Apple WWDC 2021: Everything you need to know about Apple’s virtual developers’ conference
Apple’s much-anticipated annual developers conference showed off an impressive bundle of new upgrades but it was missing one big thing.
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Save your money and prepare to upgrade the devices you already own.
That was the message from Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, Australian time, as the tech giant unveiled a giant swag of software upgrades coming for its devices but shocked analysts and fans but showing off no new hardware.
Despite widespread predictions about the release of two new MacBooks using a new generation chip and tips about smart glasses and AirPods, Apple focused entirely on software updates during its two-hour presentation.
But there are plenty of new features to be unlocked for existing Apple devices in software updates that will arrive in beta this July.
They will include FaceTime for Google and Microsoft users, more anti-tracking, privacy additions, and a new way for the hard-of-hearing to tune into conversations.
This is what you need to know about the changes coming to your Apple gadgets.
FRESH IPHONE SOFTWARE
Apple’s upcoming changes to the iPhone could make Zoom, Microsoft and Google very nervous.
Software engineering senior vice-president Craig Federighi unveiled a host of changes to FaceTime at the start of the WWDC keynote, including the revelation that users outside the Apple ecosystem will be able to participate for the first time.
While details are scarce, Mr Federighi said Apple users would be able to create shortened FaceTime links to share with other video call participants … including those outside Apple’s ecosystem.
“It’s not just Apple devices that can use your FaceTime link to join your call,” he said. “Your friends with Android and Windows devices can use your FaceTime link to join the call right from their browser.”
In a bid to make FaceTime a more “lifelike” experience, Apple will also add spatial audio and voice isolation to video calls, give users an option of Portrait Mode to blur their backgrounds, and Share Play to help friends watch the same content from a video streaming service, synchronised.
In addition to FaceTime changes, iPhones will get new notifications under iOS 15, including a notification summary that can be created at opportune moments, and the ability to turn off notifications at busy times during the day.
iPhone users will also be able to select text from photos, such as phone numbers in signs, add work passes to Apple Pay, and Australian users will get access to a redesigned version of Apple Maps before the end of the year.
AIRPODS UPDATE
Some Apple pundits were expecting new earbuds to be unveiled at WWDC but what they will get is new features for existing AirPods.
Apple AirPods Pro users with hearing difficulties will be able to reduce ambient noise in crowded situations using new software, Siri senior engineering program manager Gagan Gupta revealed, and will be able to use a new feature called Conversation Boost to hear more from the people talking in front of them.
“With iOS 15, we have some great new features coming to AirPods, starting with Conversation Boost, which is designed to help people with mild hearing challenges stay more connected in conversation through computational audio and beam-forming microphones,” he said.
“Conversation Boost focuses your AirPods Pro on the person talking in front of you, making it easier to hear and follow along in a face-to-face conversation and help you hear the conversation even better.”
AirPods Pro users will also be able to turn down “ambient noise” in the iPhone menu.
MAC MONTEREY
In a nod to work-from-home life, Apple’s new Mac software updates will turn more gadgets into extra screens.
A Universal Control feature will allow a MacBook user to connect to and control a nearby iMac or iPad, for example, dragging photos to the new devices using their trackpad without the need for a cable or extra controller.
The new Mac update, called Monterey, will also add “tab groups” to Apple’s Safari browser to control and categorise open web windows, will deliver Airplay on the Mac, and will introduce Shortcuts so Mac users can open multiple programs using one command.
ADDED PRIVACY
After adding anti-tracking privacy additions to its software recently, Apple is adding more privacy-focused features to its software in a move that could frustrate marketers and, of course, old rival Facebook.
“We don’t think you should have to make a trade-off between great features and privacy,” Mr Federighi said. “We believe you deserve both.
“When you use the internet and third-party apps you can be tracked by a complex system of data brokers and ad tech firms often without your permission. We don’t think this is right.”
New privacy additions coming to Apple software will include hiding user IP addresses in its Mail app to mask their location and whether they’ve opened a message.
Apple users will also get access to a new App Privacy Report that will show how each third-party app used their data over the last week, such as the camera and microphone, and Siri will now be able to process speech on the device itself.
IPAD CHANGES
Apple’s Pro tablets recently got a big power boost, with the M1 chip, and there are some software changes to make use of them.
The upcoming iPad OS will feature new ways to add widgets to its home screen as well as redesigned, larger widgets for things like Photos and favourite contacts.
Other changes will include a new way to multi-task by accessing a shortcut in the top left corner, and accessing open programs in a new ’Shelf’ menu at the bottom of the screen.
Google’s Translate app will also be made available to the iPad, as well as translation across the whole device when you select text.
WATCH FOR UPDATES
Apple Watch software updates will unlock more health features after a software update.
They will include collecting Watch wearers’ respiration rate during sleep, new workouts for Tai Chi and pilates and, in the US, storing vaccination records.
Other Watch software bonuses will include redesigned Photos and Music apps, rain predictions, and multiple timers.
Originally published as Apple WWDC 2021: Everything you need to know about Apple’s virtual developers’ conference
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