Apple (AAPL 0.39%) stock has had a rough month as U.S.-China trade tensions have weighed on shares, sending the stock 15% lower since the beginning of May. But that hasn't stopped the company from executing on its regular product launch schedule. The tech giant announced some new software features at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference during an opening keynote on Monday.
While the event included the usual previews of the newest versions of Apple's operating systems, there were several notable key takeaways worth a closer look.
Apple CEO Tim Cook during the company's 2019 WWDC keynote presentation. Image source: Apple.
Dark Mode for iOS
As expected, Apple unveiled iOS 13, the latest operating system update for the company's iPhones.
"iOS 13 is faster and more responsive with optimizations across the system that improve app launch, reduce app download sizes and make Face ID even faster," Apple said in a press release about the latest iOS version.
The new software will include Dark Mode, a new look with a dark color scheme that is implemented systemwide and in all native apps. Third-party app developers, of course, will also get access to Dark Mode as well.
iOS 13 will be available later this fall, presumably alongside the launch of new iPhone models.
A modular Mac Pro
One surprise during the event was the unveiling of Apple's all-new Mac Pro. The new computer is designed for "maximum performance, expansion and configurability," Apple said in a press release.
At the request of professional end users, Apple designed the Mac Pro from the ground up as a modular system. The powerful computer starts at $5,999 and includes numerous expansion slots and the capability to operate Xeon processors up to 28 cores.
The computer will be available to order this fall.
iPadOS
Apple unveiled an iPad-dedicated operating system for its tablets, helping further differentiate the iPad from the iPhone. The new iPad platform is called iPadOS and builds on the iOS foundation, but adds "powerful new capabilities and intuitive features specific to the large display and versatility of iPad," Apple said in a press release on Monday. More specifically, iPadOS includes a home screen with both apps and widgets, multitasking improvements, and tools to make better use of Apple Pencil.
The dedicated OS for iPad comes as Apple's tablet segment is seeing notable momentum. iPad revenue saw its highest year-over-year growth rate in six years in the company's fiscal second quarter, rising 22% year over year. Further, iPad revenue rose by a double-digit rate in each of the company's geographic segments during the quarter.
The quarter's momentum was propelled by continued strong response to the company's recently redesigned iPad Pro, Apple said.
iPadOS will launch alongside iOS 13 this fall.
