The annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) by Apple has introduced the next generation of software for Apple devices. In this event, the company showcased the upgrades made to iOS/iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, and macOS Sonoma. Below are the features and improvements made to the software:
iOS/iPadOS 17
iOS and iPadOS 17 come with a bunch of amazing new features. The changes are most significant in familiar apps such as Phone, Messages, and FaceTime.
In the Phone app, you can customize a contact poster with a photo or emoji, which will appear on the recipient’s phone during a call. A new feature called Live Voicemail now shows transcriptions of the voicemail left on your phone, allowing you to choose whether to respond.
If a person fails to answer a FaceTime call, you now have the option to leave a video message. Moreover, Messages now has a Message filter feature that makes finding specific messages easier, while voice messages are accompanied by transcriptions. Additionally, there’s a new Check In feature that allows you to check in automatically with a loved one when you arrive home safely.
With StandBy, iPhone users can now have their device turn into a full-screen experience while on their nightstand, displaying alarm and time information. Journal app assists users in recording their daily activities, providing personalized writing prompts via on-device machine learning. Other notable features include Namedrop, a new Airdrop feature that allows for quick sharing of phone numbers and photos with other users, and simpler voice commands for activating Siri.
iPadOS 17 now lets users customize their home screen with interactive widgets, similar to the iPhone. They can similarly customize a lock screen and access the Health app through iPad devices.
Developers can download the early beta version of iOS/iPadOS 17 now, with the official update slated for release later this year.
watchOS 10
Owners of Apple Watches will be delighted to hear about all the significant updates featured in watchOS 10.
With any watch face, a Smart Stack of various widgets can now appear, accessed through the Digital Crown. It recognizes what information the user chooses and, according to their context, displays relevant content, such as boarding passes from the Wallet during travel.
Several of Apple’s stock apps, including Maps and Weather, have been redesigned to show more comprehensive views on the screens of the newer models of the Apple Watch. Third-party apps can adopt the new design language.
Two new watch faces have been released, Pallette and Snoopy and Woodstock, which display time using different colors that shift throughout the day. Additionally, users can access biking-specific features such as cycling metrics, automatic live activity, and Bluetooth connectivity with cycling gadgets to enhance their workouts.
Developers can download watchOS 10 beta now, with the official update scheduled for release later this year.
macOS Sonoma
Apple introduced macOS Sonoma for Mac devices. The update includes the capability for desktop widgets that display interactive information, similar to the iPhone and iPad.
Additionally, you can view and interact with widgets from your iPhone directly on your Mac home screen when both devices are nearby and on the same Wi-Fi network.
Safari adds a private browser lock, and a Game Mode feature has been added. Developers can download beta now, with the official release date still to be announced.
Apple also announced a new 15-inch MacBook Air and updated Mac Studio hardware.
