Apple WWDC 2024: What to expect for software and hardware

However, Apple confirmed via a press release published in May that new accessibility features are coming to the iPad “later this year.” These capabilities include the ability to control the iPad with eye tracking, voice shortcuts that assign custom utterances that Siri can understand, and a feature that uses on-screen cues to reduce motion sickness for people looking at their device in a moving vehicle . Hopefully we can see demos of these features at the conference.

macOS 15

Like every year, the official name for the latest version of macOS is always a guessing game. Last year, Parker Ortolani, product manager at Vox Media, said: tweeted a list of unused names that Apple has apparently trademarked – one of those names is Sonoma, which was used for the current version of macOS. So the company can continue with one of the remaining names. (I personally favor macOS Mammoth.)

Rumors suggest a redesigned calculator app (exciting!) is coming to the Mac. According to AppleInsider, it will look similar to the iOS version, with rounded buttons and the ability to resize. The app will also come equipped with a history tape for access to past calculations and support for Math Notes – which the publication says will “essentially further the integration of the Calculator and Notes applications, giving users the ability to take notes create with math-related elements or mathematical elements. notation.” Let’s hope that means we are Finally also purchase a Calculator app for iPad.

At the end of May, AppleInsider also reported that macOS 15 will come with some UI changes. Siri could have a new monochromatic menu bar icon, a redesigned System Settings app (where apps are reorganized based on importance), and a new unified menu for page controls in Safari.

Speaking of Safari, we could also see a new Intelligent Search feature that uses the Ajax LLM to locate topics and key phrases from a web page and generate a summary.

ViewOS 11

Unlike iOS, iPadOS and macOS, the updates for watchOS do not seem to be as extensive. (The same goes for tvOS 18.) But this follows, as watchOS 10 was packed with new features, like specialized cycling capabilities, topographical maps for hiking, mental health tools, and easier navigation between apps.

According to Mark Gurman, WatchOS 11 could include a more advanced version of Siri for “tasks on the go” (which would make sense since iOS 18 reportedly includes a Siri overhaul) and also upgrades to the Fitness app. Other than that, it’s probably a minor update overall. In terms of Apple Watch support, a report from iPhoneSoft via MacRumors claims that Apple will discontinue 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 of this year at the same time the mixed reality headset shipped. But the next major software update is reportedly already in the works.

In Gurmans Turn on newsletter, he says that Apple is expanding its catalog of native apps instead of just running iPad versions of them (in compatibility mode) on the headset. As 9to5Mac pointed out, several Apple apps are not yet native to visionOS, including Calendar, Books, News, Podcasts, Reminders, Voice Memos, Stocks, Home, Shortcuts, and Maps. So maybe those will end up on the facial computer.

It’s possible we’ll also see a new breathing tracking feature, MacRumors reports. This was discovered by employee Aaron Perris, who found references to the feature in lines of code in Vision Pro’s Mindfulness app. It will apparently “give users an immersive meditation experience using guided meditations or self-guided sessions” by measuring your breathing. However, it’s not clear whether or not this will be included in a visionOS update or if Apple will save it for a future version of the operating system.

As with iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, Apple has confirmed that new accessibility features are coming to the Vision Pro later this year. Some of the features mentioned in the press release include Live Captions that you can follow along with dialogues in both live calls and app audio (with the ability to move subtitles via the window bar during Apple Immersive Video), along with a few features that make the Vision Pro more accessible: a color converter, a setting that changes the transparency of windows and objects in the field of view, and a function that dims flashing light effects.