It's WWDC week! Here is what I found interesting.
iOS 16
I am most excited about the changes to iOS. There are some features that I have been wanted for years, and they're finally here. The big headlining feature (obviously to get everyone to upgrade) is customizable Lock Screens. Widgets can be added, fonts can be changed, and notifications were moved to the bottom. There will also be new notifications that can update in real time for things like Uber pickups or sports scores. Lock Screens can also be tied to Focus modes. These look very cool and I am really looking forward to trying them out - I just wish you could remove that darn flashlight button.
There is also a new Shared Photo Library feature for iCloud Family Sharing. This will allow all Family members to view photos in one library. Either all photos, selected photos, or photos taken *while standing near other family members* can be added. This seems like it could be great but it is too bad it's limited to Family Sharing groups (how do I add my parents?).
A few other big "finally" moments... you can edit iMessages! And add multiple stops to Apple Maps directions!
That might not seem like much but it definitely makes me excited to hop on the public beta. In addition to those there are plenty of other changes that really make this an important update. There's a brand new Home app (with Matter support), tons of additional details in the Weather app (and a WeatherKit API that'll work almost exactly like the old DarkSky API), Quick Note is being added to iPhone (via the Share Sheet), the Fitness app no longer requires an Apple Watch, and you can dictate emoji and punctuation will be added automatically.
macOS Ventura
Of course tons of the iOS features will also be finding their way to macOS but there are also a few Mac specific changes. There's a new window manager called Stage Manager. This one is a little tricky to understand because it sure looks like multiple desktops but just with a different UI so I'll be curious to test it. iPhones can be used as a webcam which unlocks many of the iPhone tricks like Portrait mode and also adds Center Stage and a weird Desk View (seems to use the ultra wide lens to show what's on the desk but I can't imagine the resolution is very helpful) to any Mac. No cables required. The old System Preferences app is being replaced with a System Settings app - which looks very similar to the iPad Settings app. I'm a bit disappointed by this since I feel like Preferences was one of the original OS X designs. It's not great to find things, but it's a classic.
iPadOS 16
iPadOS also gets most of the same updates as iOS and macOS but an iPad version of the weather app is finally coming out. M1 iPads (and M1 only...) get multiple window support through the new Stage Manager system and external display support, which is kind of mind-blowing but I'm still skeptical of how it'll work (sadly I don't have an M1 iPad to test this with, which is also why I don't have too much to say).
Hardware
Apple had one major hardware announcement today - the new MacBook Air. The MacBook Air is a pretty major upgrade to the outgoing model. It has a similar design to the newer MacBook Pros, including a notch, and is the first device to introduce the M2 processor. Best of all, there's finally another black(ish) MacBook. I've got a fairly new M1 MacBook Pro 13" at home but this would be a tempting computer if I was looking to upgrade.
Other than that they threw the M2 in the MacBook Pro 13". Same old design, same pointless Touch Bar. Why does this computer still exist?
Other Notes
- watchOS got some new faces…
- Apple Pay is adding a Pay Later feature to pay for things in four installments
- There’s a new Safety Check feature for people in abusive relationships to log out of other devices
- CarPlay might be taking over every screen in new cars - but not until late 2023 or 2024