As part of the WWDC, Apple presented many innovations. The new iOS 16 is coming in the fall, and a fresh MacBook Air next month.
Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will take place again from June 6th to 10th. In a keynote, the company presented numerous innovations for its various devices and showed a fresh MacBook Air. These are some of the planned features.
iOS 16 brings new lock screen
The new version of the iPhone operating system iOS 16 allows users to customize their lock screen in more detail. The date and time can be adjusted and a multi-layer effect is intended to emphasize motifs to convey depth. In the future, notifications will run from bottom to top on the screen and live activities should provide real-time updates – for example the status of the pizza delivery person. The “Focus” function can also connect users to the lock screen and determine which content is relevant for a specific focus.
“Messages” are also getting an update. Users can edit or recall messages up to 15 minutes after they were sent. Deleted posts can be restored for up to 30 days. Meanwhile, e-mails can be scheduled in advance for sending or called back a short time after they have been sent. The mail app should also recognize when an attachment is missing or when users are reminded of a specific email at a later date.
With “Live Text” it is possible to recognize text not only in photos but also in videos – and thus translate it or convert currencies. “Visual lookup” lets users simply tap on a photo to automatically cut out a motif and use it in another app. As an example, Apple uses a dog that is automatically cropped from a photo on the beach and can then easily be sent in a message.
Fitness without an Apple Watch
The fitness app will also be available to all iPhone users in future, even if they do not have an Apple Watch. After the update to iOS 16, the smartphone’s motion sensors should track steps or distances covered, among other things.
For all people who have to take medication, it should be possible with the update to also manage medicines or dietary supplements. In addition, the health app should then remind them to take the pills.
In the map app, users can add up to 15 stops to a planned route, and a revised family release should make it easier to create profiles for children. For example, parents can share pictures with their children via a shared iCloud that several people have access to. The photos end up there either manually or, if desired, automatically.
More security for users
New security functions could also be particularly helpful. With “Safety Check”, users can withdraw access previously granted to partners if they are in an abusive relationship.
The so-called “Passkey” function meanwhile generates a digital key that is stored on the device and could possibly replace the well-known password in the future. Users can also log on to websites with their smartphone, which enables access via face recognition or fingerprint.
iOS 16 is scheduled to be released in the fall. However, it is not known exactly when the new version of the operating system will be available to all users. A developer version is expected to be available later today, with a public beta available in July.
New MacBook Air and fresh macOS
In addition, Apple has announced a new MacBook Air that is equipped with a new M2 chip. Its goal: more power with less energy consumption. The device offers a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with thinner edges, which is said to be around 25 percent brighter than its predecessor and displays up to a billion colors. With a thickness of just 11.3 millimeters, it weighs 1.2 kilograms.
In addition, a camera with a resolution of 1080p, three microphones and four speakers are installed. The battery should enable video playback for up to 18 hours and can be recharged using the quick charge function. 30 minutes at the plug to charge the battery up to 50 percent.
The new MacBook Air is available in the colors silver, space grey, midnight and polar star, depending on the version, starting at 1,499 euros. The devices will be delivered from July. A fresh version of the MacBook Pro (13 inch) with an M2 chip will also be available starting next month from 1,599 euros.
The new macOS will be called macOS Ventura and, like iOS 16, will be released in the fall. A developer beta is also available now, with a public beta starting in July. Many of the features already mentioned are also included here. In addition, Apple relies on better cooperation between different devices. For example, “Handoff” will make it possible to seamlessly move Facetime calls back and forth between iPhone and Mac. In future, users will also be able to use their smartphones as an external webcam.
