The Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024, hosted by Apple from June 10 to June 14, showcased a variety of exciting updates and new features across its software platforms.
The keynote and other sessions were available for live streaming on Apple’s official website, YouTube, and through the Apple Developer app. For those who missed the live sessions, on-demand playback is available.
WWDC 2024 emphasized Apple's push towards integrating AI across its platforms, enhancing user experience through smarter, more intuitive features, and improving accessibility. These updates reflect Apple's commitment to innovation and user-centric design, setting the stage for a more connected and efficient digital ecosystem.
iOS 18
iOS 18 introduces significant updates, particularly focusing on AI enhancements. Key features include:
- AI-Powered Custom Emoji: Users can create custom emojis based on descriptions.
- Advanced Photo Editing: Photo editing via written or spoken commands.
- Transcription Services: Automatic transcription for audio recordings.
- Enhanced Messaging: Introduction of RCS (Rich Communication Services) for better communication between iPhone and Android devices. This includes support for cross-platform emoji reactions, read receipts, and real-time typing indicators.
- Home Screen Customization: New options for placing icons and widgets anywhere on the screen and a system-wide control for changing app icon colors.
- Improved System Apps: Updates to Photos, Mail, Notes, Fitness, Maps, and the introduction of a new Passwords app.
macOS 15
macOS 15, continuing the tradition of California-themed names, includes several AI features leveraging Apple's Neural Engine. It focuses on updating the System Settings app for better organization and accessibility, alongside other minor improvements and parity with iOS 18 features.
iPadOS 18
iPadOS 18 brings most of iOS 18’s features to the iPad, including a long-awaited Calculator app and a powerful new accessibility feature that allows users to control the iPad using eye tracking. This will make the iPad more accessible, especially to users with limited mobility.
visionOS 2
The Vision Pro headset sees its first major software update with visionOS 2, which includes:
- Native First-Party Apps: Enhanced apps like Calendar, Reminders, and News built specifically for visionOS.
- Live Captions: Real-time captions for spoken dialogue and app audio.
- Mindfulness App Upgrades: Including respiration tracking.
watchOS 11 and tvOS 18
Updates for watchOS 11 and tvOS 18 include new fitness coaching features, improved widgets, redesigned Now Playing and Home widgets in Control Center, and support for multiple Control Center pages. Additionally, CarPlay receives new accessibility features.
