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

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.

08/06/2021 00:36:08

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)

08/06/2021 01:05:02

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)

08/06/2021 00:35:04

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)

08/06/2021 00:32:06

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.

08/06/2021 00:10:36

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. 

08/06/2021 00:06:42

MacOS Monterey Key Updates

MacOS Monterey Key Updates:

- New FaceTime features
- Universal Control allows single mouse and keyboard to move between Mac and iPad 
- Drag and drop between iPad and Mac
- AirPlay to Mac
-  Use iMac as wireless speaker for iPhone
- Redesigned Safari

07/06/2021 23:57:42

HomePod mini coming to these countries

HomePod mini is coming to Austria, Ireland, and New Zealand later this month. It will be available in Italy by the end of the year

07/06/2021 23:56:22

Apple's HomeKit features

Key Apple HomeKit features:

- HomePod Mini can now be used as TV speakers
- Package detections
- Siri coming to third-party devices
- Home app on Apple Watch
- New camera enhancement
- Better people recognition
- Lossless audio in Apple Music coming to HomePod Mini later this year
- Siri-enabled accessories

 

08/06/2021 00:47:35

WatchOS 8 updates

The WatchOS 8 updates include new animation for mindfulness, Reflect for more mindfulness, Track respiratory rate when sleeping, Portrait watch face and Photo app updated.

07/06/2021 23:38:37

Apple Health to alert your health trends

Apple Health will alert you to your health trends and when things change. Apple can now monitor how steady you walk to help prevent falls in adults.

Apple will now measure your "Walking Steadiness", a feature that tracks how stable you are, and how likely you may be to fall. It also comes with movement exercises to help your strength and balance.

07/06/2021 23:35:23

Apple's iOS15 for iPhones

Apple's iOS15 for iPhones will bring improved FaceTime, better notification system, and other improved data organisation across iOS devices. It will help users with their digital wellbeing by compartmentalising Work, Personal and other areas of 'focus' to balance notifications. 

08/06/2021 00:28:02

App Privacy Report For Apple Users

To keep your activity as private as possible, Apple users can now seek out their App Privacy Report to see how much time, location services, data are spent on certain apps.

Apple iss going to begin obscuring IP addresses of its users so that companies are unable to use your internet address to identify and track you.

The IP obfuscation will be on the Mail App and Safari.

Apple also said it's going to tell you every time an app uses other features of your iPhone. So, you might see for example how many times an app accessed your camera, microphone or address book.

08/06/2021 00:32:39

Apple introduces iCloud+

Apple introduces iCloud+. It includes features like Hide My Email, Private Relay, HomeKit Secure Video at same Pricing as iCloud Subscription.

07/06/2021 23:26:04

Build Apps Through Swift Playground

Apple to allow users to build apps on the iPad using Swift Playground.

07/06/2021 23:23:54

AirPods, Facetime Updates

New features coming to AirPods: Conversation Boost, AirPods in the FindMy App, Spatial Audio on both AppleTV and macOS, Dolby Atmos for Apple Music coming today.

Updates to Facetime: Spatial Audio, Voice Isolation, Portrait Mode & Facetime Links to schedule Facetime calls.

07/06/2021 23:22:18

Apple to allow users to plan Face Time calls in advance

Apple will now allow users to plan Face Time calls in advance, and the video calling platform will also support non-Apple devices like Android smartphones.

 

07/06/2021 23:10:53

Apple Maps gets more details

Apple Maps gets more detail added to driving instructions including complex layers intersections. Several areas where Apple is working hard to narrow the gap with Google. This is most palpable in new translation, mapping & photo features including making text actionable in photos, offering visual search and delivering greater visual clarity in maps. 

07/06/2021 23:52:40

Apple Maps adds Augmented Reality

Apple Maps adds Augmented Reality for walking directions - after Google that did this a few years ago. Apple Maps is now highly detailed and has 3D city experiences and improved navigation. It tells you which lane to be in, better traffic updates and a cool look of major cities in the US 

07/06/2021 23:06:50

Apple enables digital ID in Wallet on iOS 15

Your ID will be encrypted, and Apple says TSA is working to enable checkpoints as the first place where you'll be able to show your digital ID

07/06/2021 23:06:04

Apple enables digital ID in Wallet on iOS 15

Apple is enabling digital ID in Wallet on iOS 15. This will include driver's licenses from participating US states and even TSA support.