Janet Ingber
Apple held its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 22, 2020. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference was, for the first time, entirely virtual. Many new operating systems and their new features were introduced during the keynote address.
Tim Cook, Apple CEO, began the address by announcing the company's Racial Equity and Justice Initiative. , "Starting with the United States and expanding over time this initiative will challenge systemic barriers that limit opportunity for communities of color in the areas of education, economic equality, and criminal justice," Cook said. Apple is committing $100 million to the initiative. Cook announced a new Developer Entrepreneur Camp for Black developers. He added, "We want to do everything we can foster the brightest and best ideas. At Apple, our mission has always been to make the world a better place and we're committed to being a force for change."
Cook stated, "Our world is also battling a virus that is affecting the daily lives of billions of people. We want to thank the dedicated people everywhere, especially our health care workers, who have made tremendous sacrifices to take care of those in need."
iOS 14
The next operating system for the iPhone is iOS 14. If you currently can run iOS 13, you will be able to upgrade. Updates and new features in this version of the operating system are discussed below.
Mail and Safari
With iOS 14, iPad OS 14, and macOS 12 Big Sur, it will be possible to use a different email app and a different browser as defaults instead of Apple Mail and Safari. The change will appear on all devices.
Home Screen
iOS 14 allows for more customization and the Home Screen is getting a makeover. You will be able to place Widgets there and Widgets can be different sizes. In addition, the Smart Stack feature can organize Widgets based on your activities or schedule.
Apps
In iOS 14, you can hide infrequently used apps. The new app library will automatically organize all the apps installed on your device. At the top of the library you will find a search box. There will also be a list of apps you might need and a list of most recently added apps. Apps will be sorted alphabetically and by category.
Siri
If you ask Siri for information, the results will appear at the top of the screen like a notification. Siri's actions will appear at the bottom of the screen. Siri's knowledge base continues to increase.
Audio messages can be sent with Siri in iOS 14. The Siri dictation feature will be able to run completely on the device. Finally, Siri's translate feature will offer more languages.
Calls
When a phone call or FaceTime call comes in, relevant information will appear at the top of the screen like a notification. This feature is also available on the iPad. So far, no information has been given on how this will work with VoiceOver.
Translate
Translate is a new app that allows for conversation with people who do not speak the same language. It's not a foreign language dictionary, but meant for use in conversation. When you speak, your words are translated automatically into the desired language.
Messages
One of the main new features in the Messages app is the ability to control group texts. For example, you can choose to receive a notification only when you are mentioned. There are more Memoji options and you can pin the most important message at the top of the messages list. The new Messages features will also be available on the iPad and Mac.
Maps
The Maps app will have many updates, including features for bicyclists and users of electric cars. There will also be weather information, and guides that include places to eat and explore for some cities around the world. Apple Maps will also show green zones and areas of congestion.
App Clips
iOS 14 will include app clips, which give very quick access to the features of an app. The clip gives specific information that you need at that moment. For example, if you are looking for somewhere to eat, there is an app clip just for that. App clips may be used immediately or stored in the app library. App clips can be found through bar codes, NFC codes, and links in Safari or Messages. If you prefer, the full app still may be downloaded from the App Store.
iPad OS 14
In addition to new features in iOS 14 for both the iPhone and iPad, there are new features in iPad OS 14 that are only for the iPad. The following iPads can use iPad OS 14:
- iPad Air 2 and later
- iPad Pro (all models)
- iPad 5th generation and later
- iPad mini 4 and later
Apps such as Photos, Files, and Notes will have a sidebar. Toolbars have been redesigned. The screen in the Music app will display controls, artwork, and lyrics simultaneously. The search feature has been redesigned, allowing the user to perform a search anywhere including over an app. Information such as websites and contacts can be easily accessed. Scribble with the Apple Pencil will be available in iPad OS 14. This feature allows you to use the Apple Pencil to write text anywhere you can enter it and it will be converted to typed text for you.
AirPods
AirPods automatically detectwhich device you are using. When you start using a different device, they will change to that new device. In addition, AirPods Pro will have Spatial Audio. This will simulate the sound of being in a movie theater and will not be affected by movement.
Watch OS 7
This new operating system will work on Apple Watch Series 3 and later. New features and updates are discussed below.
Complications
With this update to the operating system, Complications will have the ability to display more information. Additional faces will also be added and a Siri Shortcut can be added. You can get faces with complications already added. You will also be able to share a Watch face. App developers will be able to offer pre-configured Watch faces.
Maps
This year, one main update for maps on the Apple Watch was announced: information for cyclers will be included.
Fitness
New fitness categories will be added including functional training, core workouts, and dance. The iPhone's Activity app will be renamed to Fitness. The app will be redesigned to give quicker access to information.
Sleep Tracker
Your Apple Watch can be used as a sleep tracker. There are different features you can set prior to going to bed to help you get into a sleep routine. You will be able to have your watch remind you to charge it. The watch can track features such as movement while you were asleep and how long you were asleep.
Siri
Siri will be able to do language translation directly on the watch, which will speed up the process.
Hand Washing
In this time of COVID-19, your Apple watch can remind you to wash your hands. When washing hands, the watch can let you know if you have washed long enough. Also, Siri can remind you to wash your hands when you get home.
Privacy
You will be able to use Sign In With Apple even when you already created an account with your own email and password. If you wish, you can share only your approximate location with apps. If an app is using your microphone or camera, it will be noted in the status bar. Apps will need to get permission to track you on apps and websites owned by other companies. For each app, in all App Stores, there will be highlights of their privacy policy.
HomeKit
Apple formed an alliance with Amazon, Google, and other manufacturers to define an interoperability standard for Smart homes. All Apple HomeKit home devices work with this new standard. With iOS 14, after you add a home device, the Home app will give automation suggestions. If you tagged people in your photos, cameras can recognize their face. HomePod will announce the person' s name as well. Activity zones can be created for your cameras so they only detect motion outside the zones.
tvOS 14
With this update, Apple TV will have multi-user support for gaming. Xbox Elite 2 and Xbox Adaptive Controllers will also be supported. Picture-in-picture also will be available.
Mac
The new Mac operating system is macOS 12 Big Sur. To determine if your Mac will support this update, visit the Big Sur preview page.
The Dock has been redesigned, app icons will have a new look, and Finder has had a makeover. Native apps such as Mail and Photos have been redesigned for easier access through sidebars and toolbars. The menu bar has been updated and the Mac will be getting its own Control Center. The Notification Center will have notifications and widgets on the same screen. Related notifications will be grouped together. There have been improvements to Catalyst, which is used to create a Mac app from an iOS app. Developers will have new tools to create their apps. Safari will have enhanced privacy options. More extensions will be added. You will be able to customize your Safari start page. Translation can be done from within Safari. Familiar Mac sounds, including the startup chime, will be part of macOS Big Sur. Although there was a way to enable the chime with Terminal, that will not be necessary with Big Sur.
New Mac Processors
Apple will begin using their own processors for the Mac instead of buying them from Intel, as they did for many years. Apple already uses their own processors for other products such as iPad and iPhone. According to Apple, this will improve speed, battery life, and will give off less heat. Apple will give developers new tools to convert their apps for this new processor. Macs with the Apple chip should begin shipping at the end of 2020 and transition to the new chip will take approximately two years. Apple will continue to support Macs with the Intel chip.
Public betas for the new operating systems will be available in July. Final releases will be available in the fall.
Accessibility
Unfortunately, there was no audio description provided for the visual information presented during the keynote, such as demonstrations of operating system features.
VoiceOver and accessibility were not mentioned during the WWDC keynote, but there were accessibility sessions during the conference. Though it wasn't mentioned during the keynote, Apple has shown their commitment to accessibility. I anticipate that this trend will continue. Once the new operating systems are released, I will be back with information on how to use them.
This article is made possible in part by generous funding from the James H. and Alice Teubert Charitable Trust, Huntington, West Virginia.
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