Apple WWDC Event 2021 Live Updates: iOS 15, WatchOS 8, and More
Apple’s WWDC 2021 will commence at at 10 am PDT, ie, 10:30 pm IST, on Monday, 7 June 2021.
Apple has kickstarted Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on Monday, 7 July by announcing a range of new and exciting features on iOS 15, and iPadOS 15.
Last year, Apple announced several new devices and updates including iOS 14, macOS Big Sur and showcased ‘Apple silicon’ chips for its Mac devices.
Apple introduced iOS 15 upgrades to FaceTime
Apple is upgrading features for multi-tasking, bringing widgets and app library to the iPad as well
Apple also announced an iCloud plus subscription service with a focus on privacy.
Apple has also unveiled MacOS Monterey, which brings features such as Universal Control, improvements to Safari, and more.
Follow along right here for all the news as it breaks straight from the event.
Tim Cook is Back
Cook is back on stage, as the first day of the event ends, but without any hardware announcements.
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Announcement For Developers
Apple has now highlighted new technologies for developers to make app creation easier.
Safari 'Redesigned'
Apple has redesigned Safari with simpler tabs, and the URL tab taking less space.
Safari will now have a new tabs group feature where users can create a set of tabs on a single web page. Apple is also bringing web extensions to iPhone and iPad.
MacOS
Apple macOS Monterey will have the new Quick Note, Focus and SharePlay features.
Apple is bringing AirPlay, Shortcuts to Mac as well.
Siri: Third Party Access
This is big! Siri will now have third party access. This means Apple will now allow other accessories to add support for Siri.
Apple HomePod Mini
Apple HomePod mini has been launched in Austria, Ireland and New Zealand. HomePod will function as your TV speaker.
Apple Home Keys
The new HomeKeys feature will allow you to unlock the door, provided it has a Smart Lock with HomeKit compatibility.
WatchOS 8
Breathe app in watchOS 8 will have some improvements. Apple has added Reflect feature to help users reflect on positive emotions and give you a new animation to reduce stress.
WatchOS 8 will also monitor your health while you're sleeping. You will get a notification if your respiratory rate alters while sleeping.
You can also put photos and GIFs on the Apple Watch.
Apple Health
Apple Health App will now display better lab results. The app will display functions such as resting heart-rate, steps, glucose, etc.
Your health will be actively monitored with Trends on what's changing in your body. You can use this data and share with your physician.
Apple iCloud+
Apple's iCloud recovery program will help you can add people you trust to the recovery contact list, who you can contact to help you get back into your devices.
Siri
Apple is upgrading speech recognition to Siri, and will ensure that irrelevant commands won't be recorded and sent to Apple - which is good for privacy.
Privacy
Apple is upgrading its privacy controls. Apple wants to remove any invisible elements which can track your location, IP address on your Mail.
Apple is adding dual privacy protection to prevent senders to seeing you when you open an email.
iPadOS
Users can add alot more widgets to home screen. You will be able to place widgets among the apps on your home screen.
New multitasking control will allow you to open two apps next to each other. A new Shelf feature is introduced, which will enable users to quickly switch between multiple apps.
Drag more than one apps on the screen at once to go split screen.
Apple has also introduced translation feature for iPod. Although, this was already available on iPhones.
AirPods
Gagan Gupta takes the stage now. He introduces, new conversational bot for Apple AirPods Pro.
Conversation Boost with AirPods Pro enables you to focus on the person in front of you by lowering the ambient noise.
Siri will also read out notifications to you. Spatial audio with your AirPods is coming now to your Apple TV. Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos on Apple Music is also announced.
Maps
Maps will have better functionality with Apple adding more details to roads in Maps so that more details such as bus lanes, bike lanes, etc.
Apple Maps will also now offer more details than ever, 3D pathfinding and a full 3D view with verticality.
So, In case you get lost you can use the 3D functionality and the maps will scan the are and lead you which way to go.
Currently this feature is coming to many cities in US like Los Angeles and Washington DC.
Apple Weather
Apple Weather will give insights on on air quality, rain maps and the general UI is expected to change too. Weather app will also show full screen weather maps in iOS 15.
Visual Lookup
Apple is adding Spotlight search similar to Google.
Live Text
Point your camera at any whiteboard and read the text. This function works like Google translate scan feature.
Apple Wallet
New changes coming yo smart homes, you can unlock any door using apple wallet app.
Notifications
Apple introduces customized notification summary, messages won't disturb you. If you're on Do Not Disturb, that will show in messages, or shut off all notifications.
There's a new focus mode as well, where users can customize notifications according to their needs. So, only certain alerts from only certain apps are shown to you.
Apple iOS 15: New Update to Messages
Apple introduces new update. Users will be able to pin any message which is important.
New Updates to FaceTime
Apple introduces Spatial Audio– the amount of voice captured will be improved, to enhance the sound.
Users can also basically blur the background on iPhones. Android devices will also be able to use FaceTime too.
SharePlay - a platform that will allow you to watch videos or play music with your friends. SharePlay will work with Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Twitch, TikTok, Masterclass, and many other apps.
Apple CEO Tim Cook Addresses the Audience
Tim Cook on stage addresses an audience of memojis. He says WWDC 2020 had 25 million viewers
When And How to Watch the Event Online
Apple’s WWDC 2021 will commence at at 10 am PDT, ie, 10:30 PM IST, on Monday, 7 June 2021. The WWDC conference will be live-streamed from the company’s California campus and can be watched on:
Apple's official YouTube channel
Apple’s official website: apple.com
Apple TV app
Apple developer website and application
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