WWDC 2020 Highlights

File Photo: Apple Park, Cupertino, California.

The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is a conference annually held by Apple Inc. Apple uses the event to showcase its new software and technologies. This year, The conference was held virtually due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Apple started the event by reiterating its commitment to racial equality. Next, Apple unveiled a host of new features for iOS 14. One of the major changes is the addition of the App Library view. The App Library view automatically groups all apps on a single screen. There is also a "Jiggle View" that can be used to hide pages from the home screen. Siri has been updated with a new compact design that lets users refer the screen while talking to Siri. Apple claimed that the new Siri has over 20 times more facts than it had 3 years ago.

Apple has also launched a new Translate app that is similar to Google Translate. Apple claimed that the Translate app will be able to translate offline and keep conversations private. Apple Maps has received an update. There will be support for cycling that will be initially limited to New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco's Bay Area as well as Beijing and Shanghai. Apple Maps will also include a new electric vehicle routing feature that is specifically designed for electric vehicle owners. Apple introduced App Clips. App Clips are designed to provide a standalone experience without installing the full app. Apple has upgraded the Find My App with support for finding third party products and accessories that are a part of the Find My network accessory program. Apple has announced that they are working with car manufacturers such as BMW and Ford to allow users to unlock their cars using their iPhone.

The new iPad OS comes with a revamped user interface that includes a universal search that lets users search for contacts, documents, or even search within an app that supports this feature. It has an all-new compact design for incoming FaceTime, Phone Calls, and Siri Searches. It builds on all the new features introduced in iOS 14. Apple has introduced Scribble to iPad with Apple Pencil. Scribble lets users write in any text field using the Apple Pencil where it will be automatically converted to text.

Apple has unveiled the MacOS Big Sur. Apple declared this the biggest update to design in over a decade. The macOS Notification Center includes a new design with curved-edge widgets that are available in different sizes. In macOS Messages on Big Sur, users can pin conversations, while search results are organized into links, photos, and phrases. For group messages, Messages now supports mentions. The biggest announcement in the event was the announcement of Apple Silicon. Apple announced that some of its new Macs will be using Apple's own chipsets instead of using Intel's. Apple has been using Intel Chipsets for its Macs since 2005. It seems that the A12Z chipset that is currently used to power the iPad Pro will be used in Macs as well. Apple said that the new chipsets will offer more performance with fewer power demands.