Apple made a couple of announcements at WWDC21 including, iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and more.
iOS 15
Just like iOS 14, iOS 15 isn’t changing by a lot in the looks department.
“For many customers, iPhone has become indispensable, and this year we’ve created even more ways it can enhance our daily lives,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “iOS 15 helps users stay connected while sharing experiences in real time, gives them new tools to help reduce distraction and find focus, uses intelligence to enhance the photos experience, and, with huge upgrades to Maps, brings new ways to explore the world. We can’t wait for customers to experience it.”
One of the new features of iOS 15 is SharePlay, so then you’re on a FaceTime call, you can listen to music or watch a movie or show in sync. This is similar to features like GroupWatch on Disney+.
App developers will be able to add SharePlay support using the new API. SharePlay works across iPhone, iPad, and Mac and can even be extended to Apple TV.
Disney+, MasterClass, Twitch, TikTok and a number of services are adding SharePlay to their apps.
Another feature of FaceTime in iOS 15 is making links. Similar to sending someone a Zoom link, you can now do that with FaceTime. Once you share that link, the recipents can join a FaceTime call on the web on Android and Windows.
Other features of iOS 15 include:
- App Privacy Report
- Redesigned weather app
- Improved Apple Maps that adds new details like commercial districts, elevation, and buildings, new road colours, custom-designed landmarks, and a new night-time mode with a moonlit glow
- Announced Notifications from Siri on AirPods
- On-device speech recognition for Siri
- iCloud+ which adds Hide My Email, expanded HomeKit Secure Video support, and iCloud Private Relay
- Sharing tab in the Health app
- Ultra Wideband support for digital car keys
- IDs in Apple Wallet
- Focus, which can filter notifications based on what you’re doing
iOS 15 is available for developers today and a public beta next month. The iOS 15 will officially launch in the fall for iPhone 6S and later.
You can read more about iOS 15 here.
iPadOS 15
The iPadOS 15 update is getting a few features from iOS 14 such as the App Library and homescreen widgets.
“We’re excited to make the iPad experience even better with iPadOS 15,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “With more intuitive multitasking, a new Home Screen design with integrated widgets and the App Library, systemwide note taking with Quick Note, Translate designed for iPad, SharePlay, a redesigned Safari experience, new tools to stay focused, and more, users can now be even more productive.”
Multitasking should be easier in iPadOS 15, with a new multitasking menu to let you put apps into Split View or Slide Over.
One new feature of iPadOS 15 is Universal Control, this allows you to use a single mouse and keyboard between iPad and Mac. So then you can drag and drop items between them.
Universal Control works on more than just two devices. In some of Apple’s demos, they showed off using the feature between a MacBookr Pro, iPad Pro and iMac.
Other features of iPadOS 15 include:
- iCloud+
- Improved Apple Maps that adds new details like commercial districts, elevation, and buildings, new road colours, custom-designed landmarks, and a new night-time mode with a moonlit glow
- On-device speech recognition for Siri
- Sharing tab in the Health app
- Focus, which can filter notifications based on what you’re doing
iPadOS 15 is available for developers today and a public beta next month. The iPadOS 15 will officially launch in the fall for iPad mini 4 and later, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and all iPad Pro models.
You can read more about iPadOS 15 here.
macOS Monterey
This year’s macOS update is called Monterey, which aims at improving upon macOS Big Sur.
“macOS Monterey is packed with features that help Mac users get more done, connect with friends and family in amazing new ways, and work across Mac and iPad more seamlessly than ever before,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “We think our customers are going to love browsing the web with Safari’s new tab design, enjoying shared experiences with SharePlay in FaceTime, and using their Mac and other Apple devices together in new ways with Universal Control and AirPlay to Mac.”
Safari in macOS Monterey has been redesigned with a new tab design and Tab Groups.
The Shortcuts app has made it’s way to macOS, to help you automate everyday tasks. You’ll also be able to import Automator workflows into Shortcuts.
The new Notes app lets you create notes quickly and easily. Just like on iPadOS 15 and iOS 15, macOS Monterey gets the Focus feature that lets you filter notifications.
Other features of macOS Monterey include:
- AirPlay to Mac, play music, movies or screen mirror your iPhone or iPad to your Mac.
- iCloud+
- Spatial Audio support on AirPods Pro and AirPods Max with Macs with M1
- Universal Control
macOS Monterey is available to developers starting today and a public beta in July. It’ll be available to all users in the fall.
The update will work with the following Macs.
You can read more about macOS Monterey here.
watchOS 8
Now on to Apple’s wearble, not much is new with watchOS 8 apart from a few features.
“Apple Watch is the most loved watch in the world, keeping users healthy, active, and connected,” said Kevin Lynch, Apple’s vice president of Technology. “With watchOS 8, we’re bringing more convenient access to places users live, work, and visit with significant updates to Home and Wallet, expanding support for both physical and mental well-being, and enabling richer personal connections with the new Portraits face and updates to Messages.”
Just like in iOS 15, watchOS 8 brings Ultra Wideband support for digital car keys with the Apple Watch Series 6 and later. So you’ll be able to unlock your car using your watch with ease.
The Home app in watchOS 8 has been redesigned to better ease of use and quick access to your smart home devices.
There’s new workout types such as Tai Chi and Pilates in watchOS 8. To help you relax, there’s the Mindfullness app to let you Breath and Reflect during the day.
Other feature of watchOS 8 include:
- Multiple timers
- Always-On API for third-party apps
- Redesigned Music app
- Severe Weather notifications
watchOS 8 is available to developers starting today and a public beta in July. It’ll be available to all users in the fall for Apple Watch Series 3 and later paired with an iPhone 6S and later (with iOS 15).
You can read more about watchOS 8 here.
Source: Apple
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