12 Jun 2024
Episode 5: WWDC in 8 Minutes
Apple's latest event started with a dramatic scene of people parachuting past Apple Park, followed by Tim Cook celebrating the fifth anniversary of Apple TV+ with clips from its originals. Mike then discussed Vision Pro, with Hailey introducing VisionOS 2. This update includes converting regular photos to spatial ones, SharePlay in photos, more intuitive hand gestures, higher resolution and size on Mac Virtual Display, and train support in Travel Mode. Mike also explained how developers can create spatial Vision Pro apps, and there's now a physical lens for Canon cameras to shoot spatial videos.
Tim Cook announced Vision Pro's upcoming availability in additional countries and introduced Craig to talk about iOS 18. New features include leaving blank space on the home screen, a new icon look in dark mode, icon tinting, improved Control Center with swiping to groups of controls, lock screen controls, and an Action button. Apps can now be hidden in a Hidden Folder in App Library and locked with biometrics. Users can also select specific contacts to share with apps.
Craig then highlighted communication app improvements, starting with Messages. Ronak discussed tapping back with any emoji, scheduling messages, formatting them, and adding text effects. Messages via satellite on iPhone 14 and later includes end-to-end encrypted messaging, emojis, and tapbacks. Craig also talked about on-device mail categorization, a digest feature for bulk interactions, new Maps features, Tap to Cash, improved Apple Pay Online, event guides in Wallet, Journal improvements, Game Mode on iPhone, Photos redesign, RCS support in Messages, optional home screen icon enlargement, and integrating Reminders into Calendar.
Ron introduced new AirPods features, allowing users to nod or shake their head to interact with Siri, and voice isolation for AirPods Pro. Insight is coming to Apple TV+ for original shows and movies, providing actor info and track additions to Apple Music. Enhanced dialogue and auto-subtitles are also new features.
David presented WatchOS 11, with the vitals app showing health metrics, training mode, streak pausing, Smart Stack widgets, check-in on Watch, and Double Tap gesture app development. iPadOS 18 includes the same iOS improvements and a customizable floating tab-bar. Users can tap and draw on the screen during screen sharing and remotely control devices. The Calculator app is finally on iPad, featuring Math Notes for equation drawing, Smart Script for handwriting correction, and easy erasing in Notes.
MacOS Sequoia introduces Math Notes, Messages improvements, iPhone mirroring, and phone notifications on Mac. New window tiling suggestions and a Passwords app for various OS, including Windows, are also featured. Beth discussed Safari's new private tabs, highlights, summaries, redesigned reader, video viewer, and gaming with UbiSoft.
Finally, Apple unveiled Apple Intelligence, a highly-improved Siri capable of jumping between apps and accessing GPT-4 for advanced queries. On-device actions use private Apple servers powered by Silicon. Users can generate photos, rewrite text, reply to emails, summarize messages and calls, produce memory movies, transform sketches, search with natural language, and more for free. ChatGPT integration allows Plus account logins for premium features.
That's WWDC for you! Enjoy your iGadgets.
