During the highly hyped WWDC 2016, Apples keynote address was highly focused on improvements made to software with no improvements in regards to hardware by the time the new improvements were announced. The address covered various aspects such as watchOS, macOS, and tvOS and closed off with iOS.
The company revealed during the address at WWDC that OS X would be rebranded to macOS so that the next version would be called macOS Sierra. The version will be released in July to the public as a beta and the general release being set for the fall. However the company did not provide further details about the new OS beyond its commitment for a continued hands-off experience and changes with regards to iCloud. The features introduced in the new macOS include;
- The ability of users to use their apple watch to unlock their mac
- A universal clipboard that is functional across various devices
- New options to syncoptions on desktops across Mac machines in order to save space
- Addition of apple pay also on the web
- Introduction of Siri for Mac. This has been termed as the biggest addition.
Siri is a voice based virtual assistant which enables the users to search for files and other things on their Macs just by the use of their voice. The app integrates with applications such as apple pay, apple music and can even tell jokes. The assistant is controlled by voice commands of the user though not limited to a single user. Anyone with the phone can control the control using Siri.
IOS 10 with its wide selection of native apps was quite a significant announcement at the address. This new version of Apples tablet and mobile OS was released as a developer preview while the beta version will be out by July whereas the general release will be in the fall.
Apple has integrated some very unique features and even termed the OS as the biggest OS release ever. The features include;
- Redesigned lock screen with richer notifications
- Quicker interaction with apps
- Expanded 3D touch options
- Opening of Siri platform to other third party developers which will enable the users to use Siri for non-native apps and services.
- Bringing of Siri to the native keyboard, inclusion of intelligent suggestions, ability to show information about a contact.
The iOS 10 phot app presents some several key improvements over the previous versions with recognition of face, object and scene which happens directly on the mobile device itself. The maps app also gained a major redesign from the ability to search along the route you are on, place suggestions, better user interface and more comprehensive traffic information. The new feature will be open for third party developers and will also be brought to CarPlay. Users will therefore be able to search for restaurants with an open table or to even book an uber cab from within the maps
Apple music also saw some major improvements in the iOS 10. The app now has a redesigned interface which places the tabs at the bottom, namely, library browse, for you, search and radio. It also spots a new lyrics pane. Apple news also got an uplift in the form a refurbished interface, addition of new lock screen notifications for urgent new and also subscription.
The new feature included in iOS 10 featured improvements in the home kit in addition to the Home app. The home app allows the user to control all devices on the homekit from a single location. The mail transcription feature which is also new, spam detection are innovative additions. The message app also has more improvement with richer link previews, improved camera integration and also the inclusion of iMessage apps which brings the whole messages app drawer to one location which is very helpful to the users. Users can now use integrations like stickers, payments, and more. This version has also brought features such as live photo editing, notes collaboration and slit view on iPad
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For the watchOS, apple is introducing several improvements with the new and improved watchOS 3. Some of the features include, ability to instantly open apps by pre-caching them and also ability to upgrade information on an app in the background. The OS can also scribe i.e. turn handwriting to text. Items such as find my friends and reminders have been brought to the Apple Watch natively and by holding the side button, the watch can call assigned emergency numbers such as 911
The tvOS new version was introduced with the third generation Apple TV with many apps and channels. New feature include addition of fox sports go, sling, NBA 2K and more. It also comes with a new Apple TV remote app that integratesSiri, touch and motion controls. The company is also looking towards bringing a single sign-on feature for easier signing on to bale TV networks.
Conclusion
The 2016 WWDC was a great occasion for Apple introducing some new and essential improvements to their technology. It unveiled a new iPad app called Swift Playgrounds to assist the kids in learning the code. After the event, more improvements were announced such as ability of iOS 10 to hide apps and new file system under development. It’s amazing that this happened in less than 10 minutes.
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