Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is always an exciting event for tech enthusiasts, and this year’s conference was no exception. Held from June 4th to June 8th, WWDC 2018 was full of exciting announcements and updates from Apple that had everyone buzzing.
From updates to iOS to new features for the Mac, Apple unveiled a range of exciting developments that will shape the future of their products. Whether you’re an iPhone user, iPad devotee, or Mac aficionado, there was something for everyone at this year’s WWDC.
In this article, we’ll delve into all of the exciting announcements made at WWDC 2018, giving you a comprehensive overview of what Apple has in store for its users. So, let’s dive in and discover all the new features and updates that Apple has brought to the table!
Inside This Article
- iOS 12 Updates
- macOS Mojave Features
- watchOS 5 Enhancements
- New Features for Developers
- Conclusion
- FAQs
iOS 12 Updates
Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is the platform where the tech giant unveils its newest operating systems, and this year’s event was no exception. iOS 12, the latest iteration of Apple’s mobile operating system, was the highlight of the conference, introducing a host of exciting updates and features. Here are some of the most notable changes that iOS 12 brings to your iPhone or iPad.
Faster Performance: One of the key focuses of iOS 12 is to enhance the overall performance of your device. The new operating system has been optimized to run faster, especially on older devices. App launch times have been significantly reduced, and the overall responsiveness of the system has been improved.
ARKit 2.0: Augmented Reality (AR) capabilities have been taken to the next level with the introduction of ARKit 2.0 in iOS 12. This upgraded framework allows developers to create even more immersive and realistic AR experiences. Users can now engage in shared AR experiences, making it possible for multiple people to view and interact with the same augmented reality environment.
Group FaceTime: Keeping in touch with friends and family is now easier and more entertaining with Group FaceTime. iOS 12 allows you to have video or audio conversations with up to 32 people simultaneously. Participants can join and leave the conversation dynamically, and the person speaking is automatically highlighted, ensuring smooth and seamless group conversations.
Memoji and Animoji Enhancements: iOS 12 introduces new customization options to bring your Animoji to life. With Memoji, you can create a personalized Animoji that looks just like you, complete with customizable features such as skin tone, hairstyle, and accessories. Animoji have also been enriched with new characters like a ghost, koala, tiger, and T-Rex, adding more fun and creativity to your messages.
Screen Time: iOS 12 introduces a new feature called Screen Time, which provides you with insights and tools to monitor and manage your device usage. You can track how much time you spend on different apps and activities, set limits on specific apps or app categories, and even create downtime schedules to help you disconnect and focus on other activities.
Enhanced Notifications: Notifications in iOS 12 have received a makeover, making them more interactive and customizable. Grouped notifications allow you to easily manage and dismiss multiple notifications from the same app all at once. You can also customize your notification preferences to receive fewer interruptions and prevent distractions when needed.
Siri Shortcuts: Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, has become even more powerful with the introduction of Siri Shortcuts. This feature allows you to create custom voice commands that trigger a series of actions across different apps. For example, you can set up a shortcut that automatically opens your favorite workout app and starts a specific exercise routine, all with a simple voice command.
Privacy and Security: As always, Apple prioritizes privacy and security in iOS 12. The new operating system includes enhancements such as intelligent tracking prevention in Safari, stronger password suggestions, and automatic strong password generation. Additionally, in Safari, iOS 12 introduces new protections against social media ‘Like’ and ‘Share’ buttons, preventing them from tracking your online activity without your consent.
These are just a few highlights of the many exciting updates and features iOS 12 brings to your Apple devices. From improved performance to enhanced augmented reality experiences and more personalization options, the latest operating system continues to elevate the user experience on iPhones and iPads. Stay tuned for its release and get ready to explore the new and improved iOS 12.
macOS Mojave Features
Apple’s macOS Mojave brings a host of exciting new features and improvements to enhance the user experience. From a new dark mode to enhanced privacy features, Mojave is designed to make your Mac even more powerful and enjoyable to use. Here are some of the standout features you can look forward to:
1. Dark Mode: One of the most anticipated features of macOS Mojave is the introduction of Dark Mode. With Dark Mode, you can give your Mac a sleek, modern look by opting for a darker color scheme throughout the operating system and applications. Not only does it reduce visual strain on the eyes, but it also adds a touch of elegance to your desktop.
2. Dynamic Desktop: With Mojave, Apple introduces Dynamic Desktop, which changes the desktop wallpaper based on the time of day. This feature not only adds visual interest but also creates a more immersive experience as your desktop adapts to the natural lighting in your environment.
3. Stacks: Tired of messy desktops? Mojave’s Stacks feature aims to keep your desktop organized. It automatically groups similar file types, such as documents, images, and screenshots, into neat stacks, reducing clutter and making it easier to find what you need.
4. Finder Enhancements: macOS Mojave enhances the Finder with new features to improve productivity. You can now view file metadata in a new preview pane, make quick edits to images or PDFs without opening a separate app, and even perform quick actions such as rotating images or creating PDFs right from the Finder sidebar.
5. Continuity Camera: This new feature allows you to take photos or scan documents on your iPhone or iPad and have them instantly appear on your Mac. It eliminates the need for transferring files manually and streamlines your workflows, making it easier to incorporate images or documents into your projects.
6. Enhanced Privacy and Security: macOS Mojave puts a stronger emphasis on privacy and security. It introduces new permission settings that require apps to gain explicit permission before accessing your camera, microphone, or sensitive data such as location information. You’ll have greater control over your data and peace of mind knowing that your privacy is protected.
7. Improved Safari: Safari in Mojave comes with several new features designed to enhance your browsing experience. It offers intelligent tracking prevention, which blocks websites from tracking your online activity without your consent. It also introduces favicons, allowing you to easily identify and manage multiple open tabs.
8. Voice Memos: macOS Mojave brings the popular Voice Memos app from iOS to the Mac, making it easier than ever to capture and organize audio recordings. Whether you’re recording a lecture, brainstorming ideas, or simply leaving yourself a reminder, Voice Memos is a handy tool for productivity.
9. News, Stocks, Home, and Voice Control: Mojave adds new apps to your Mac, including News, Stocks, and Home, extending the integration of these services across multiple platforms. Additionally, Voice Control allows you to navigate and control your Mac using only your voice, opening up new possibilities for accessibility.
With its range of exciting new features, macOS Mojave provides a significant upgrade to the Mac user experience. Whether you’re a casual user or a power user, Mojave offers something for everyone, making your Mac even more versatile and enjoyable to use.
##
watchOS 5 Enhancements
watchOS 5, the latest software update for Apple Watch, brings several exciting enhancements and new features to the wrist-worn device. With a focus on improving user experience and expanding functionality, watchOS 5 takes the Apple Watch to new heights. Let’s dive into some of the key enhancements of watchOS 5:
1. Interactive Notifications: With watchOS 5, notifications become more interactive, allowing you to take immediate action without having to open the app. You can quickly reply to messages, view and interact with third-party app notifications, and even complete tasks right from the notification interface, making your Apple Watch even more efficient.
2. Walkie-Talkie: A fun new feature introduced in watchOS 5 is the Walkie-Talkie app, allowing Apple Watch users to communicate with friends and family in real-time. Simply press the Walkie-Talkie button on your watch, and instantly send and receive voice messages. It’s a convenient and playful way to stay connected with loved ones.
3. Podcasts App: Apple has brought the Podcasts app to Apple Watch with watchOS 5. Now you can enjoy your favorite podcasts directly from your wrist, without needing your iPhone nearby. With the ability to stream or download episodes, you can listen to podcasts during workouts, commutes, or any time you want to enjoy audio content on the go.
4. Activity and Workout Enhancements: watchOS 5 introduces new features to inspire and motivate you in your fitness journey. The Activity app now includes competitions, where you can challenge friends and family to see who can earn the most activity points. Additionally, there are new workout types such as Yoga and Hiking, ensuring that your Apple Watch can accurately track a wider range of physical activities.
5. Siri Improvements: Siri on Apple Watch becomes even more powerful with watchOS 5. You can now use Siri to ask for information, set reminders, start workouts, and even interact with third-party apps. The improved Siri watch face also provides more personalized and proactive suggestions throughout the day, helping you stay organized and efficient.
6. Apple Music Streaming: In watchOS 5, Apple Watch gains the ability to stream music directly from Apple Music. Whether you’re out for a run or on a walk, you can access your favorite songs, playlists, and Apple Music’s vast library without needing your iPhone nearby. It’s a game-changer for music lovers who want to enjoy their tunes on the go.
7. Automatic Workout Detection: WatchOS 5 leverages machine learning to automatically detect certain workouts, such as running and swimming. This means that even if you forgot to start a workout session, your Apple Watch will recognize your movement and track your activity accordingly, ensuring that you never miss out on tracking your progress.
These are just a few of the exciting enhancements that watchOS 5 brings to Apple Watch. From improved notifications to new fitness features, the latest software update enhances the overall user experience and makes the Apple Watch an even more indispensable companion. Upgrade to watchOS 5 now to unlock the full potential of your Apple Watch!
New Features for Developers
At Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2018, the company unveiled several exciting updates and features specifically designed to empower developers. These new tools and capabilities open up a world of possibilities, allowing developers to create even more innovative and seamless experiences for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS users. Let’s take a closer look at some of the standout features:
ARKit 2
Apple’s augmented reality (AR) framework, ARKit, received a significant upgrade with the introduction of ARKit 2. This new version enables developers to build more engaging and immersive AR experiences by incorporating shared experiences, persistent AR, and object detection. With the power of ARKit 2, developers can create interactive apps that seamlessly blend the virtual and real-world environments.
Siri Shortcuts
Siri Shortcuts is a highly anticipated feature that allows developers to integrate their apps with Siri, Apple’s intelligent virtual assistant. With the new Shortcuts API, developers can create custom voice commands for their apps, enabling users to perform complex tasks with a simple voice command. This opens up a world of possibilities for developers to enhance the functionality and accessibility of their apps while delivering a seamless and personalized user experience.
UIKit Enhancements
Apple introduced several enhancements to the UIKit framework, providing developers with more powerful and flexible tools to create compelling user interfaces. One notable update is the introduction of “Dynamic Type”, which allows app interfaces to adapt to different font sizes, ensuring a consistent and accessible user experience across devices. Additionally, UIKit now supports advanced layout capabilities, making it easier for developers to create responsive and adaptive user interfaces.
Core ML 2
Core ML, Apple’s machine learning framework, received a major upgrade with Core ML 2. This new version brings improved performance, streamlined integration with third-party framework, and support for more advanced machine learning models. Developers can now leverage the power of machine learning to create intelligent and personalized apps with ease.
Enhancements to Swift
Apple’s programming language, Swift, received several enhancements to make the development process even more efficient and productive. With Swift 4.2, developers can enjoy improved performance, increased stability, and enhanced tooling. New features like conditional conformance, customizing string interpolation, and access control improvements empower developers to write cleaner and more streamlined code.
These are just a few of the many new features and updates announced at WWDC 2018 that cater specifically to developers. Apple continues to provide a robust ecosystem and tools that enable developers to push the boundaries of what is possible on iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. With these new capabilities in hand, developers can unleash their creativity and build groundbreaking apps that elevate the user experience.
Conclusion
Apple’s WWDC 2018 event brought with it a slew of exciting announcements that have the tech world buzzing with anticipation. From the highly anticipated iOS 12 update to the groundbreaking enhancements to Siri, Apple has once again proven its commitment to pushing the boundaries of mobile technology. The introduction of ARKit 2 and the Measure app opens up a whole new world of possibilities for augmented reality experiences, while the improvements in security and privacy will surely put users at ease.
Furthermore, the announcement of macOS Mojave brings a fresh new look and powerful features to Apple’s desktop operating system. With Dark Mode, Desktop Stacks, and enhanced Finder capabilities, macOS Mojave promises to deliver a seamless and immersive user experience.
Overall, WWDC 2018 showcased Apple’s continued dedication to innovation and providing its users with cutting-edge technology. Whether you’re an iPhone user eagerly awaiting the release of iOS 12 or a MacBook user looking forward to the new features in macOS Mojave, it’s clear that Apple is shaping the future of mobile and desktop computing.
FAQs
1. What is WWDC?
WWDC stands for Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference. It is an annual event where Apple announces its latest software updates, technologies, and innovations for its various platforms, including iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
2. When is WWDC held?
WWDC is typically held in the early summer, with the exact dates varying from year to year. In recent years, it has taken place in June. The conference spans several days and includes keynote presentations, technical sessions, and hands-on labs for developers.
3. What can I expect from WWDC?
At WWDC, Apple unveils its upcoming software releases, which often include new features and enhancements for iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices. The company also provides developers with valuable insights, tools, and resources to create innovative apps for its ecosystem.
4. What were some of the major announcements at WWDC 2018?
In 2018, Apple made several significant announcements at WWDC. These included iOS 12, which brought performance improvements, ARKit 2 for augmented reality experiences, Siri Shortcuts for voice-activated app actions, and enhancements to the Photos, Messages, and FaceTime apps.
5. How can I stay updated on WWDC announcements?
To stay updated on the latest WWDC announcements, you can follow Apple’s official website, subscribe to Apple’s podcasts or YouTube channel, or engage with the Apple developer community. You can also find coverage and summaries of the event from various technology news outlets.
