Apple’s WWDC event of the year 2021 started on June 7, Monday. The opening event keynotes addressed new updates for the company’s major products. While the event started with a film by app developers, the keynotes were introduced by mentioning iOS 15 with upgrades to FaceTime.
WWDC stands for Worldwide Developers Conference. It is the company’s biggest annual conference for its developer partners – the people who create the software, apps and experiences that run on the Mac, iPhone and other Apple platforms.
Not just the developers but also the Apple product users are interested in the event. The virtual event introduced the following keynotes on the WWDC 2021 Day-1.
WWDC21 Day 1 Keynotes
iOS 15
iOS 15 is the new operating system for iPhones that brings a collection of new features, adjustments to the interface and all-important security fixes. Craig Federighi introduced the update to iOS, noting that this release focuses on four points: staying connected, finding focus, using intelligence and exploring the world. iOS 15 focuses on the updates to facetime that is very much related to the pandemic reason.
- SharePlay allows you to watch movies or listen to music together during a call.
- FaceTime Links allows even Android and Windows to join FaceTime calls.
- Apple Wallet now incorporates home, office and hotel keys, allowing you to unlock compatible doors in those places with your phone.
- Maps are getting a 3D elevation and more details-focused.
- Focus Mode allows you to customize your phone in different modes such as work, where only work-related apps will show up.
- Feature to batch less important notifications together and deliver them at a specific time.
- New security features, including “mail privacy protection.
- iOS 15 will roll into public beta in July, with a full release “this fall”.
iPadOS 15
The iPadOS 15 segments of the keynote were marked towards defining the separate aesthetics and user experiences that better suit the small and medium-sized screen of an iPad.
- iPadOS will get larger home screen widgets as well as new widgets for apps like Find My, Photo and Files.
- App Library is making its way to the iPad.
- Quick Notes will let you create a note from anywhere by swiping up from the bottom right corner of the screen.
- iPadOS will get a system-wide text translation option.
- iPadOS public beta will roll out in July, with a full release “this fall.”
macOS Monterey
At the event, Apple mentioned the new macOS update as “Monterey” rather than “macOS 12”.
- Shortcuts is coming to macOS.
- The SharePlay stuff is coming to macOS too.
- Macs are getting AirPlay, with which you can share the AirPlay content to Mac’s display like AppleTV.
- Safari is getting a UI overhaul.
- Universal Control lets you use one keyboard/mouse setup to control multiple macs and iPad placed next to one another.
- macOS Monterey public beta will roll out in July, with a full release “this fall.”
watchOS 8
- watchOS 8 will feature a reworked Health experience.
- A new Mindfulness app integrates the existing Breathe app with a new Reflect experience and a little upgraded UI.
- A new “Portraits” watch face allows users to use portrait-mode photos to create a neat, layered-looking clock layout.
- Text input is getting a subtle overhaul on watchOS.
- watchOS 8 public beta will roll out in July, with a full release “this fall.”
AirPods
- The Conversation mode in AirPods Pro now allows you to boost the volume of voices and suppress the sound in your surrounding. Face-to-face talk in a noisy environment will be a lot better with this feature.
- Find My app and Airpods are now connected even when in the case. You’ll get an alert if they get left behind.
WWDC 2021 runs from 7-11 June 2021. You can rewatch the entire keynote here:
