Apple WWDC 2018 Highlights: iOS 12, WatchOS 5, MacOS Mojave Announced

Apple’s annual developer conference Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2018 kicked off today. Apple CEO Tim Cook took the centre-stage to announce the next-generation of the software for the family of its devices including the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch, Macs, and Apple TV. The iOS 12, which has been the much-anticipated version, was detailed by Cook at the keynote address at the San Jose McEnery Convention Centre.

As expected, iOS 12 focuses on stability and performance; but Apple made quite a few other surprise announcements regarding the new iOS. During the keynote, Apple also announced its new watchOS 5, tvOS 12, and macOS Mojave. We’ll look at all the new features of the softwares below. The software updates announced today will be available to users during fall, whereas a developer beta versions were made available right after the keynote address.

iOS 12: Availability

iOS 12 beta for developers is available now.Apple stated that all devices that were able to update to iOS 11 will be able to update to iOS 12 as well. iOS 12 beta for consumers will likely become available in late Summer, though Apple didn’t make any official release announcements.

iOS 12: what’s new

Performance

Apple stated that one of its biggest focuses for iOS 12 is to optimize the system when it’s under a heavy load. Apps are currently launching twice as fast with iOS 12 in Apple’s testing, so let’s hope those stats hold in the public release. Also, with iOS 12, your phone will pay attention to sudden needed performance boosts. When needed, the central processing unit (CPU) will ramp up instantly then ramp back down just as quickly in order to preserve battery.

Managing Smartphone Addiction & Digital Health

Apple introduced a new feature called Screen Time. Screen Time will give you a weekly activity summary detailing how you use your iPad or iPhone. This will include how much time, in which apps, during what times of day, and much more. This will also allow you to limit how much time you spend in apps, going so far as to kick you out when the time limit is up.

Big AR updates

Beginning with the features of iOS 12, the successor to the iOS, brings a revamped Augmented Reality functionalities onboard. Apple has worked with Pixar to create a new file format for AR apps called USDZ. USDZ will bring Universal Scene Description, Open File Format, and more. The first few companies that will support the new file format includes Adobe, Autodesk, and Quixel among others.

AR now comes with a new app called Measure – basically, an overlay in that will measure the objects in the camera in real time.

Siri shortcuts

There weren’t any major updates to Siri, but Apple is deepening its integration with third-party apps, thanks to a new feature called Siri Shortcuts, which lets you set app-specific shortcuts to use with the assistant.

watchOS 5

The Apple Watch is getting a ton of new workout-focused features with the next version of watchOS. Among them: automatic workout detection, so the watch will still track your workouts when you forget to start it yourself, as well as new modes for hiking and yoga tracking.

Additionally, new run-tracking features helps you keep better track of stats from your runs, including the ability to track your step cadence and rolling mile pace. Apple Watch owners can also compete in Fitbit-style activity competitions, which rewards whoever is able to close their Activity Rings first.

If you have friends who also have an Apple Watch, you’ll soon have a new way to communicate. Apple’s adding a “walkie talkie” feature that lets you, well, use your Apple Watch to chat with friends like a walkie talkie.

macOS Mojave

The macOS Mojave brings the Dark Mode onboard to the macOS, a feature that Mac users have been longing for a long time. The Dark Mode will apply to all the apps as well as to the wallpapers that will change colours accordingly. The Xcode app, too, supports the Dark Mode now, which is a bliss for the developers.

There are also new screenshot tools, which makes working with screenshots more similar to iOS with screenshot thumbnails appearing immediately in the corner of the screen after you take them. Screen recording and Markup tools will also be built into screenshots. once you take your screenshots, they don’t have to clutter up your desktop anymore, with a new feature called “Stacks,” which can automatically organize cluttered desktops by grouping like files together.

Next up is Continuity, which has been available on iOS and macOS for a long time. Continuity is receiving updates with macOS Mojave with the introduction of Continuity Cameras that will show photographs on the Mac immediately after getting captured on the iPhone.

Apple announced new privacy-centric features meant to reduce websites’ ability to track you. In a moment of not-so-subtle shade at Facebook, Apple’s Craig Federighi detailed how the new version of Safari will prevent comment and like buttons, like those used by Facebook, from tracing users.

Apart from this Apple News, Voice Memo, and Stocks apps are coming to the Mac with the macOS Mojave – which also introduces a new design language to the App Store on Mac.

tvOS

You can now access Dolby Atmos content with your Apple TV.Apple also announce a new “Zero Sign-on” program with some cable companies that mean you’ll automatically download all the right apps when you plug in your Apple TV. You won’t even have to sign in with them. Which must seem like a bit of a snooze, but it’s actually the most exciting Apple TV news we heard today.