Apple WWDC 2024: What to expect for software and hardware

However, Apple has confirmed that the new accessibility features will come to the iPad later this year a press release Published in May. These capabilities include the ability to control the iPad with eye tracking, spoken shortcuts that specify custom pronunciations that Siri can understand, and a feature that uses onscreen prompts to reduce motion sickness for people looking at their device in a moving vehicle. Hopefully we’ll be able to see a demo of these features at the conference.

macOS 15

As is the case every year, the official name of the latest version of macOS is always a guessing game. Last year, Parker Ortolani, a product manager at Vox Media, said, A list of tweets Among the unused names that Apple has apparently trademarked – one of them is the name Sonoma, which was used for the current Version of macOSSo, the company can choose any of the remaining names. (I personally support macOS Mammoth.)

According to rumors a redesigned Calculator app (exciting!) is coming to the Mac. AppleInsiderIt will look similar to the iOS version, with round buttons and the ability to adjust the size. The app will also come equipped with a history tape for accessing previous calculations and support for Math Notes – which the publication says “will essentially lead to the integration of the Calculator and Notes applications, giving users the option to create notes with math-related elements or mathematical notation.” Let’s hope this means we’ll get to see the latest Math Notes app At the end The iPad is also getting a Calculator app.

late May, AppleInsider also reported macOS 15 will come with some UI changes. Siri may have a new monochromatic menu bar icon, a redesigned system Settings app (where apps will be reorganized based on importance) and a new unified menu for page controls In Safari,

Speaking of Safari, we can also see a new Intelligent Search feature that uses Ajax LLM to generate summaries by highlighting topics and key phrases from webpages.

watchOS 11

It appears that unlike iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, updates to watchOS won’t be as extensive. (The same applies to tvOS 18.) But it does track, given howaticos 10 It included new features such as dedicated cycling capabilities, topographic maps for walking, mental health tools, and easier navigation between apps.

once again, Mark GurmanwatchOS 11 may include a more advanced version of Siri for “on-the-go tasks” (which makes sense since iOS 18 is rumored to include a Siri overhaul) as well as fitness app upgrades. Other than that, it’s likely to be a minor update overall. In terms of Apple Watch support, a report iPhoneSoft Via MacRumorsclaims that Apple will drop support for the Apple Watch Series 4 (which came out in 2018).

VisionOS 2.0

Although the Vision Pro was unveiled at WWDC last year, VisionOS was released in February this year, around the same time the mixed-reality headset began shipping. But the next big software update is reportedly already in the works.

At Gurman’s power on NewsletterHe said Apple is expanding its list of native apps, not just running the iPad versions (in compatibility mode) on the headset. 9to5Mac He pointed out that several Apple apps are not yet available for VisionOS, including Calendar, Books, News, Podcasts, Reminders, Voice Memos, Stocks, Home, Shortcuts and Maps. So they may be coming to FaceOS soon.

It’s possible we could also see a new “breathing tracking” feature, MacRumors reports. This was discovered by contributor Aaron Paris, who found references to the feature in lines of code within Vision Pro’s mindfulness app. It will apparently give “users an immersive meditation experience using guided meditations or self-guided sessions” by sensing your breathing rate. However, it’s unclear whether this will be included in a VisionOS update or whether Apple will save it for a future version of the OS.

As with iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, Apple has confirmed new accessibility features are coming to Vision Pro later this year. Press release There are live captions that run along with dialogue in both live conversations and in-app audio (with the ability to move captions around via a window bar during Apple’s immersive videos), as well as a few features that make Vision Pro more accessible: a color inverter, a setting that changes the transparency of windows and objects in the field of view, and a feature that dims the effect of flashing lights.