Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2018 kicked off on June 4 and it was surely full of surprises.
CEO Tim Cook unveiled a lot of new upcoming features and upgraded software including the much awaited iOS 12, ARKit 2, macOS, watchOS 5 and more. Here are some of the major highlights from its keynote event till now, which is expected to continue till June 8.
iOS 12
It was long rumored that Apple will reveal its iOS 12 at WWDC 2018 and it did. The new operating system, iOS 12 includes ‘Digital Health Dashboard’ that was already leaked last week and can help curb the smartphone addiction. iOS 12 will also have better performance and stability. Also, users’ phones will no more be slowed down, they will speed up instead.
Memoji
Apple has introduced a new ‘Memoji’ that will let users customize the faces to whatever they’d like to look like, as put by The Verge. With the new ‘Tongue Detection’ mode, users can make emoji with tongues sticking out. In Messages, there are also new Animojis, stickers, text, and a drawing tool built in the app camera.
Group FaceTime
The new iOS also supports Group FaceTime that will let users chat with up to 32 people. They can also FaceTime with their Animoji or Memoji overlay.
Updated Siri
Siri interaction with third-party apps is being improved due to a feature named ‘Siri Shortcuts’ that will let users set app-specific shortcuts to use with Siri. This will let users carry out multiple actions with a short command.
ARKit 2
The augmented reality will have an upgrade. The ARKit 2 can support multiplayer games, as per Mashable.
macOS Mojave
The new version of macOS will ditch Apple’s mountain-themed names, include a new system-wide ‘Dark Mode’, and a redesigned MacApp Store. Apple Safari also upgraded and will minimize websites’ ability to track users, along with preventing ‘comment’ and ‘like’ buttons, similar to those used by Facebook, from tracking users. New screenshot tools, screen recording, Markup tools, ‘Continuity Camera’, ‘Stacks’ are some of the features in the new macOS Mojave.
watchOS 5
The latest watchOS 5 will bring in new features for Apple Watch including automatic workout detection, new modes for hiking and yoga tracking, new run-tracking features, WebKit, and a ‘Walkie Talkie’ feature that lets user to chat with a friend who also has an Apple Watch. Siri will also be more accessible.
tvOS 12
Apple TV and tvOS are also getting updated. A new feature called ‘Zero sign-in’ will automatically detect the cable provider so that the user won’t have to manually sign-in to streaming apps. The Apple TV will also now feature a screensaver of an imagery shot by astronauts in the International Space Station.
However, all these updates won’t be available to users until fall.