On June 22, 2020, Apple has organized its annual Worldwide Developers Conference(WWDC20) keynote virtually and announced various upcoming major software product upgrades and its features. It was streamed online and the first time without any sitting audience in their auditorium. There were really some big releases at this time from Apple. We are going to discuss these in detail.
iOS 14
iOS 14 is the biggest software update for Apple’s iPhone to date. It will give users a fresh feel and experience.
You can find some major updates like:
App Library – This is a new feature available with iOS 14. The App library creates automatically groups of recently used apps by category and placed it to the Home screen. It means you can see all your social media apps in one place and music apps together in folders. This way apps you use all the time become even more intelligent, more personal, and more private. We have seen this feature in Android devices already.
App Widgets – In iOS 14, you may see new icons for the apps. It has now more attractive and informative widgets, fresh look, and a new feel. It will improve user experience to be even more helpful and personal.
App Clips – Just like Android’s Instant App, Apple has introduced a new iOS 14 feature to use most of the apps even without downloading it on your phones. This is cool, Apple is parodying Google’s footprint.
Siri – We all have talked with Siri once just for asking about the current time. Just to listen to Siri’s cool voice. In iOS 14 she has got a major software update with a new interface. Now Siri would not take your full screen to listen to your commands. she has a floating cool icon now. She is more intelligent than before and can show you results from web searches, support many languages and you can send audio clips to your friends and families with Siri new features.
Safari – Safari mobile browsers also have new features like in-page translation, password monitoring, and privacy reporting. By privacy reporting tool, you can check which websites using your data and for what purpose. It is claimed that the Safari browser is the world’s fasted mobile browser by Apple.
Picture-in-Picture Support – iOS 14 supports Picture-in-Picture(PiP) mode. It means you can keep watching videos or continue your FaceTime call while you use another app easily. Like in Android we use Google Maps that support PiP. Giant messaging application Whatsapp also uses PiP support for video and photos.
Apple Maps – Maps is the best way to navigate and explore the world. Apple maps have a major refreshment in its features. It has a new map design for cycling direction and EVs. It will get a view that lets EV drivers know where chargers are along their routes. Apple Maps now offer Guides for great places around the world to eat, shop, and explore.
Compact Call – If you are using any apps and get a call then instead of showing the call window in the whole screen it will show an only small screen like notification having call receive and reject buttons.
Custom Memoji – You can create, modify, and share custom Memoji. You can use fash mask Memoji now. Along with new-age options and face coverings, choose from over 20 new hair and headwear styles to reflect your hobby, profession, and personality.
Unlock your car with iPhone – You can unlock and start your car by using Apple’s iPhone. With the collaboration of CarPlay Apple has come with this new technology.
Supported iPhones – Below devices have compatibility with iOS 14:
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone SE (1st generation)
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- iPod touch (7th generation)
watchOS 7
We have got a lot of new functionality in Apple’s watchOS 7. This is also a big software update to compete with its competitors like Fitbit. This will make a great user experience. Let’s have a look at the new features-
Sleep Tracking System – watchOS 7 has a new feature that can detect your sleeping behavior. It uses motion sensors, heart-rate sensors, and microphones to detect the sleeping nature and can send the alert to the user to have asleep. It also shows the report that how much time you have slept in the past week.
Handwashing detection – We all are going through the pandemic of COVID-19 this year and washing our hands is very necessary to avoid the Coronavirus. watchOS 7 has that technology that can detect the number of times a user has washed their hands.
Sleep Mode – When you go to bed, your watch automatically turns on Do Not Disturb and keeps your screen from waking.
Siri – watchOS 7 has a major update on Siri’s application that can support up to 10 languages. She is now more intelligent than ever before and give better results in a moment of time.
Watch Faces – will now be more customizable, elegant, powerful, and discoverable than ever.
Compatibility – watchOS 7 requires iPhone 6s or later with iOS 14 or later and one of the following Apple Watch models:
Apple Watch Series 3
Apple Watch Series 4
Apple Watch Series 5
Note: Not all the featured are supported on all devices. Click here to check your model.
Apple TV
Major Upgrades :
Apple TV is getting Multiuser Support. Now you will be able to make a new profile for another user so that your progress cannot be lost.
Picture-In-Picture Support – Yes just like any mobile device, now your TV will also have a PIP mode for multitasking.
Apple TV will now support Adjustable Brightness according to your HomeKit-enabled lights.
iPodOS 14
Scribble with Apple Pencil allows users to write in any text field where it will automatically be converted to typed text, making actions like replying to an iMessage or searching in Safari fast and easy.
Search option on iPad has also been rebuilt allowing users to start search from anywhere.
Apple announces Mac transition to Apple silicon:
Yes! Apple is going to launch its own ARM-based Silicon chip for its Mac computers by the end of this year. Citing it as a historic day for Apple, Tim Cook announced it will transition the Mac to its world-class custom silicon to deliver industry-leading performance and powerful new technologies.