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Summary of the Opening Day of WWDC 2024

Summary of the Opening Day of WWDC 2024

The opening day of WWDC 2024 has come to an end, marking the beginning of one of the most anticipated events for Apple developers and fans. This event serves as a platform for Apple to showcase its latest software innovations for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Vision Pro, and other devices. Here is a recap of the most notable announcements, with a special focus on iOS 18 and the other operating systems.

iOS 18 and iPadOS 18

As expected, iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 were two of the main stars this year. Some of their most notable new features include:

  • Screen customization: The ability to move icons and widgets anywhere on the screen, leaving gaps, while still following the classic grid.
  • Icon customization: New options to customize icons with colors adapted to the wallpaper.
  • Redesigned control center: A new control center with dedicated sections for specific functions, such as controlling home accessories.
  • Enhanced Messages: The ability to schedule messages and format texts in the Messages app.
  • New Mail organization: The Mail app is now organized by categories.
  • Calculator on iPad: The Calculator app is coming to the iPad and is also integrated into the Notes app, allowing complex operations drawn with the Apple Pencil to be solved.
  • Gaming mode: Resource optimization for games, ensuring that background processes do not interfere with game performance.
  • Photos redesign: A significant update to the Photos app, now organized by themes and featuring a new 'Collections' section for special memories and photographs.

macOS 15 Sequoia

The new macOS Sequoia was introduced with interesting new features, including:

  • iPhone integration: The ability to use iPhones on the Mac screen.
  • Password management: A new application for securely managing passwords.
  • Synchronized notifications: iPhone notifications can now be viewed on the Mac.
  • New games: Announcement of new games for Mac, such as 'World of Warcraft: War Within' and 'Dead Island 2'.

watchOS 11

The most notable new features coming to Apple Watch include:

  • Workout intensity tracking: A new algorithm that uses heart rate, age, and weight to better calculate workout intensity.
  • Weekly goals: Apple Watch rings can now be adjusted for weekly goals.
  • New health metrics app: A new app offering better visual metrics and statistics for a more precise health check, including alerts to see a doctor if something is wrong.
  • New widgets: New widgets that can be added to smart stacks, including live activities.

visionOS 2

The next major update for Vision Pro, visionOS 2, will bring improvements such as:

  • Spatial photos: The ability to convert normal photos into spatial ones.
  • Customizable home screen: The home screen can finally be edited and apps can be arranged as desired.
  • Real-time photo sharing: The ability to share photos in real-time with other Vision Pro users via Shareplay.
  • New Mac screen view: A more panoramic way to view the Mac screen.
  • Train mode: A new mode that prevents motion sickness while using the device on transportation like trains.

AI Innovations for All Systems

Artificial intelligence was a key highlight, and Apple has dubbed it Apple Intelligence. Among the most notable new features are:

  • Cross-platform integration: Available on iOS 18, macOS 15, and iPadOS 18 (only on iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, and devices with an 'M' chip).
  • ChatGPT in Siri: Integration of the latest OpenAI model, GPT-4o, into Siri.
  • New Siri: Siri now understands natural language and context.
  • Automatic summaries: The ability to summarize notifications or emails.
  • Personalized emojis: The ability to create personalized emojis for every occasion.

Vision Pro Expansion

Vision Pro is coming to new countries. It will be available in China, Japan, and Singapore on June 28, and in Germany, Australia, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom on July 12.

Other Updates

Additionally, improvements for tvOS were announced, specifically in the 'Apple TV' app, which now includes new features to identify the actors on screen. Furthermore, AirPods will receive enhancements with the new operating systems, focusing on audio spatialization and noise cancellation.

Don't miss any of these updates and stay tuned for more details about WWDC 2024 in our upcoming posts!