AtWWDC 2024, Apple made a slew of announcements, including revealing itsAI ambitionsalongside updated versions ofiOS,iPadOS,macOS,visionOSand more. Withso much news on deck, it’s difficult to parse through all the announcements to figure out what the top reveals are.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help – below are all the biggest reveals from Apple’s Worldwide Developers conference keynote.
5 iOS 18 features I’m excited about
Apple has taken the wraps off of its next generation of iPhone software. Here’s what we’re most hyped up for.
1Apple Intelligence arrives with contextual AI features
AI “that understands you”
After years of rumors, Apple finally revealed its AI plans at WWDC 2024. Unlike other tech giants, the company is focused on AI tools that emphasize “personalized context” and carry out tasks on your behalf. For example, you can askApple Intelligenceto look up a specific series of emails, pull a collection of files on your Mac or check if you have a gap in your calendar before scheduling a meeting. Apple says it will offer AI writing tools to help users write better across Mail, Notes, Safari, keynote and more. On the image front, Apple Intelligence allows users to create AI-generated images through Image Playground.
AI is coming to Siri, making Apple’s voice-activated assistant contextually smarter, including on-screen awareness and the ability to take actions across apps. For example, if a friend texts you their address, and you want to add their information to a contact card, you can ask Siri to take care of that for you. Siri also appears to utilize more natural language. With regard to privacy, Apple Intelligence utilizes both onboard hardware and cloud processing depending on how resource-intensive the task at hand is. Finally, Siri will also feature direct integration with ChatGPT, expanding what the voice-activated assistant is capable of.
Read more here.
Apple Intelligence: 12 AI features coming to your iPhone and Mac
At WWDC 24, Apple announced some major AI upgrades. Here are all the new Apple Intelligence features coming to Apple’s devices.
2iOS 18 offers more customization options (but nottoomany)
Dark mode lovers rejoice
You can now add app-specific commands to the Control Center and place controlsdirectly on the lockscreen to make them easier to access. Alongside that subtle change, there are new dark mode icons for Apple’s apps (developers will likely need to update their apps to support this feature). Apple also showed off Gmail-like organizational updates to its Mail app, a revamped Photos app carousel, a new Game Mode that improves AirPods and Bluetooth controller latency, and more.
All the ways iOS 18 lets you customize your iPhone
With iOS 18 on the way, customization is in at Apple.
3iPadOS 18 finally includes a calculator app
The new tab bar aims to make accessing apps quicker
Along with the calculator app making its way to the iPad, Apple revealed a floating tab bar in ipadOS 18 that makes it easier to access your favorite apps, new Smart Script that makes handwriting with the Apple Pencil smoother, and the ability to Screenshare through SharePlay to draw on another user’s display virtually.
iPadOS 18 includes 5 features iPad owners have been waiting for
Apple used WWDC to show off some of the biggest and best features coming to iPadOS 18.
4macOS Sequoia lets you mirror your iPhone on Mac
There’s a new cross-platform Passwords app
Along with Apple Intelligence features (just like iOS 18 and iPadOS 18),macOS Sequoialets users to mirror their iPhone on their Mac, allowing you to control the smartphone directly from your desktop/laptop. There’s also finally a cross-platform Passwords app that allows users to share Wi-Fi passwords, passwords and verification codes across iOS, iPad, Mac, visionOS, Windows and, of course, macOS.
5 exciting new features hitting the Mac in macOS 15 Sequoia
Alongside updates to its other operating systems, Apple has unveiled what’s in store for the Mac later this year.
5watchOS 11’s new Vitals app gives quick access to key health metrics
Live Activities are now available in the Smart Stack
This year, Apple is focused on subtle updates withwatchOS 11. First, there’s a new Apple Watch Vitals app that lets you check important health metrics at a glance, including your heart rate. On top of that, Apple has expanded its smartwatch’s cycle tracking features by offering more data to people that are pregnant. Other new features include turn-by-turn directions for walking and hiking routes, Live Activities in the Smart Stack and more.
WatchOS 11 is bringing more training tools to your Apple Watch
This might be the best watchOS update yet, with added training tools, pregnancy tracking, and more Double Tap interaction.
6tvOS' update lets you look up information while watching
This year, Apple remembered its Apple TV operating system exists
Unlike some WWDC keynotes, Apple actually discussed its Apple TV operating system at this year’s WWDC, with"Insight" being the most interesting. The new functionality – which Amazon has offered in Prime Video for several years – allows you to check an actor or song title in real-time while you’re watching a TV show (I know I’ll definitely be using this feature a lot).
Apple’s tvOS 18 updates look convenient but familiar
Apple’s TV upgrades aren’t groundbreaking, but they’ll make binge watching easier.
7VisionOS 2 features new gestures
Apple’s VR headset is releasing in more countries
Following the initial release of the Vision Pro, Apple showed offVisionOS 2at WWDC. The updated VR operating system includes new gestures that allow you to open the home screen and check the headset’s battery. There’s also a new native Vimeo app, new developer APIs and more. Finally, the Vision Pro is coming to more regions, including Canada, Australia, France, Germany and the United Kingdom on July 12th (pre-orders open on Friday, June 28th).
Apple reveals visionOS 2 update with 3D spatial photos and more
Apple Vision Pro is coming to more countries, too.
