Apple (AAPL 2.15%) kicked off the online version of its Worldwide Developer's Conference (WWDC) on Monday with the widely anticipated shift away from the Intel (INTC +1.14%) chips used by the Mac computer in favor of Apple's own processor. The Apple Silicon chip will offer many of the same features and capabilities that are already available on the iPhone and iPad, including the secure enclave and on-device machine learning, to the Mac.
iOS 14, the iPhone operating system, was the beneficiary of several notable upgrades, including changes to the home screen. It will allow users to choose from widgets, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes, that can be added to the home screen to highlight most used apps. Apple also introduced the App Library, which will automatically organize apps by category to make them easier to find. It will also offer picture-in-picture capability for video for the first time. CarKey will allow users to wirelessly unlock their car.
Image source: Apple.
Siri is also getting an upgrade, becoming less intrusive, appearing in a small pop up rather than taking over the entire screen. The digital assistant can also send audio messages and offers a new translate option in 11 languages, while providing side-by-side conversations in landscape mode. Apple said Siri has been responding to more than 25 billion requests per month.
Apple will also bring new capabilities to the Apple Watch with WatchOS 7, including sleep tracking and a hand-washing timer.
Some of the biggest upgrades came in the form of MacOS Big Sur. The new operating system will offer the biggest redesign since the introduction of MacOS X, according to CEO Tim Cook. This includes the introduction of the control center, a new notification center, and the integration of Maps. It will also include the redesign of Mail, Notes, Photos, and iWork.
