Apple WWDC 2018 keynote wrapped up on Monday, June 4 in San Jose, Ca. In their keynote, Apple CEO Tim Cook and his senior staff focused on software, announcing iOS 12, macOS 10.14, watchOS5 and tvOS 12. This year Apple didn’t announce any new hardware this year, even though at the last year’s conference the tech giant gave us a first look at the HomePod, as well as the iPad Pro 12.9 and iPad Pro 10.5. Here’s what’s coming:
iOS 12
According to Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering Craig Federighi the next unsurprising update to your Apple devices’ mobile OS is iOS 12. The digital dashboard is designed to curb over usage of phone. Now, before you go to bed you can set Do No Disturb so you won’t get overwhelmed by too many lock screen bubbles.
Read more Apple Could Release an AR Headset in 2021, Predicts Gene Munster
With Memoji, Apple is following up Samsung’s AR Emoji, which let users customize the faces to whatever they’d like to look like. With “Tongue Detection” mode, you can make Animoji… stick their tongues out.
Apple is drawing a lot of inspiration from Google to improve its Photos; it’s offering search suggestions for specific people, events, or places. There’s also a On This Day reminder similar to Facebook for a picture you took in the past.
In Messages, Apple added new Animoji, stickers, drawing and text tool built into the app camera. In iOS 12, Group Face Time lets you chat with up to 32 friends.
ARKit 2
Apple is teaming up with Pixar to develop a new file format for sharing AR content.
Apple showed off the benefits of the digital and physical worlds merging with a new app dubbed “Measure.” The app lets you use AR to measure the size of items just by dragging a finger across them when your camera is pointed at them.
Read more How Employees are Finding Apple Watch Very Useful at Work
Siri Update
Siri is getting suggestions as well. Based on your smartphone usage behavior, Siri may predict what you may want to do. There’s a new shortcut app that lets you add your own action as well. You can customize an action like an ordering a pizza with all your preferred toppings. You can also combine multiple actions, such as the thermostat setting, what radio station to play, or a text message to your kids letting them know you’re on the way.
WatchOS 5
The new WatchOS 5 will make Apple Watch’s features more social. Soon, you will be able to challenge friends to fitness competitions, get digital awards, and record workouts retroactively in case you forget to press start or if workout tracking doesn’t start automatically.
WebKit featured in watchOS will allow users to browse some websites on their watch, such as a restaurant menu optimized for the tiniest screen Apple sells.
There is also a new Walkie-Talkie feature in the Apple Watch. Once you allow a contact to send you a message, they can just drop in and send you a voice memo.
