Apple unveiled updates to major OS at WWDC24: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11, and visionOS 2.
WWDC24 wasn’t just about iOS 18 & Co.; AI integration in upcoming devices stole the show. Apple joins Samsung and Windows in the race for AI-powered devices.
So, we’re going to recap what was covered in the conference below.
Highlight #1: Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence was practically the star of the show.
Think Siri on steroids, but focused on proactive assistance. Apple Intelligence, like Microsoft’s Copilot, personalises user experience across Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac) with AI-powered suggestions.
As of now, almost immediately the public already knows what AI is capable of. It is especially true those who are familiar with AI chat bots (e.g., ChatGPT and Google Gemini).
Apple partnered with OpenAI to bring the power of generative AI models to Apple Intelligence. With Apple Intelligence introduced in the Apple devices, users practically have their own personal AI assistant with the power of OpenAI’s ChatGPT on their devices.
There are multiple things users can make us of the Apple Intelligence feature on their devices. Everyday tasks such as setting up calendar events and meetings, calling people, checking the weather, and summarising news updates have been improved with contextual awareness that Apple Intelligence boasts.
Let’s say you need to book a flight based on an email. Apple Intelligence might suggest travel apps and populate them with relevant information including the suitable time to depart from home to the airport based on the average traffic.
So, in hindsight, if you’re using Siri to set alarms, reminders, or any other daily activities, this is definitely helpful. Unfortunately, it’s available only on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models, and other latest flagship devices (iPad Pro and Air, MacBook Pro and Air, iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro).
Apart from contextual awareness the Apple Intelligence feature boasts, the AI also acts similar to how Microsoft Copilot on Windows works: they can be great writing assistants for both leisure and professional purposes.
Users can receive suggestions for grammar, style, and even content based on the context of their work. They can also have the AI translate languages on the fly, transcribe audio recordings in real-time, and summarise lengthy emails for quick comprehension. So, less time spent sifting through emails, and more time for productivity.
Apple Intelligence also lets users generate images based on text prompts. AI-generated images are often than not familiar to the people of this generation, so it’s almost nothing new. But then again, Apple does introduce the Home Screen app arrangement feature that Android already has a long time ago, which we’ll talk more below.
Highlight #2: iOS and iPadOS 18
Apple’s iOS 18 update brings a wave of customisation options to the iPhone. Users can now ditch the grid-based layout and freely arrange apps and widgets anywhere on the Home Screen, as well as setting a theme to change the colour of the icons to match the wallpaper (a feature Android phones already have ages ago).
The Lock Screen gets a similar treatment, allowing users to personalise the buttons for quick access to their most used features. Control Centre also receives an upgrade, offering more controls in a single swipe for convenient access.
Photos receive a major overhaul in iOS 18. Gone are the days of endlessly scrolling through folders — photos are now automatically organised into a single, unified view. Smart collections automatically surface users’ favourite photos, making them easier to find and reminisce over.
iMessage also benefits from this iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 update. Text effects breathe life into messages with dynamic animations for letters, words, phrases, and even emojis. There is also a new feature called ‘Genmoji’ — with Apple Intelligence, users can also create custom emojis, either by generating from existing ones or by using avatars from their own contacts.
iOS 18 also introduces a groundbreaking feature: satellite connectivity in Messages, just like emergency satellite SOS they introduced in previous iOS update. This allows users to stay connected with friends and family no matter how remote their location is.
Though it is only available in United States and some parts of Europe at the moment — it’s not usable anywhere just yet.
Most importantly, iPadOS 18 finally introduces the Calculator application on iPad models. The update not only brings the Calculator application, but overhauls it to tailor the user experience of an iPad, especially with the Apple pencil.
The Calculator app features a Math Notes function that allows users to write mathematical expressions directly on the screen, with the iPad recognising and solving them in real-time.
The Notes application also benefits from this feature, with the introduction of Smart Script handwriting tools. These tools improve the fluidity, flexibility, and overall readability of handwritten notes.
Highlight #3: macOS Sequoia
macOS Sequoia introduces iPhone Mirroring which allows users to directly access and control their iPhone devices from Mac desktops. This means users can view their iPhone’s Home Screen with all their apps, swipe through pages, and launch any app just like on their phone.
The WWDC24 event has also introduced an update for macOS, with the new Sequoia update that brings features focusing on enhanced user experience and seamless integration between Apple devices.
It doesn’t stop there, though. Similar to Windows screen mirroring, users can also use their Mac’s keyboard and trackpad/mouse to interact with iPhone applications, like iMessage or TikTok.
What they have on Windows and Android phones now are available (finally) on Mac and iPhones as well.
Apart from iPhone Mirroring, Safari in macOS Sequoia also boasts a new feature called Highlights, which analyses webpages users visit and extracts key information such as important dates, locations, or contact details.
It’s kind of like asking ChatGPT to summarise long texts for you. That’s what the Highlights feature is.
The new macOS Sequoia also introduces Personalized Spatial Audio feature. What’s unique about this feature is that it utilises spatial filters based on users’ individual head shape (through a quick scan) to create a customised audio experience.
So, in some ways, users have their own sound profile. The customised profile will have different sound experience for users to provide accurate 3D soundscape, enriching that immersive experience for the users.
It remains to be seen, though. As soon as the update rolls out, we’ll see how good the feature will be.
Verdict
There is more to what was covered in the Apple’s WWDC24 event, but the three major highlights were the main focus. There are updates for visionOS (which is the operating system for Apple’s Vision Pro), tvOS (the operating system for Apple TV), and watchOS (the operating system for Apple Watch), but the user base for those devices isn’t as big as the ones using iPhones and Mac devices.
All of these features are expected to roll out sometime this Fall, so it won’t be for long before we can experience them.
Regardless, that is what was covered in the event. If you’re interested in reading about Samsung Live Event instead which was held earlier this March, you can read it here. Otherwise, there’s a whole catalogue of articles that might just suit your interests.
As always, we’ll catch up again at another time.
