Another year, another Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). The past 12 months have thrown up a whole range of questions and topics, covering everything from privacy to innovation.
Apple's flagship announcement from WWDC covered what we can expect when iOS rolls onto our iPhones sometime in late 2021. But focusing only on that means you risk discounting all of the other important topics discussed.
And so, without further ado, here is a list of everything Apple announced at WWDC 2021.
iOS 15
For many iPhone users, announcements for the next version of iOS are more eagerly anticipated than the launch of Apple’s latest device. This year, the company is overhauling several features—with a particular focus on intelligence.
Below is a list of what will change in iOS 15.
FaceTime
Much of the world could only communicate virtually since March 2020, and Apple has announced significant changes to FaceTime.
When away from your friends and family, you can listen to music and watch videos through SharePlay. To begin with, Apple will only support video capabilities with a selection of partners—including HBO and Disney+.
If you want to invite people on a Windows or Android device, iOS 15 will let you create a shareable link.
When in a FaceTime call, you can blur out the background with Portrait Mode. If you’re in a busy area, enhanced voice isolation will ensure that you’re heard. Meanwhile, Spatial Audio will make other people’s voices sound more natural.
Apple Maps
Apple is upping the competition with Google when it comes to Maps. Apple Maps will show more detailed elevation and lanes, along with major landmarks and other city features. At night, the map will even appear moonlit.
Apple Maps will also help users who are walking to get more accurate directions. Users can scan the streets and buildings around them, enabling them to find their way using augmented reality.
Messages
If you use platforms like Twitter and Pinterest, you’ll have become accustomed to the ability to pin posts on your profile. The same is true for WhatsApp, where you can pin conversations.
And when iOS 15 rolls out, you’ll also be able to pin content in your Messages app. You can pin a variety of messages, including articles, weblinks, and photos.
With the soon-to-launch version of iOS, you can also keep better track of everything that others share via message with you. Everything others send you in Messages will feature in a “Shared With You” part of Apple News and other apps.
Intelligence
Apple’s increased emphasis on intelligence goes far beyond its Maps capabilities. The company has integrated artificial intelligence (AI) within several apps and features.
Apple is offering more customization with Memories in the Photos app. You can add music to your favorite experiences based on your tastes and expert recommendations. Moreover, you will benefit from more innovative capabilities with smarter memory identification.
But perhaps the most significant intelligence-based innovation for iOS 15 is Live Text. You will soon be able to copy text from images, allowing you to send emails and texts, call a number, or whatever else you want by tapping text in a photo.
Live Text will start with seven languages, including Simplified and Traditional Chinese, German, Spanish, and French.
Notifications
We got one of our wishes with iOS 15. Apple was already moving towards giving users more control over the notifications they receive. But with iOS 15, it’s significantly upping the ante.
With a notification feature called Focus, Apple will determine if you’re doing something like driving or working out and may ask you if you want notifications turned off for this activity. You can also opt to receive notifications together at a particular time or from particular contacts, allowing you to go through all of them at once.
Focus also allows you to block notifications from users through certain mediums. For example, you can choose to not receive notifications when someone messages you on Slack—but do so when they contact you via WhatsApp instead.
With Focus, users will also see that you’re not currently available in the Messages app—similar to how “Away” works on other messaging platforms.
Weather
The Weather app isn’t considered the most exciting app by many people on their iPhones. But with WWDC 2021, Apple might have made a few more users stand up and listen.
After downloading iOS 15, you’ll see a redesigned Weather app interface. You’ll be able to see a map of the local area, along with viewing data in more of a graphic form. If you use the Dark Sky app, Apple’s new Weather layout will look pretty similar.
AirPods
Besides iOS 15, Apple also announced several updates for its AirPods.
One of the most important is related to conversations. When in a crowded or noisy place, Apple will let you increase the voice of the person you’re speaking to in a real-life conversation.
Moreover, users can reduce the volume of the background noise around them.
This feature, called Conversation Boost, is designed to help people with hearing difficulties.
Find My is one of the most useful apps that Apple has ever introduced. And now, AirPods Max and Pro users will receive a warning notification if they leave their earphones behind somewhere unfamiliar. The feature will work even if the AirPods are in the case.
AirPods users will also be able to hear virtual assistant notifications through their earphones. Moreover, you can receive notifications for food deliveries and more.
iPadOS
Alongside iOS 15, Apple will also introduce new software for supported iPad devices—titled iPadOS15—later in 2021. Though iPads won’t receive as many changes as the iPhone will, Apple still made a few notable announcements.
iPadOS 15 will fine-tune multitasking solutions, with entering Split Screen mode becoming easier. The App Library will also now make an appearance on iPads through the new update.
After downloading iPadOS15, you will also have more Home Screen customization options as Apple introduces widgets to the tablet.
Privacy, Security, and Wallets
Apple also made some important privacy and security announcements at WWDC 2021. Users will find privacy reports for each app on their phone, in which you can see what information each of your apps used in the last week.
You will also have the option to choose what data you share in the Mail app. Meanwhile, you can encrypt your Safari traffic thanks to a new built-in iCloud VPN system as part of iCloud+.
The company also made some interesting Apple Wallet updates. At some point in 2021, customers in a selection of US states will be able to add their state ID into their virtual wallets.
Individuals in those parts of the country will also be able to scan their driver's licenses.
macOS
Titled Monterey, this year’s macOS update will see Safari getting a facelift and the ability to group tabs in a browser. The Focus notification feature that is coming to iOS 15 will also form part of macOS Monterey.
Through the new macOS updates, users can also share their screens when using FaceTime.
Users will soon get to put content they want to save for later in a Quick Note, alongside many other features.
watchOS
At WWDC 2021, Apple also announced that watchOS 8 will soon come to Apple Watch users. A new Mindfulness app will encourage users to calm down during the day, while the Fitness app is getting new workouts.
As is the case elsewhere, watchOS 8 will also introduce the Focus notifications feature. Other additions include a layout change for the Photos app and new watch faces.
There's a Lot to Digest From Apple’s Annual Keynote
To call WWDC 2021 busy is an understatement. Other announcements not mentioned above include:
- Siri becoming available on third-party devices
- Supporting cameras on Apple TV
- Various other HomeKit updates, such as detecting when you receive a package
Apple has upped its game in various areas this year, and iOS 15 looks set to provide users with more intelligence-driven solutions. But areas of improvement elsewhere, such as macOS updates, are also worth keeping an eye out for.
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