On June 5, 2023, Apple fans and developers saw the latest updates and updates for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Also featured at the event was the impressive debut of Apple's Mixed Reality headset, which combines AR and VR in one device.
Here are some of the modernization we're excited about:
Apple's mixed-reality headset: This is the perfect device for immersive and interactive content. It combines augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in a single device that connects wirelessly to your iPhone or Mac. It has two high-resolution features that adjust to your eye movements and facial expressions.
It also has advanced sensors and cameras that can track your location and direction, scan and map your surroundings. You can switch between AR and VR modes according to your preferences and environment. You can create mixed reality games and games with RealityKit 2, a new platform for developers. The headset will launch in late 2023 or early 2024 and will cost around $2,000.iOS 17: The next major update for iPhone users will bring a host of new features to make your device more powerful, special and personal.
Some of the highlights include:FaceTime: You can now use FaceTime to make more fun and engaging calls with friends and family. You can enjoy spatial audio, portrait mode, grid view, SharePlay and FaceTime connectivity. Spatial sound will make the sound more natural and direct. Portrait mode blurs the background and focuses on your face. The grid view will show all participants in tiles of the same size.
SharePlay lets you watch movies, listen to music, or play games together while using FaceTime. FaceTime Link lets you create and share invitations to join FaceTime calls with anyone, even without an Apple device.Focus: Now with Focus, you can reduce distractions and focus on what matters. You can create a custom profile based on your activities or environment, such as work, personal, sleep or play. Each profile has its own notifications, apps, widgets and home screen layouts.
You can set up automatic rules to enable or disable focus profiles based on time, location, or app usage.Live Text: You can now use Live Text to interact with text in pictures and images. You can copy text from images and paste it into other applications such as Word or Notes. You can use Spotlight or Safari to find information about text in images. For example, you can scan the phone number on a business card and call directly from the photo.
Safari: Now you can browse the web faster and easier with Safari. The address bar has been moved to the bottom of the screen for easy one-handed access. The address bar also acts as a tab bar, allowing you to switch between tabs or access groups of tabs. Tab groups are a new way to organize tabs into collections that can be synced across devices. Safari also supports web extensions for iPhone for the first time.
Wallet: You can now use further iPhone with your wallet as an ID card or key. You can add your driver's license or government ID to the wallet and use it at the airport and other supported locations. You can add your home, office, hotel, car or bike keys to the wallet, then tap your iPhone to unlock it. The wallet also supports ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, allowing you to open a compatible car or door without taking your iPhone out of your pocket or purse.
iPadOS 15: This is the next major update for iPad users, which will bring a lot of new features that will make your device more productive, creative, and versatile. Some of the highlights are:
Widgets: Place widgets anywhere on the home screen. Resize them and mix them with app icons. Access more widgets from Apple and third-party apps.
App Library: Organize apps into categories. Access them from the dock or the home screen. Hide or reorder pages of apps on the home screen.
Multitasking: Switch between full-screen, split view, or slide-over modes with a new menu. Drag and drop apps to create windows. Use keyboard shortcuts or gestures to switch between apps or windows.
Quick Note: Create and access notes from anywhere with an Apple Pencil or a finger. Write, type, draw, or add content from other apps. Link notes to specific apps or websites. Access notes later by tapping on the note icon.
Universal Control: Control multiple devices with one keyboard and mouse or trackpad. Place devices next to each other and move cursor across them. Drag and drop files, images, text, or other content between devices.
macOS Monterey: This is the next major update for Mac users, which will bring a lot of new features that will make your device more powerful, secure, and compatible. Some of the highlights are:
Shortcuts: Create and run custom automation for various tasks on your Mac with Shortcuts. Choose from a gallery of pre-made shortcuts or create your own using a simple drag-and-drop interface. Assign keyboard shortcuts, menu bar icons, or Siri commands to trigger your shortcuts. Sync shortcuts across devices and work with Apple apps as well as third-party apps.
AirPlay to Mac: Stream audio or video from your iPhone, iPad, or another AirPlay-enabled device to your Mac with AirPlay to Mac. Use your Mac as a speaker, a display, or an extension of your device. Share your Mac’s screen with another device.
Safari: Browse the web faster and easier with Safari. The tab bar is compact and adaptive, changing color based on the website and showing only the active tab’s icon and title. The tab bar also integrates the address bar and the search field into one unified element. Safari also supports tab groups for organizing tabs into collections that can be synced across devices. Safari also supports web extensions for Mac for the first time.
Universal Control: Control multiple devices with one keyboard and mouse or trackpad with Universal Control. Place devices next to each other and move cursor across them. Drag and drop files, images, text, or other content between devices.
watchOS 8: Stay healthy, active, and connected with new features such as Health app for more insights and trends on health data; Fitness app for more options and guidance for staying active and healthy; Photos app for viewing and interacting with photos and memories; Portraits watch face that uses portrait mode photos from iPhone; and World Time watch face that shows the time in multiple cities.
tvOS 15: Enhance your entertainment, gaming, and connectivity on the big screen with new features such as SharePlay for watching movies, listening to music, or playing games together with friends and family while on FaceTime; Spatial Audio for enjoying immersive sound with AirPods Pro or AirPods Max; HomeKit for controlling smart home devices from Apple TV; and For All of You for discovering movies and shows that everyone in the family will enjoy.
These are some of the best new features that we can't wait to try out. If you want to learn more about these features and how they will enhance your Apple devices and experiences, you can visit apple.com/wwdc for more details.
What do you think about these announcements? Let us know in the comments below!