Major announcements from Apple’s WWDC20 keynote

Missed Apple’s presentation? Here’s the lowdown on what happened
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Tim Cook, Apple WWDC20. Credit: Apple. License: Supplied Art

23 June 2020

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is completely online this year, but that does not mean the company held back on its announcements. Since there was no live audience to interrupt the keynote with applause, hoots, and hollers, Apple covered a ton of ground at a brisk pace during its two-hour presentation on Monday. You can watch the keynote in its entirety online, but if you do not have the time, find out what happened in our summary below.

Macs switch to Apple ARM CPUs

Apple WWDC20 ARM switch Mac. Credit: Apple

It has been rumoured for a while, but Apple’s announcement that it will switch from Intel processors to its own silicon was the final segment of the keynote, saving the biggest news for last. Apple CEO Tim Cook said that Apple has planned for a two-year transition, with the first ARM-based Mac coming later this year.

Apple has a kit available for third-party software developers to create software that can natively run on ARM-based Macs. The company also revealed Rosetta2, technology that will allow users to run software originally created for Intel-based Macs.

macOS 11 Big Sur

Usually, the Mac is a short section of the WWDC keynote. This year, it is front and centre, thanks mostly to the ARM switch. But there are also big changes coming to macOS this year. The next version of macOS is called Big Sur, and its officially version 11.

If you felt like macOS was started to look a little tired, you’re in for a treat with Big Sur. It features a revamped user interface, with reworked menus, app sidebars, and app icons. Notification Centre has improved functionality, and Control Centre—a main UI element for iPhones and iPads—is now available on the Mac.

Apple used its Mac Catalyst technology to convert the iOS versions of Maps and Message to new Mac versions. And Safari has a slew of new features, including improved speed, start page customisations, improved support for Extensions, and new privacy features.

iOS 14

This is the iOS update that longtime iPhone uses have been aching for, mostly because it has a feature that is long overdue: A new Home screen. Apps can be automatically grouped together in a screen called the App Library. You can add widgets to your Home screen for quick access to the information you need.

iOS14 app library WWDC20. Credit: Apple

Siri gets some updates, with a new interface and new incorporation in a Translate app that can translate written and spoken words in real time. Translate works completely on the device to maintain your privacy.

Apple has brought the iPad’s picture-in-picture feature over to iOS. If you are watching a video or making a FaceTime call, the video screen will be in a persistent box, regardless of the app you are using.

iPadOS 14

Last year, Apple introduced iPadOS, a version of iOS that is designed for use on Apple’s tablet. With version 14, iPadOS continues to evolve with features specific to the iPad.

Apple is changing the design language of the iPadOS so that app can take better advantage of the platform. Apps will stop looking like iOS versions that were brought over to the iPad. You will see better implementations of sidebars, toolbars, and menus.

Apple iPadOS14 universal search springboard WWDC20. Credit: Apple

iPadOS 14 has improved Apple Pencil support, specifically for handwritten text. Apple is bringing over its Scribble handwriting recognition engine, so you can write in apps as well as input fields, and the iPad will be able to recognise it.

Many of the new features in iOS 14 are coming to iPadOS, such as the revamped Siri interface, App Clips, and redesigned widgets. However, iPadOS is not getting the App Library feature.

watchOS 7

The next version of the Apple Watch operating system has some major new features. The main new feature is sleep tracking. It can track how much sleep you get, and also has a “wind down” function.

WatchOS 7 sleep health app WWDC20. Credit: Apple

In this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, Apple has created a new feature to help you wash your hands. It can sense when you’re doing so, and start a 20-scoend time to make sure you wash properly.

Other new watchOS 7 features include the ability to share watch faces with others, a new Dance workout, and an enhanced Noise app to help protect your hearing.

Apple HomeKit WWDC20. Credit: Apple

HomeKit

The smart home is an ever-growing market for Apple, and the company made several improvements to the Home app and the underlying HokmeKit technology. Among the features introduced were:

  • Support for adaptive lighting
  • Facial recognition for security cameras
  • The ability to create tracking zones for security cameras
  • Live streams of security cameras

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