Last night, Apple held its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in sunny California, announcing a slew of new updates and fresh releases in the Apple ecosystem. The 2024 WWDC, as delivered by Tim Cook, the company’s CEO, showcased major developments in existing and emerging technologies in relation to Apple’s product lineup. In case you missed the conference in Cupertino yesterday, we round up the highlights from the presentation, along with the key details you need to know, especially if you’re reading this from your iPhone right now.
The Introduction Of Apple Intelligence (AI)
By now, artificial intelligence (AI) is not new to us, but who knew that Apple would be rolling out its very own form of AI. In this case, though, AI stands for Apple Intelligence. Cited as a personal intelligence system, Apple’s AI combines the power of generative intelligence (such as ChatGPT) with a personal touch. Apple Intelligence is designed to comprehend and create text, images and more, based on one’s personal context and history. The new AI from Apple can also complete tasks and take action across various apps, on iPhones, iPads and MacBooks using the tech giant’s new iOS 18 system (which they also debuted at WWDC 2024, but more on that later).
It is difficult to hold a fair conversation about artificial intelligence without acknowledging the issue of privacy and data collection. How do we, as everyday consumers, protect ourselves and our data from being farmed without our consent? On this note, Apple is boasting Private Cloud Compute, which was created to keep one’s data secure and private. This way, when you use Apple Intelligence, which Cook states “will transform what users can do with [Apple] products—and what [Apple] products can do for users”, you don’t have to worry about your information being processed without your consent. The Private Cloud Compute allows consumers to switch things up, between on-device processing—which keeps your information secure—and larger, server-based processing tools.
iOS 18 and iPadOS 18
Previewed at WWDC 2024 was the upcoming iOS 18. This new software updates comes with many new features that can allow for a more personalised experience on the iPhone. From your lockscreen to your homescreen, widgets, apps and buttons all enjoy more freedom and flexibility. On the homepage, apps can now sit anywhere (versus the current system that lines your apps up in order starting at the top left of the page), and can even be tinted and entered into dark more for a more visually appealing user experience. App icons can also appear larger for a bolder, more minimalist look. The Control Centre has also been renewed, giving users the freedom to customise control buttons, icons and their go-to actions on supported third-party apps.
Supported by Apple Intelligence, Safari will also use machine learning to scan and dissect information on web pages. The Reader mode offers up a newly designed experience, with a summary and table of contents for lengthier web pages, so you can cut down on the distractions when you need to focus up.
Most of the updates to iOS 18 are expected to carry over to iPadOS as well, but on the larger screen, there’s one major difference. The Calculator app also comes with Math Notes, which can instantly read and process mathematical sums and equations for you when you make notes. Using the Apple Pencil, the answers are solved and written out in your own handwriting. The new Math Notes calculator can also assist with creating budgets, and inserting variables into formulas, for when you’re just dipping your toes into a new concept.
An enhanced version of the Keychain, the new iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 also introduces the new Passwords app. The Passwords app can safely store and keep track of all your personal passwords, log-in credentials and also alert you of potential data breaches concerning any of your passwords.
Vision Pro Is Coming To Singapore
One of the most exciting announcements at WWDC 2024 was the news that the Vision Pro headset would finally be coming to Singapore. Made newly available for pre-order for mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore starting June 14, at 9am Singapore time, Vision Pro is Apple’s spatial computer, a headset meant to join the physical and digital worlds together in one all-inclusive experience. It combines the playfulness of Augmented Reality (AR) experiences with the limitless feel of Virtual Reality (VR) programming. The first sets of Vision Pro will reach Singapore shores on 28 June.
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