Apple’s annual developer conference kicked off this week, bringing with it some big news for the future of Apple products like the iPhone, MacBook and Apple Watch.
For the first time we saw the next Mac Operating System called ‘Big Sur’, as well as some little updates to the iPad. But the big reveals were centered around the iPhone and Apple Watch.
Last we checked, there were more than a few iPhone and Apple Watch users in the world – so here’s a quick round-up of some of the biggest developments of the show.
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Apple’s Watch will watch you sleep
Apple has long touted the fitness features built-in to its smart wearable, and will be adding to the usual step and sport modes with sleep tracking.
You can set a bedtime and wake-up time, customise a nightly wind-down routine (complete with meditation app support) and come the evening the watch will switch to a special night clock face that won’t keep you awake at night.
Other brands – such as Fitbit and Jawbone – have been doing this for yonks. It’s good to see Apple finally catch up.
You can now swap out default apps
Don’t use Apple’s Mail or web browser? iOS 14 will make it easier to banish them permanently, letting you pick which apps will be your defaults. That means you can swap out Safari for Chrome, and Mail for Outlook.
That might not mean much to standard iPhone users, but for anyone who uses an alternate app this is big news.
Widgets!
You can now add widgets – little boxes that provide you information – to your iPhone home screen.
Android users have had this feature since 2012 (better late than never, we guess) which will let you catch up on weather, music, exercise tracking, calendar features the moment you unlock the phone.
Double and triple tap
The iPhone will get some new tricks come September. iOS 14 has made the double or triple tap the back of your phone an iPhone command.
You can set either of them to do different things; from opening your camera app to writing a note or talking to Siri. We reckon it’s going to be one of those handy features that once active, you’ll never know how you lived without.
Apple chips
Apple has long been making its own processors (the brains of its devices) in-house for its portables, but this year it said it will be showing Intel the door and making its own chips for the Mac range.
Technically, as it already makes Apple software, that would mean Macs are about to get a huge speed boost. It will also mean that you will be able to run iOS apps from your iPhone and iPad on your Mac.
All these features won’t officially land on your Apple device until September, however for the first time Apple will be holding a public beta. To get involved, click here
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