Apple hosted its annual WWDC event this evening where the company showcased the latest it has on offer from a software point of view. The company detailed all the new features we can look forward to across iOS 16, WatchOS 9, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura and more. The company also announced new MacBook devices with its new M2 chips. Here’s everything you might have missed during WWDC 2022.
iOS 16 Brings a New Lock Screen
Apple is completely revamping the iPhone lock screen for iOS 16. The new lock screen will now enable users to add widgets to their phone, set up specific lock screen layouts and even make use of individually crafted designs from Apple. If you have used an Apple Watch before, this new layout will look familiar. Using the Apple ML system, you can also set portrait photos as your lock screen and hide a bit of the time being your subject in the photo. Apple is also tieing the lock screen to Focus activities too. So you can now set up a lock screen tied to a specific Focus mode.
iOS 16 is also moving all notifications to the bottom of the lock screen so they no longer take over the photo. This helps with the new interactive wallpapers including a weather skin that will automatically adjust the lock screen to your current weather.
But iOS 16 comes with other features too. Here are some key changes and features headed to iOS 16.
- Live Activities and widgets on the lock screen
- Widgets, cards and more details on the lock screen
- New on-system Dictation
- Edit and undo messages in iMessage
- Apple Pay integration across apps
- New Family Sharing system with checklist system and iMessage integration
- Apple Pay later in iOS 16 in supported regions
- Apple Pay for transit with iPhone in supported regions
- Safety Check system across iOS devices allows users to revoke access to location sharing, iCloud account and more
- New Parental Controls include time away and location sharing
- iCloud Photo Sharing integration across apps
- Copy and paste photo details into messages
- Copy text from a video anywhere on iOS 16
- Custom Spatial Audio
- Rapid Security Response
- Next-Generation of CarPlay
- Multistop Routing on Maps
- Quick Note
- Filter by Focus
- Redesigned Home App
- Activity App without an Apple Watch
- Medications system
- New Spotlight search and features
WatchOS 9
Apple is bringing new Apple Watch faces to WatchOS 9 alongside a revamped Siri UI. The new Moon Phase face follows the Islamic calendar. There’s also a new animated face, Earth view and more.
WatchOS 9 is also revamping the running workout by adding new heart rate zones to the app. You can also now set up your own custom workout where users can adjust different zones to reach during a set run or cycle. The Apple Watch will then alert you when it is time to rest or exceed the current heart rate.
Sleep Stages will now use the Apple Watch hardware to track what sleep stage you enter and how long you stay in the stage before being woken up. The app will also detail what each stage is and how you can have a better rest by focusing on each stage.
Apple is rolling out a new Medications system on Apple WatchOS 9. Users can now log their medications on their watch and how often they take them. You can then set up a schedule to be reminded when to take your medication. The Apple Watch app then lets you quickly confirm you took the dose. This feature also works on iOS 16 without an Apple Watch.
- Cardio recovery
- Custom workouts
- Running form metrics
- Home keys for family
- Multisport workouts
- Heart rate zones
- Dogs and Cats in Portrait face
- Afib history
- Kickboard detection
- Expanded keyboard languages
- Sleep stages
- Custom colour for Watch faces
- Cross-device connectivity
- New calendar app
- Medications App
MacBook Air and MacBook Pro M2
Apple’s new M2 SoC will arrive first on the new MacBook Air. Apple is also adding the M2 SoC to the 13-inch MacBook Pro. The new MacBook Air model is a somewhat redesign that includes a larger display that is 25% brighter than the previous model. It is only 11.3mm thin and comes in four new finishes including a new midnight black model. As for the specs, users can kit their MacBook Air M2 with up to 2TB of storage with up to 24GB of RAM. The CPU includes up to 10-Core GPU and 8-core CPU.
macOS Ventura
Lastly, Apple announced its new desktop and notebook operating system macOS Ventura. The new OS aims to deliver new intuitive window movement across the system. One way of doing this is Stage Manager. Now users can pull up to see all their windows but instead of all their open windows scattered across the screen, Stage Manager groups them into neat piles. Users can then drag and drop content between them and even sort through the open windows.
Spotlight is also being reworked. Users can now search photos on Spotlight, copy text and even Quick View results without actually opening the item.
Apple is adding a new Reminder system to Mail where users can set a timer to be reminded about a reply. Mail is also getting a new search feature with typing corrections and advanced search options.
Apple is investing in gaming a bit more in macOS Ventura. With Metal 3, the company will now increase the resolution and frame rates across games by using machine learning. Yes, it sounds very similar to FidelityFX because it is. However, these features are limited to M1 and M2 Mac devices which is great for gamers looking for a new place to play on. Capcom announced that Resident Evil Village is headed to M1 and M2 devices later this year. In addition, No Man’s Sky is also coming our way. Both games will make use of the new Metal advancements across macOS Ventura.
- Rich links in Mail
- Undo send in Mail
- FaceTime Handoff
- Revamped System Settings
- New Clock App
- Stage Manager
- Metal 3 advancements
Catch up on the entire event by rewatching the live stream below.
