iOS 16 was announced earlier this week, and it certainly has much more to offer than what was previewed at the WWDC 2022. Two reports have suggested that Apple’s upcoming OS for iPhone will have multiple new APIs, including one that enables walkie-talkie capabilities for third-party apps. The feature, its workings, and how developers can implement it on their apps, was reportedly demonstrated in a session at WWDC 2022. iOS 16 will also have another feature that will allow users to transfer eSIM connections between iPhones via Bluetooth.
The development about the walkie-talkie capabilities come from a report by 9to5mac, which says that the API is called “Push to Talk”. In layman’s words, the API allows developers to add a walkie-talkie to their iOS apps. With this, audio messages can be sent and played in real time with a tap of a button, even when an app with this capability is running in the background.
As per the report, users will be able to see “communication at the top of the screen”, and the app icon as well as the name of the person communicating will be shown on top. It will also allow options to reply in real time with audio or leave the conversation. Push to Talk reportedly works for individual as well as group conversations. It is to be noted that Apple already has a walkie-talkie app that comes pre-installed in watchOS 5.
The second development comes from MacRumours in which it is reported that iOS will allow an eSIM to be transferred between iPhones via Bluetooth. This capability can be accessed in the Settings app on an iPhone running iOS 16. Go to Settings > Set up eSIM and it will show an option to transfer an eSIM and its associated phone number from another iPhone via Bluetooth. For this to work, Apple says, the other iPhone should be nearby, unlocked, have Bluetooth turned on, and should be running iOS 16 or later. Apparently this feature is available in multiple countries, however, it needs the carriers to support the feature.
Apple has been developing a mixed reality headset for a while now. It is believed to offer a combination of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experiences. Reportedly, Apple has teamed up with famous Hollywood directors to develop mixed reality content. Now, it is being reported that Apple could unveil this device at a special event, which could be held at the start of the next year. It is highly unlikely that the Cupertino company would reveal this upcoming mixed reality handset during the ongoing Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2022 keynote event.
According to a post shared on Twitter by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple could start EVT testing of the mixed reality headset around Q3 2022. This is expected to be followed by a special media event that could be held in January 2023. Apple might then take two to four weeks to deliver the development toolkit. Kuo suspects that due to the interruptions caused by the lockdowns in Shanghai, the mixed reality headset’s shipments might postpone to Q2 2023. The Cupertino company is expected to make these headsets available for pre-ordering around the same time. Finally, Apple’s mixed reality headset is expected to hit the shelves before WWDC 2023.
Past reports suggest that Apple could be developing new VR and AR-powered Apple apps and services. It could be working on creating a new platform for third-party developers. Apple could even release a new version of SwiftUI for developers to build AR and VR apps. Its operating system is expected to be named realityOS. As previously mentioned, Apple could be teaming up with Hollywood directors such as Jon Favreau for creating mixed reality content for the Prehistoric Planet series on Apple TV+. This headset is supposed to cost around $2,000 (roughly Rs. 1,55,500). Apple is believed to have ambitions of replacing iPhones with mixed reality headsets in a decade.
This week on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast, we discuss iPhone 13, new iPad and iPad mini, and Apple Watch Series 7 — and what they mean to the Indian market. Orbital is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
iOS 16 will not make its way to the iPhone models that are older than the iPhone 8, Apple has confirmed following the announcement of its new iOS release. This simply means that if you have an iPhone 7, iPhone 6s, or the original iPhone SE, you will not be able to experience iOS 16. Similarly, Apple has silently removed the Apple Watch Series 8 from the list of compatible Apple Watch models for watchOS 9. Both the new iOS and watchOS releases — alongside iPadOS 16 and macOS 13 Ventura — will be available for testing under public betas in July and will be released as free software updates for eligible hardware later this year.
The iPhone 6s series was launched back in 2015, while the iPhone 7 models and the iPhone SE came in 2016.
However, despite being dated, all these models received iOS 15 last year. This is unlike how various Android smartphone makers treat their existing users as they often pull software update support for their older models. Nevertheless, companies including Google and Samsung have started making a change on that front by promising to seed software upgrades for up to four years and security updates for up to five years to their select models.
The list of devices that are ineligible to receive iOS 16 also includes the iPod touch (7th generation) — the last-generation iPod. The iPod touch (7th generation) debuted relatively later in May 2019.
With the Apple Watch Series 3 becoming ineligible for the update, the Apple Watch Series 4 has become the oldest model in the Apple Watch family to receive watchOS 9.
If you own any of the dated Apple devices, you are now forced by the Cupertino company to upgrade to a newer hardware to get the latest software experience. But nonetheless, Apple is expected to continue to provide security updates to some of the devices that are ineligible to receive the latest software.
Separately, Apple announced at its WWDC 2022 keynote on Monday that public beta releases of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, watchOS 9, and macOS Ventura will be available to users for testing in July. Exact release dates are yet to be revealed, though.
Before giving the new software versions as public betas, Apple has released its new iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and macOS Ventura for developers who have signed up for the Apple Developer Program. The company has brought the first developer preview tvOS 9, without any pomp and show.
Apple unveiled iPadOS 16 as its new software release for the iPad at the WWDC 2022 keynote on Monday. The new iPadOS release comes with a redesigned multitasking interface that is aimed to help enhance productivity. It brings the ability to overlay app windows just like how you can on a Mac or Windows machine. Similar to iOS 16, iPadOS 16 includes updates including Live Text and the updated Messages for iPad users. The new release also includes support for games developed using Metal 3 engine.
iPadOS 16 availability
Apple has initially released iPadOS 16 for developers who are a part of the Apple Developer Programme. The new iPadOS release will also be available to users through a public beta next month. Moreover, iPadOS 16 will be available as a free software update for the iPad (5th generation and later), iPad mini (5th generation and later), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), and all iPad Pro models this fall.
iPadOS 16 features
Continuing to silently bridge the gap between the MacBook and iPad, Apple has introduced its new multitasking interface on iPadOS 16, called Stage Manager, that is also available to Mac machines through macOS 13 Ventura. It allows users to access multiple apps on the iPad simultaneously by overlaying them one over another. The experience even grows further when you connect your iPad to an external display. This is an upgrade over the existing interface where users are allowed to access apps in a full-screen view like the one on an iPhone or access two apps side-by-side that Apple calls Split View. Further, there is an option to slide over an app from the side, which is called Slide Over.
The iPadOS 16 update will also enable users to resize app windows like on a Mac or a Windows laptop. This feature is, though, exclusive to the iPad models that are powered by the M1 chip. This means that you won’t get the new experience if you don’t own the latest iPad Air or iPad Pro.
iPadOS 16 features at a glance Photo Credit: Apple
Users on the iPad with the M1 chip also gets Collaboration to let users collaborate on different tasks. Users can access the feature through the Notes, Safari, Keynote, and other preloaded apps on the iPad. The Collaboration feature is also coming to iOS and macOS later this year, Apple said.
Apple has also brought an app called FreeForm to enhance the collaboration experience. It lets users share files, jot notes, or create diagrams with others. Developers will also get a new API to integration Collaboration into their apps.
Similar to iOS 16, iPadOS 16 comes with Live Text and Visual Look Up. The new release also includes the Home app with an all-new design and support for Matter. Further, the iPadOS update brings the new Messages app that is available through the new iOS release to let users edit or recall a text message.
For gamers, iPadOS 16 brings an enhanced gaming experience that supports Metal 3. The company has also brought a Background download API that allows users to multitask while the game download completes. Gamer Centre has also received Activity to the dashboard to let users look at the performance of their friends. The activity of users will also appear on the Game Centre profile of users. Further, multiplayer games played via Game Centre can access SharePlay to start a session with your friends.
Apple said that all the updates to Game Centre will be available to users as an update on iPadOS 16 later this year. The features will also be available to iOS and macOS users in the future.
The iPadOS 16 update also carries Live Text updates that are coming to the iPhone through iOS 16. Similarly, there is the updated Family Sharing feature to help users add new age-restricted features. The new iPadOS release also includes the updated Home app with an improved interface and lock screen widgets.
Apple introduced Quick Note, which was previously available to the Mac, to let you quickly write notes. The new iPadOS release also comes with the new Safari browser that is also available on macOS Ventura and brings features such as Shared Tab Groups and PassKey. Additionally, Apple has brought the Weather app to the iPad through iPadOS 16. It brings full-screen animations as well as tappable modules with access to detailed information. Developers are also getting WeatherKit to let them integrate weather updates into their apps.
Additionally, Apple announced ‘Desktop-level’ apps coming to the iPad through iPadOS 16. These will be able to use system elements such as undo/ redo across the system, availability view in calendar, and find and merge cards in Contacts. The company has also updated the Files app on the new iPadOS release with the ability to change file extensions, view folder size, and expand folders in the list view. There are also system-wide features that are aimed to deliver improvements across apps, including the redesigned find-and-replace experience, document menu in Files, Pages, and Keynote, and customisable toolbar to let users add tools of their choice. Apple has also added a feature called Reference Mode to enhance colour viewing on the Retina XDR Display featuring iPad Pro.
For Pro users on the iPad with the M1 chip, iPadOS 16 brings the ability to let users increase the pixel density of the display and view more in their apps. It is especially useful when running two apps in the Split View. Apple has also brought Virtual Memory Swap to let users virtually expand the available memory for their apps by up to 16GB by using the onboard storage on their iPad.
The list of new features coming through iPadOS 16 as well as the expansion of Apple’s pro apps to the iPad is likely to help the company grow its revenues coming from tablets over time. The updates would also make the iPad a better pick for professionals over Android tablets.
Apple has unveiled its latest M2 chipset at WWDC 2022, along with the first two computers to be powered by the company’s in-house chipset — the MacBook Air (2022), and the 13-inch MacBook Pro (2022). The newest models are equipped with the successor to the first-generation Apple Silicon chip that was announced at WWDC 2020. The MacBook Air is the first refresh of the company’s MacBook Air laptop since the M1 powered MacBook Air made its debut in November 2020. It features the biggest redesign to the MacBook Air series in years, and runs silently with a fan-less design, just like its predecessor. Both the new MacBook Air (2022) and MacBook Pro (2022) sport a 13-inch LCD display and come with the same full-sized function keys as the 2021 MacBook Pro lineup. The 2022 MacBook Air model features new chassis, similar to the MacBook Pro models with a more uniform shape.
Apple MacBook Air (2022), MacBook Pro (2022) price, availability
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) price starts at $1,199 (roughly Rs. 93,300). Meanwhile, the 13-inch Apple MacBook Pro (2022) starts at $1,299 (roughly Rs. 1,01,000). Apple says that the older MacBook Air with the M1 chip will continue to remain available at $999 (roughly Rs. 77,500). The new MacBook Air model will be available in Midnight, Silver, Space Grey, and Starlight Gold colour options through the Apple Online Store and will also allow users to pick configuration options via its website.
In India, the new MacBook models will be available from next month. The MacBook Air with M2 starts at Rs. 1,19,900 (Rs. 1,09,900 for education), while the 13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 starts at Rs. 1,29,900 (Rs. 1,19,900 for education).
In 2020, Apple launched the last-generation 13-inch MacBook Air model at a starting price of Rs. Rs. 92,900 for the 256GB storage model, while the 512GB variant was priced at Rs. 1,17,900. Pricing in the US was set at $999 (roughly Rs. 77,500) and $1,249 (roughly Rs. 96,900), respectively.
Apple MacBook Air (2022) specifications, features
The newly announced Apple MacBook Air (2022) is equipped with an M2 chipset, which is an improved version of the first generation M1 Apple Silicon chip that debuted on the MacBook Air (2020) model — with 20 billion transistors and a 10-core GPU. To recall, the first generation M1 chip came with four high-performance and four low-performance cores and offered up to eight graphics cores.
Apple says that the new chipset offers 18 percent improved CPU performance and 35 percent GPU performance over its predecessor and is 1.9 times faster (CPU) and 2.3 times faster (GPU) compared to competing 10-core processors. The new chipset also comes with the new Secure Enclave, media engine and neural engine, and users can add an external display with up to 6K resolution.
Apple has equipped the MacBook Air (2022) with a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, unlike the mini-LED models that were featured on the 2021 MacBook Pro lineup. The display is claimed to offer an increased display size of 13.6-inches, with thinner bezels compared to the MacBook Air (2020) model. This means that the MacBook Air (2022) will sport a notch, just like the MacBook Pro models launched in 2021.
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) offers up to 2TB of SSD storage and can be configured with up to 24GB of unified memory. The laptop features a 1080p camera, which is an improvement over the 720p camera on the 2020 model. The company’s latest MacBook Air model is equipped with two USB Type-C/ Thunderbolt 4 ports and will come with support for MagSafe charging and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Like its predecessor, it is claimed to offer 18 hours of battery backup while watching videos on a single charge. The MacBook Air (2022) comes support for fast charging the device up to 50 percent in 30 minutes with an optional 67W USB Type-C power adapter.
Apple also launched a successor to the M1 MacBook Pro model launched in 2020 Photo Credit: Apple
Apple MacBook Pro (2022) specifications, features
Like the MacBook Air (2022), the newly announced MacBook Pro (2022) is equipped with the new M2 chipset under the hood, and users can opt for up to 24GB of unified memory along with up to 2TB of storage. The MacBook Pro (2022) is equipped with a 13-inch Liquid Retina Display, and offers up to 500 nits of peak brightness with P3 colour support, according to Apple.
Like its predecessor, the MacBook Air is equipped with an active cooling system, and the fans should offer longer sustained performance at high clock speeds. The MacBook Pro will be offer the same 20-hour battery life on a single charge, which is higher than the original M1 MacBook Air and its successor that was announced today.
Apple showcased macOS 13 Ventura at the WWDC 2022 keynote on Monday as its next iteration of software for Mac and MacBook machines. The new macOS release brings an updated multitasking experience through Stage Manager. The macOS 13 also brings redesign of preloaded apps including Mail, Notes, Reminders, and Messages. Additionally, Apple has brought a new Safari browser to macOS 13 Ventura. The new macOS release will be available for download on both Intel-powered as well as Apple Silicon-based Mac devices.
macOS 13 Ventura availability
macOS 13 Ventura has initially been available for testing purposes to developers who have signed up on the Apple Developer Program. The new release will also beta available as a public beta next month and will be available for download later this year — probably in October.
macOS 13 Ventura features
One of the key highlights of macOS 13 Ventura is the the addition of Stage Manager that lets you look at the list of apps running on the system from a single window. Users can activate Stage Manager directly from the Control Centre to easily multitask.
The new macOS release also includes overhauled System Preferences that now look similar to the Settings app on the iPhone and iPad. It includes individual settings being organised by app. The new macOS release also includes some redesigned apps to enhance user experience throughout the platform.
Apple has also introduced a new Messages app that brings social network-like functionality. The app is available pre-installed on macOS 13 — just like its version available on iOS 16.
The new macOS release comes with an updated Spotlight that lets you receive rich results for your searches. Spotlight on macOS 13 is also capable of starting a timer.
Apple has preloaded macOS 13 Ventura with an updated Mail app. It brings an improved search with suggestions and spelling correction. Further, Safari on macOS Ventura has been updated, with the ability to share tabs with friends and Passkeys. The latter is designed as a passwordless authentication standard that you can use to log in to different Web services using biometrics via Touch ID.
macOS 13 Ventura features at a glance Photo Credit: Apple
For an enhanced gaming experience, macOS Ventura works with Metal 3 and MetalFX Upscaling. The addition of MetalFX Upscaling is claimed to enable developers to render rich, visually complex scenes faster on the system. Apple announced that No Man’s Sky will be the first game to come on the Mac later this year that will be one of the among the initial titles to use MetalFX Upscaling.
Apple has extended Continuity to FaceTime to let users hand-off calls from their iPhone to a Mac seamlessly. Further, macOS Ventura comes with the Continuity Camera feature to allow you to use your iPhone as a webcam with your MacBook to get an enhanced video conferencing experience. The Continuity Camera feature works with Apple’s existing Centre Stage and Portrait Mode. The feature also works with apps including FaceTime, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx. Moreover, users will be able to get Belkin stands to attach their iPhone with a MacBook to use Continuity Camera.
The new macOS release also includes the Clock app as well as new Memoji customisations. It also brings Shared Photo Library that is also available on iOS 16. Further, the operating system has the ability to lift subject from background in visuals.
Apple unveiled watchOS 9 at the WWDC 2022 keynote on Monday. The new watchOS release will help Apple Watch users better track their health and fitness, along with the ability to continuously monitor atrial fibrillation (AFib) and updated sleep tracking. Apple has also introduced the Medications app through the new watchOS 9. Further, watchOS 9 brings new watch faces and an updated user experience. Apple has additionally brought new workout features to attract fitness enthusiasts.
watchOS 9 availability
The watchOS 9 update has initially been released for developers who are a part of the Apple Developer Program. A public beta of watchOS 9 will reach users next month. The latest watchOS will also be available as a free software update for the Apple Watch Series 4 or later paired with iPhone 8 or later and iPhone SE (2020) or later running iOS 16 this fall (somewhere in September).
watchOS 9 features
One of the biggest changes that come through watchOS 9 is the expansion of fitness and health tracking. The new watchOS release brings a AFib History feature to track and monitor users in the state of atrial fibrillation over a particular period — time of day or week. Users can also share a PDF of their AFib patterns with their doctor.
The watchOS 9 release also brings four new watch faces, namely, Playtime as well as the updated Astronomy, Lunar, and Metropolitan. Similarly, there are enhanced and modernised complications on some of the most classic watch faces, such as Utility, Simple, and Activity Analog. The update also brings new features across workouts types, including heart rate zones. Users can now use the Digital Crown on the Apple Watch to rotate between easy-to-read Workout Views and look at various metrics of different training styles. Additionally, there is a new custom workout mode to let you add alerts as per your workout. Apple has also introduced a multi sport workout type that is claimed to use sensor fusion on the Apple watch to “detect when you finish one leg of your race and the transitioning to the next so it can automatically switch between swimming, cycling and running.”
The new watchOS release also brings new running form metrics, including Stride Length, Ground Contact Time, and Vertical Oscillation that users can add as metrics on Workout Views.
Throughout the workout, the Apple Watch can deliver new alerts to users, including pace, power, heart rate, and cadence. Apple has also added Kickboard detection as a new stroke type for Pool Swim workouts that uses sensor fusion on the Apple Watch to automatically detect when users are swimming with a kickboard and classify the stroke type in the workout summary along with distance swam. Swimmers using the Apple Watch can also track their efficiency with a SWOLF score through watchOS 9.
Apple has also started displaying Fitness+ workouts on-screen guidance for workouts, including: Intensity for HIIT, Cycling, Rowing, and Treadmill; Strokes per Minute (SPM) for Rowing; Revolutions per Minute (RPM) for Cycling; and Incline for walkers and runners in Treadmill.
In addition to the updated workouts experience, watchOS 9 brings Sleep Stages to enhance sleep tracking on the Apple Watch. The company claimed the new addition is capable of detecting REM, Core, and Deep sleep stages.
Apple’s watchOS 9 also includes the Medications app to let users discreetly track their medications, vitamins, and supplements from their wrist. Users can also use the iPhone camera to scan a label of their medication and add its data to the preloaded app on the Apple Watch.
The new watchOS release comes with the new Reminders app that lets users add or edit key details such as date and time, location, tags, and notes. There is also the new Calendar app that allows users to create new events directly from the Apple Watch.
During the keynote, Apple also mentioned that the “health data is encrypted on device and is not shared without your explicit permission.”
watchOS 9 features at a glance Photo Credit: Apple
Apple Watch users through watchOS 9 will get support for six new keyboard languages as well as the new Family Setup to let kids control compatible home devices from their wrist. Further, the new watchOS release comes with an updated watch face editor to let users change background colour for watch faces.
The release of watchOS 9 sets the stage for the new Apple Watch models that are rumoured to debut later this year, with improved design and in three different variants. Also, the new watchOS version is designed to make the Apple Watch a strong competitor against the smartwatches running on Google’s Wear OS that also received a slew of updates at the I/O 2022 conference last month.
Apple will make watchOS 9 available for download as a new software update for the compatible Apple Watch models later this year.
Apple has official unveiled iOS 16, the next-generation version of its operating system for compatible iPhone models. As previous leaks and rumours suggested, Apple has introduced changes and improvements across the system at its annual WWDC keynote event. The software update to iOS 16 will arrive later this year on iPhone 8 and later devices — likely in September — and will feature improvements to the operating system, including an overhauled lock screen and notification system, along with improved and redesigned system apps. Developer previews will be available this week followed by a public beta next month, ahead of the public rollout later this year.
Improved Lock Screen support
The iOS 16 update will bring one of the biggest updates to the iOS Lock Screen in years with multi-layered cutomisation options. Users will have access to wallpapers with widget-like capabilities and the OS will allow users to pick from different typefaces and colour filters while customising their setup. They can also add widgets for upcoming calendar events, workout status and choose multiple widgets, while picking wallpapers and presets from a curated selection provided by Apple.
iOS 16 will bring multi-layered customisation options to the Lock Screen Photo Credit: Apple
iOS 16 will also offer a Photo Shuffle mode that will allow users to automatically switch up their lockscreens. The update will also bring support for a Weather wallpaper that will show live weather conditions on the lockscreen, or an Astronomy wallpaper, to see views of the Earth, Moon, and solar system. Developers can also use WidgetKit to make it easier to bring their content to the lockscreen, according to Apple.
Apple has revamped notifications on iOS 16, so they don’t get in the way of personalised wallpapers and Lock Screen layouts. The lockscreen notifications on iOS will now scroll in from the bottom of the screen, making them easier to tap and access with one hand. Users can also pick from apps that make use of the Live Activities API to bring live game scores, check their Uber ride, or control music, from the lock screen, according to Apple.
Focus Modes
Focus modes were introduced with iOS 15, and Apple is bringing them to the lockscreen with iOS 16. Users can now activate Focus modes from the lock screen with a swipe from the lock screen. Users will be able to tie a Lock Screen Wallpaper and widget set up to a particular Focus mode, allowing them to switch between Focus modes by simply swiping to the corresponding Lock Screen.
With the arrival of iOS 16, Apple will also bring deeper integration for Focus modes to its own apps, allowing users to filter out tabs, accounts, email, and features from apps like Calendar, Mail, Messages and Safari. Apple will alert users with a message that says Filtered by Focus, for example, in the Messages app. This functionality will also be extended to third party apps, according to the company.
The Messages app will be updated with the ability to edit and unsend texts Photo Credit: Apple
Messages
Messages is getting a massive update, with the ability to edit messages. This is a feature that is offered on specific messaging apps, such as Telegram. Users can also undo sending of messages, allowing users to recall messages – this is a feature also offered on apps like Signal, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Users can also mark messages as unread, allowing them to come back to a conversation at a later time, according to Apple. SharePlay is also coming to Messages with iOS 16, allowing users to watch synced content like movies and songs, while sharing playback controls in a Messages chat, according to Apple.
Mail
Scheduling for emails is coming to the Mail app on iOS 16, according to Apple. Users will also be able to cancel the sending of an email, before it is delivered to a recipient’s inbox. Users will also be reminded if they forgot to add an attachment to their email and resurface older messages with Remind Later and Follow Up suggestions. It is worth noting that these features are offered on competing services and apps, such as Gmail. Apple is also updating the search feature in the Mail app, and will surface recent emails, contacts, documents, and links as they search for emails.
Improvements to Dictation, Live Text, Visual Look Up
Apple has introduced a new on device dictation experience with iOS 16. The upcoming update will let users dictate text while leaving they keyboard open allowing them to add specific words or punctuation in. The dictation, which will be processed entirely on device, will also automatically add punctuation and emoji.
Users will be able to pause a video to quickly copy text on the screen in iOS 16 Photo Credit: Apple
Live Text, which allows users to quickly interact with text from their phone’s camera app and Camera Roll has been expanded to videos with iOS 16. Users can now pause videos and copy text. Meanwhile, Apple will also bring Live Text with translation support. This means users can now translate text using their camera. iOS 16 will also allow users to quickly convert currency from an image captured with their camera or in their Camera Roll, according to Apple.
Visual Look Up has also been updated with a handy new feature. Users can now tap and hold on a subject to lift it from the image and place it into another app like Messages. Meanwhile, Apple has also updated the feature, which could originally identify plants and pets — it will be able to identify birds, insects, and statues with iOS 16.
Apple Wallet
Sharing keys and IDs is getting expanded support in Apple Wallet, allowing users to share ID for identity and age verification. Menahwile, home, office, hotel, and car keys can be shared with other users securely via the Messages and Mail apps, allowing them to access the same keys directly in their Wallet App. The company says it is also working with the IETF industry standard for support to share keys with non-Apple users.
Apple also announced support for Apple Pay Later, a system to allow users to make four equal payments with zero interest and no fees, spread over six weeks. It can be used everywhere Apple Pay is supported online or in-app and uses the MasterCard network, according to the company. Apple will also let users check orders and track delivery with a new Apple Pay Order Tracking feature. The company says it has partnered with Shopify for the feature.
Apple Maps will add support for new locations (and 11 new countries) when iOS 16 is released Photo Credit: Apple
Apple Maps
The Cupertino company’s upcoming update will bring Apple Maps support to eleven more countries later this year — Belgium, France, Israel, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Palestinian Territories, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. Apple has also announced the ability to multiple stops on Apple Maps — up to 15 stops can now be added in advance.
Meanwhile, users who rely on public transport will also be able to see transit updates, including the cost of travelling and transit card support in Apple Wallet. users will be able to check transit card balance and receive alerts if it is running low and replenish — all inside the app. Users can also take advantage of support for Look Around on other apps, to see Street View-like views of specific areas on third-party apps.
Apple News
The Apple News app is being updated with support for a My Sports section. US, UK Canada, and Australia users will be able to follow their favourite teams and leagues, whole accessing scores, schedules, and standings for major professsional and college leagues, according to Apple. Meanwhile, the Apple news app will also offer the ability to view highlights of matches. Apple News+ subscribers will also gain access to premium sports coverage, according to the company.
Children can now request additional screen time using the Messages app Photo Credit: Apple
Parental Controls
Apple has announced updates for parental controls, allowing parents to manage kids accounts as soon as they set up the device. Parents will get suggestions for age-appropriate restrictions for apps, movies, books, and music. Kids can also request more screen time on Messages with parents, and parents can approve or decline these requests without leaving the chat.
Fitness and Health
With iOS 16, iPhone users will be able to set up a daily Move goal in the Fitness app and track active calories to close their ring — the company says it will use motion sensors from the smartphone to estimate burned calories for the Move goal, by tracking steps, distance, flights climbed, and workouts from third-party apps. These can also be shared with friends, according to Apple.
Meanwhile, the Health app will be updated with support for a new Medications feature that will allow users to add and manage their ongoing medications, creating schedules and reminders for medications, vitamins, and supplements. Users in the US will also be able to point their camera at a label to quickly see details about the medication and learn of potential interactions. Health details can also be shared with other users, and records from connected health institutions can also be used to create a PDF document from the Health app.
With iOS 16, users can choose images to be added to the shared library directly from the Camera app Photo Credit: Apple
iCloud Shared Photo Library
iCloud Shared Photo Library is coming to iOS 16, allowing users to share photos with up to five other users. Users can select specific photos from their Photo library or a specific date range. Users can even choose to automatically choose who to share specific pictures as they are being clicked in the camera, thanks to a new toggle that will be added with the iOS 16 update.
All six members that are part of an iCloud Shared Photos Library will have equal permissions to add, edit, delete or favourite images in the group. iCloud Shared Photos Library on iOS 16 will also surface suggestions for users to share a particular photo that includes particiapants in the shared library, according to the company.
Safety Check is claimed to protect users whose personal safety is at risk from domestic or intimate partner violence Photo Credit: Apple
Safety Check
At WWDC 2022, Apple announced a new privacy tool called Safety Check, which is designed to help users whose personal safety is at risk from domestic or intimate partner violence. Safety Check is a feature that will allow users to quickly remove access to others. By pressing a button called Start Emergency Reset, users will be able to easily sign out of iCloud on their other devices, reset privacy permissions for all apps, stop sharing their location, and shut down messaging on all other devices except the one they have in their hand.
The iOS 16 update will only be available for users running iPhone 8 or newer models Photo Credit: Apple
iOS 16 release date
Apple has begun rolling out a developer preview of iOS 16 to members of the Apple Developer Program. Meanwhile, a public beta will be available to iOS users starting in July and users can sign up at the company’s website. The iOS 16 update and the software features shown off at WWDC will be available later this year — likely in September — for iPhone 8 and later models, according to Apple.
WWDC 2022 is set to begin today, June 6. Apple is hosting its WWDC 2022 keynote in the evening (as per the Indian time) virtually to showcase its new software developments. Continuing the trend, the Cupertino company is expected to unveil the next versions of its operating systems that would be titled iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16. Some recent reports suggested that alongside its new software releases, Apple would show off some of its next-generation hardware at the keynote. It could be the new MacBook Air with M2 chip or just some incremental Mac mini and Mac Pro updates.
WWDC 2022 keynote livestream timings, how to watch online
The WWDC 2022 keynote will take place at 10am PT (10:30pm IST) today. The event will be livestreamed through Apple’s YouTube channel. It will also be streamed through the Apple.com website, Apple TV app, and the Apple Developer app. Moreover, you can watch it live from the video player embedded below.
What to expect at WWDC 2022
Similar to past years, Apple at its WWDC keynote is expected to announce a range of software-focussed developments. We can safely expect the launch of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16 at the event. Additionally, there are reports to suggest the launch of some new Mac devices at the keynote. These could include the anticipated MacBook Air with M2 chip as well as new Mac mini and Mac Pro models.
iOS 16
One of the biggest attractions of this year’s WWDC is expected to be iOS 16. The new operating system for the iPhone will include updates to notifications as well as new Messages and Health apps, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. On the messaging front, the iOS 16 update is said to bring new audio-centric experiences.
Apple is reported to upgrade the interface of iOS 16 with redesigned app icons, interactive widgets, upgraded theme options, and a floating app window. Further, some improvements are said to be available on the part of the preloaded Camera app. Users could also expect lock screen enhancements such as new wallpapers and widget-like capabilities.
In addition to the regular upgrades, iOS 16 is said to have support for an always-on lock screen experience where the operating system will reduce frame rate significantly to display “glanceable information” when the display is idle. This addition, however, is expected to be enabled exclusively on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max at a later stage.
iPadOS 16
Similar to iOS 16, iPadOS 16 is expected to grab some eyeballs at this year’s WWDC keynote. The new iPadOS version will get an improved multitasking experience that would be similar to that of macOS, Gurman said in his recent newsletter Power On.
Users are reported to be able to resize app windows while using multiple apps at the same time. This would be a step ahead of the existing Split View where two apps can be open simultaneously.
macOS 13
Although there aren’t many reports to suggest what is coming on macOS 13, we can expect some incremental changes. One of them could be an update to the Settings app. Some key preloaded Apple apps on the operating system are also expected to receive a design overhaul this time.
On the part of its naming, macOS 13 may get Mammoth title — based on a region that is in the Sierra Nevada. Apple considered taking names from the mountain range for some of the previous macOS versions as well.
watchOS 9
For Apple Watch users, this year’s WWDC keynote is expected to bring watchOS 9 as an update. The new watchOS release will have improvements that will “affect day-to-day operating and navigation” on the Apple Watch, per Gurman. There could also be the new Health app to improve health tracking on the Watch hardware — alongside the iPhone.
Apple is also said to be working on improving the atrial fibrillation detection feature that would be detailed at the keynote.
tvOS 16
There aren’t any significant details on what exactly we can expect on the part of tvOS 16. However, it is safe to assume that Apple would announce some improvements to retain its users on Apple TV. Some reports in the past also suggested that Apple would bring homeOS as its dedicated smart home operating system. That has not yet officially been announced. Nevertheless, we can expect that tvOS could get some new features to control smart home devices from a TV.
New Mac devices
Although Apple has a history of launching its hardware at dedicated events, recent reports suggested that the company could use its WWDC keynote this time to unveil some new Mac devices. These could include the new MacBook Air that has been a part of the rumour mill for some time. It would come with some new design-level changes including eye-catching shades — alongside the M2 chip. The new Apple silicone is not likely to have significant performance upgrades over the existing M1 series but some improvements to help deliver an improved battery life and an enhanced user experience.
Alongside the new MacBook Air, high-end Mac mini and new Mac Pro are rumoured to be in the works. Both could be shown at the keynote as Apple’s new hardware offerings.
However, for the iPhone and Apple Watch lovers, Apple is expected to host the special event sometime in September only.
Apple has reportedly applied for a revamped patent that would support an Apple Pencil mounted above the MacBook keyboard. The claims include the ability to magnetically retain or secure the Pencil when it is placed the storage area and use the pencil as function keys while housed in the chassis. The patent, which the company first applied for last year, imagines the Pencil as a replacement for the function keys row. There’s no word from Apple on plans to incorporate the technology in upcoming MacBook models.
According to a report by Patently Apple, the Cupertino giant has added 20 new patent claims to the invention, as part of continuation patent number 20220171474. The patent explains that the input tool could be stored in a recess of the keyboard housing or the chassis, and that the application is a continuation of Apple’s 2020 patent application for a “Mountable tool computer input”.
Apple’s patent application suggests the compant could use the Pencil as an input tool when it is housed in the chassis Photo Credit: Patently Apple
With the newly filed patent continuation application, Apple has illustrated a system where the Apple Pencil can be stowed away in a retainer, or along the chassis of the MacBook. While the company’s latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models got rid of the Touch Bar in favour of function keys, the application says that the retainer can support a high-end lighting system, to allow the Pencil to replace the function-key row on the MacBook.
In its patent application, the Cupertino company has envisioned an input tool whose rotation can be measured and tracked as user input. For example, rolling the input tool (like an Apple Pencil) could perform actions like scrolling, zooming or adjusting size. This is shown in the third figure in Apple’s application. Meanwhile, figure 11 suggests the Apple Pencil could be illuminated when placed in the recess to show function keys, system function controls, application settings, and more.
While Apple releases tablets with touchscreen and Apple Pencil support, there’s no word on whether the Cupertino company will actually add touchscreen or Apple Pencil support on the MacBook. As is the case with many patents filed by companies like Google and Apple, there is no guarantee that the stylus-centric design for input on will make its way to Apple’s MacBook models in the future.
This week on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast, we discuss iPhone 13, new iPad and iPad mini, and Apple Watch Series 7 — and what they mean to the Indian market. Orbital is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
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