WWDC is here, so that means the next-generation of software for Apple devices. We’re running down everything new in iOS/iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, and macOS Sonoma.
iOS/iPadOS 17
As you might expect, iOS and iPadOS 17 sport a number of great new features.
Some of the biggest changes arrive in some familiar apps—Phone, Messages, and FaceTime.
In the Phone app, you can now create a custom contact poster with a photo or emoji. That will be shown on the other person’s phone screen during a call.
Live Voicemail will show a transcription of the voicemail being left on your phone so you can decide whether you want to talk to the person.
You can now also leave a video message if someone doesn’t answer a FaceTime call.
Messages is also introducing a better way to search for something specific with Message filters. You can also view voice message transcriptions. And a new Check In feature will allow you to automatically check in with another person to let them know that you’ve made it home safely. They can also see if something has happened when you are on the way home.
StandBy will turn an iPhone into a full-screen experience when placed on a nightstand. You can see information like the time and alarm and also personalize what is shown on the screen. You can also see a dynamic photo slideshow.
A Journal app will help users keep track of what’s happening in their daily life. It will use on-device machine learning to offers personalized suggestions to write about.
Other changes include a new Airdrop feature called Namedrop that allows you too easily share your phone number and photos with other users and just needing to say “Siri” instead of the previous “Hey Siri”
On the iPad front, iPadOS 17 allows you to customize your home screen with interactive widgets. You can also customize a lock screen just like on the iPhone.
The Health app will also be available on the big screen of the iPad.
A first beta version of the software will be available for developers to download today. Both will officially arrive sometime this fall.
watchOS 10
Anyone with an Apple Watch will be very happy to hear about all of the new changes in watchOS 10.
With any watch face, just turn the Digital Crown to see a Smart Stack of different widgets. You can see information that you select. It also adapts the user’s context. For example, when traveling, the Smart Stack will show boarding passes from the Wallet.
A number of Apple’s stock apps have been redesigned like Weather and Maps to take advantage of the larger screen of modern Apple Watch models. Third-party apps can also make use of the new design language.
Two new watch faces have also been added. Pallette will show time a wide variety of colors that shift with the time change. There is also a new face with comic characters Snoopy and Woodstock.
The new software also adds a number of features for cyclists with additional metrics and more. When starting a cycling workout on the Apple Watch, it will automatically start a Live Activity on your iPhone. The watch can also automatically connect to Bluetooth-enable cycling accessories.
Just like iOS and iPadOS 17, a beta version of watchOS 10 arrives to developers today with the software officially arriving later this year.
macOS Sonoma
For the Mac, Apple also unveiled macOS Sonoma.
One of the headlining features is desktop widgets. You can now drag a widget onto your desktop and view the information. They are interactive just like on the iPhone and iPad.
And speaking of the iPhone, you can also see your iPhone widgets and interact with them directly on your Mac home screen. Your iPhone just needs to be nearby and on the same Wi-Fi network.
Other new improvements include a Game Mode. Safari is also adding a private browser lock.
Developers can download the first beta version today with the software officially arriving later this year.
On the hardware side, Apple also unveiled a new 15-inch MacBook Air and updated Mac Studio.
