on your iPhone or by using your Apple Watch. ‘Strong encryption protects all communication between your devices and Apple Pay servers, and Apple Pay does not track your purchases,’ said the firm.
watchOS 3
Apple previewed watchOS 3, featuring significantly improved performance with the ability to launch favourite apps instantly, enhanced navigation like the new Dock and all-new fitness and health capabilities for Apple Watch.
Available this autumn, this software update introduces the Breathe app, designed to encourage users to take a moment in their day to do deep breathing exercises for relaxation and stress reduction. The Activity app now includes the ability to share, compare and compete as well as enabling wheelchair users to close their Activity rings.
Receiving and quickly replying to messages is more powerful and expressive in watchOS 3 with stickers, handwriting, full-screen effects and invisible ink, which reveals the message only after a friend swipes over it.
