Apple WWDC 2021 HIGHLIGHTS: iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS Monterey, watchOS 8 Launched | Know Major Updates
Apple WWDC Event 2021 Live: With iOS 15 Launch, Apple Increases Focus On Health & Privacy; Know Major Updates On AirPods, Maps, WatchOS, Safari & More
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Background
Apple WWDC 2021 HIGHLIGHTS: Apple's much-awaited annual developer conference was held on Monday with much hype and all eyes on the top-of-the-line iOS 15, and other related announcements.
The iOS 15 introduces big changes to notifications and iMessages.
Apple normally does not introduce new hardware at WWDC.
Last month, Apple announced powerful accessibility software updates across iOS, watchOS and iPadOS, including a new SignTime service to connect Apple Store and Apple Support customers with on-demand sign language interpreters.
iPad will also support third-party eye-tracking hardware for easier control and for blind and low-vision communities and Apple's ‘VoiceOver' screen reader will get even smarter using on-device intelligence to explore objects within images.
Later this year, people with limb differences will be able to navigate Apple Watch using AssistiveTouch.
For iPadOS 15, there can be a big update to the homescreen, including the ability to place widgets anywhere you want.
There have been reports that Apple has been working on a Mixed Reality (MR) headset, and some more details can be shared like its software during the event.
Free for all developers, WWDC21 will offer unique insight into the future of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
"We love bringing our developers together each year at WWDC to learn about our latest technologies and to connect them with Apple engineers," Susan Prescott, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations and Enterprise and Education Marketing had said in an earlier statement.
"We are working to make WWDC21 our biggest and best yet, and are excited to offer Apple developers new tools to support them as they create apps that change the way we live, work, and play."
WWDC21 will provide Apple's worldwide community of more than 28 million developers, as well as the next generation of app developers, with the information and tools needed to turn their ideas into reality.
Apple to hide IP tracking on Safari, Mail
Taking its privacy-focused approach to another level after launching the App Tracking Transparency feature, Apple on Monday said it will automatically hide user IP addresses by default in Safari browser.
The tech giant said that it will give users more controls on what their installed apps are doing with their data.
Apple said it will also stop third-parties from snooping on Mail users via tracking pixels.
Mail will also hide user IP addresses by default like Safari.
Apple also announced that it will launch an App Privacy Report that will be live in settings.
It will provide an overview of privacy-related issues related to installed apps on tour Apple devices like "how often apps use your contacts, microphone, location, or other data and identifiers".
Apple rolled out the App Tracking Transparency in iOS 14.5 as part of a broader privacy push.
It's a relatively simple change that requires all apps to obtain permission before they track users across other apps and websites. (IANS)
Major updates to FaceTime, notifications, messages
Apple on Monday previewed its much-anticipated iOS 15 that comes with significant changes in FaceTime, notifications, Messages and more.
FaceTime will receive spatial audio and voice isolation features.
Users can also share music and videos during calls during Facetime.
They can also include Android users on FaceTime with a shareable link that opens the call in a browser, the company announced during its WWDC21 virtual event.
Notifications will show contact photos on text notifications and bigger app icons.
iOS 15 will make it possible for others to see when you enable ‘Do Not Disturb' mode via an automatic status update in Messages on your device
Images shared in messages will appear in places like your photo gallery and memories.
The tech giant also announced that AirPods will get major improvements with iOS 15, including "Conversation Boost" feature that will help people with hearing difficulties fear other people's voices.
AirPods will also get the ability to read out other important notifications.
Siri will now process audio on-device by default faster, without an internet connection.
Apple also announced an upcoming update to its Wallet app that will allow you to use your iPhone as digital identification at US airports. (IANS)
Apple iPadOS 15 arrives with new homescreen, multitasking tools
Apple on Monday announced several exciting features in the latest version of iPadOS 15 with more customisable homescreen and multi-tasking enhancements.
You can now place widgets anywhere on the home screen in iPadOS 15.
Apple also brought the App Library to iPadOS, like iPhone.
On the multitasking front, new icons will make it simpler to go into split-view mode.
Apple also showcased a "shelf" feature that makes it easier to tackle different tasks, the company said while kicking off its WWDc21 developer conference.
FaceTime calls now supports spatial audio for more natural sound.
Apple also introduced a new SharePlay feature for FaceTime that allows people to share media together on a group call.
SharePlay will utilise iOS features like picture-in-picture, iMessage, and more, the company informed.
Live Text is a feature that will help you select text from photos you've taken and in your camera roll. It supports seven languages.
The new iPad software update includes new features meant to help you focus, like revamped notifications. (IANS)
Apple announces Xcode Cloud
Finally, Apple announced a new feature called Xcode Cloud, designed to help test apps across multiple devices. Once a developer uploads their code to the company's servers, it'll automatically be tested across multiple devices, and then can be made easily available to beta testers.
Apple's iOS 15, iPadOS 15, WatchOS 8 and MacOS Monterey are all being made available to developers today, following the company's trend of releasing the new software to developers immediately after its announcements.
Apple said the public beta will be made available in July, with full release planned in the Fall.
Safari gets new look
Safari gets a new update and redesign, including new tab groups a redesigned tab bar, and tool bar. The colour of the webpage also gets taken over by safari as you browse.