Apple held its WWDC 2024 on June 10 as scheduled, and as previously announced, Apple brought major AI updates to the conference. In addition to that it also introduced the new iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS 15, watchOS 11, and visionOS 2. Let's take a look at the keynote of WWDC.
visionOS 2
Apple's Vision Pro finally got a system update, visionOS 2 added a lot of new features, such as the addition of 3D photos, new gestures and travel mode. Executive Mike Rockwell said that there are now 2,000 applications available on Vision Pro.
VisionOS 2 will be available as a free update this fall. Additionally, Vision Pro will be available for pre-order starting June 14 in China, Japan and Singapore, and will officially go on sale on June 28. Customers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany and the United Kingdom will be able to pre-order from June 28 and will be available on July 12.
iOS 18
Being the most used iOS 18 was also one of the highlights of WWDC 2024, bringing iPhone users new personalization options, enhanced privacy protections, and a host of app improvements. If you look at the features, there are quite a few updates in several categories. Among them is the Control Center, which has a much different interface and functionality than in the past, and some of the features Apple requires at least the iPhone 15 series to use, and some earlier iPhones may not be able to get a full experience on iOS 18.
iOS 18 Supported Models and Release Date
iOS 18 will support upgrades for iPhone XR and above models, including iPhone SE 2 and iPhone SE 3, a total of 24 iPhone models.
People with developer accounts can already download the iOS 18 Developer Beta to try it out, and it is expected that the public beta will be available for everyone to download and use in July, and the official version of iOS 18 will be launched in September after the iPhone conference.
AirPods and tvOS Updates
At WWDC 2024, Apple announced a number of new features for audio and home entertainment, as well as new head controls, adaptive spatial audio, and more for AirPods. On tvOS, it adds conversation audio, automatic captions, and more program information.
AirPods
- Hands-free Siri Interactions
With Siri Interactions on AirPods Pro (2nd generation), you’ll have the ability to simply nod your head yes or gently shake your head no to respond to Siri.
- Voice Isolation on AirPods Pro
Sound crystal clear on calls, even in windy conditions or areas with loud background noise, through advanced computational audio.
- Personalized Spatial Audio for gaming
The same immersive experience that has transformed music and movies puts you right in the middle of the action of your favorite games.
tvOS 18
- New Apple TV+ feature shows actor, singer names.
- tvOS dialogue enhancement makes the voices in the movie clearer.
- Subtitles are also displayed more accurately and instantly.
- New support for 21:9 projection.
- The new standby screen can select photos or album content.
WatchOS 11
Apple's new watchOS 11 is mainly for health and monitoring features. The new system will allow Apple Watch to score the user's exercise status and support users to customize the content module of the Apple Watch homepage. When the user is injured or resting and unable to complete the exercise circle, the ring can be temporarily stopped.
Apple also announced that Apple Watch will add a gestational age feature on Cycle Tracking. With the help of AI, users can also set photo that is more suitable for the watch dial and personalize their watch dial.
iPadOS 18
The main features of the iPadOS 18 update are almost the same as iOS 18, including the Photo, Passcode, and more, and even improvements and enhancements for what makes the iPad unique, bringing more productivity and creative tools. iPad can also come with Apple Intelligence, a personal intelligence system.
"Our most versatile device is becoming even more powerful and intelligent than ever with iPadOS 18," said Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering.
iPadOS 18 Supported Models and Release Date
iPadOS 18 supports all iPad upgrades released in 2019 and later (iPad Pro is 2018 and later models). There are a total of 20 iPad models that can be updated to iPadOS 18.
iPadOS 18 is currently available as a Developer Beta for developers to download and use, and is expected to be available as a Public Beta in July for all to sign up for and download. The official version of iPadOS 18 is expected to be officially available to all iPad models in mid-September.
MacOS 15
macOS 15, officially called Sequoia, supports all the new iPhone and iPad features, including iMessage, Calculator, Notes, and more. One of the biggest features is the new iPhone Mirroring, even if the iPhone is not around, you can control the iPhone from the Mac, to achieve more efficient device interaction.
Apple has released a preview of macOS Sequoia, with a public beta coming next month and a full version of the operating system coming in the fall.
Apple Intelligence
There is no more important update in this WWDC than Apple's AI - Apple Intelligence. Siri has become even smarter, and AI covers almost every corner of the device system, becoming a powerful writing tool. For example, when composing an Email, users can ask the AI to generate various text paragraphs and also specify different emotions or tones to express. It can quickly adjust grammar and spelling errors in paragraphs, and can even organize long paragraphs into concise bullet points.
Apple promises that Apple Intelligence will be open for free use. However, the only supported hardware is the iPhone 15 Pro series and later models and devices equipped with M series chips. In other words, Apple's AI can be supported starting with the M1 device. Apple Intelligence will first be available in English, and other languages will not be available until next year.
Wrap-up for WWDC 2024 Expectations
These are the highlights about what was mentioned in the 2024 WWDC conference, more usage scenarios will surely be introduced in the future and we will keep watching and sharing more information. Don't forget to subscribe OTOFLY and follow us.
