WWDC 2020 Live Blog: Day 4 sessions out now, Machine Learning takes centre stage

Following the WWDC Keynote on Monday, a developers' session has now confirmed that Xbox's Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 and Adaptive Controller support extends to ‌iOS 14‌ and iPadOS 14.

In another exciting update, game developers can now use keyboard and mouse support for gaming on iPadOS.

(Image Credits: Xbox.com)

Apple Inc's 31st Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will take place virtually for the first time due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The event is scheduled to kick off at 10:30 p.m. tonight Indian Standard Time (IST) and will be free for everyone to watch. The event will be live-streamed directly from Apple Park in California and can be watched on Apple.com, the Apple Developer app, the Apple Developer website, the Apple TV app on the Apple TV, or YouTube. 

New iMac

The annual event would have taken place at the McEnery Convention Center in California as always, had it not been for the coronavirus outbreak. Apple usually charges $1,599 for a single ticket, however, due to the current health crisis, the company has decided to hold the event online for engineers from all over the world to watch it free. It is rumoured that Apple may unveil its new iMac at the event tonight along with some hardware plans.

Watch Live

The Worldwide Conference 2020, which is scheduled to kick start from a few hours from now can be watched for free on YouTube and Apple platforms.

Watch Apple's WWDC 2020 live-stream here:

New WatchOS

It is rumoured that Apple may announce a new operating system for its watch that will have features such as blood oxygen tracking, parental controls, an all-new control centre with sleep mode and noise detection. However, it is not yet clear whether the new feature will come as an update in all series or will be limited to the upcoming Apple Watch Series 6 models. 

iOS14 expected

Apple may unveil its new iOS14 at the worldwide conference 2020 for iPhones, iPad, AppleTV. According to reports, the new OS will provide a series of features to users, from allowing the listing of newly-downloaded apps on the Home Screen to having an option for making third-party apps such as mail, browser, and music as default apps. If rumours are to be believed, the new OS will also have the latest version of Safari that will provide users with a built-in translation option for different languages and may also allow @mentions for group chats in Messages. 

iPadOS new Sidecar

Apple Inc may launch its new iPad OS at the worldwide conference tonight, which according to leaked reports will have a redesigned sidecar, a feature that allows users to turn their iPad into a second screen for their Mac monitor. The new iPadOS 14 may allow third-party apps to be set as default apps just like in iOS14 that is also expected to be launched at the event.  

In-house chips

Apple Inc may announce its plans to shift from the current Intel chips that the company uses in Macs to chips that will completely be made in-house. Media reports suggest that Macs with in-house chips won't be coming before 2021 and it is not yet known which models of the Apple computers will support the internally designed chips or the entire line-up of Macs will come with it. 

iOS to iPhoneOS?

Apple is rumoured to rename its operating system for iPhones from iOS to iPhoneOS, according to reports. The Cupertino based tech company is also expected to launch all-new over-ear headphones that might cost over $300 at stores. The headphones might come with features like active noise cancellation and touch gestures. 

Tim Cook's message

Apple CEO Tim Cook posted a video-emoji message for developers on his official twitter handle, where he in his emoji avatar told developers that he is very excited for an incredible WWDC. Cook further added, "see you all online very soon."

Dave Jha, a student of Indian origin from the Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, has landed himself an invite to WWDC 2020 after he submitted a COVID-19 simulator for the WWDC Scholarship. His COVID-19 Social Distancing Simulator can reportedly toggle speed, number of people, asymptomatic conditions, social distancing, and forced distancing. People were represented as tiny dots in the simulator.

Apple has just one tweet on its Twitter, and it's pinned!

The stage is set for a virtual WWDC, but don't let that dampen your expectations. Big things are expected from Apple this year, and with WWDC less than an hour away, all will soon be revealed. 

In a mark of how they do things at Cupertino, Apple has just the one tweet on its Twitter handle, and yet they feel the need to pin it! The tweet in question, of course, is a live link.

Here it is, for your benefit:

Apple and its events growing cold?

Even if it's virtual, there's no reason to think that there won't be a celebrity or two making their presence felt at the World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) this year. So who will it be? And will they have their own emoji? The first one is probably harder to answer than the second - that comes with a resounding 'Yes!' Call us sticklers, but Apple events have lost their sheen over the last decade, ever since their storied co-founder's passing. The tail very much wags the dog as far as hype is concerned, and the presentation is almost always underwhelming, though the bigger question is whether the same is true of the products themselves. 

Just over half an hour to go - we're about to find out.

Apple's Memojis going to take over WWDC 2020? Probably not

You never quite know what you're going to get with Apple - or at least that's what die-hard fans will have you believe. But given that it's 2020 and everything's...different, there's an opportunity to be just a little bit different, what with the entire going 'virtual' revolution.

One fan has put forth an interesting notion - What if the entire event is presented via memoji?

The Black Lives Matter factor at Apple's WWDC 2020

One thing that all viewers can reasonably expect is some manner of socio-political commentary or stand. Black Lives Matter reigns supreme in the US, and California has long been at the head of activism of a liberal variety - something that was observed following the recent US Supreme Court verdict in favour of equal rights for the LGBTQ community as well. Tim Cook's own personal standing in the community is very well known, and with the US elections right around the corner, expect something. Let's see, it's little over 15 minutes away.

Apple WWDC - The Final Countdown

The time for buildup is over, the speculation can now be dispensed with; it no longer matters what the hardcore sites believe will happen, because in just a little bit we are about to find out what Apple has in store for us at its World Wide Developers Conference.

The eerie music in its Live blog, classy as it is, has run its course. Very soon, we are about to enter a new decade in consumer technology at the hands of the company that has shaped how we live digitally today.

Stay tuned for all the updates.

Apple's WWDC begins; TIm Cook speaks on Black Lives Matter and Coronavirus

Apple's CEO takes no time to address racism - the Black Lives Matter protest and the death of George Floyd.

'We must all aim far higher to live up to our ideals,' says Tim Cook elucidating Apple's move towards racial equality and communities, including its move towards black developers. 

He goes on to speak about the Coronavirus as well: 'Throughout history, great challenges have been met with great breakthroughs'.

Here is a picture of Tim Cook from the Steve Jobs Theatre at Apple Park:

Apple announces iOS 14

Apple has just announced iOS 14, wasting no time in getting to the big guns. Here are some of the features:

First up is the App Library:

Getting to the App you want as easily as possible is the objective of the App library, which is a form of categorisation aid

iOS 14 has Picture-in-Picture and homepage Widgets

Apple is rolling out the big guns. After announcing homepage Widgets that you'll be able to use to customise your general screen like never before, it goes one step further to announce Picture-in-Picture, letting your videos play while you do just about anything else.

Siri has now got voice dictation and messaging features; Apple announces Translate App

Apple says Siri is now smarter than ever before, particularly in terms of her text-to-speech feature. She'll now be able to open Apps that you want, send voice messages, and also take down what you say via her dictation feature.

Apple's Translate App

Carrying on from Siri's dictation feature, Apple has gone one step further and allowed your dictated messages to be translated on demand. 

Apple's Messages gets WhatsApp like features

There are about three updates to Apple's Messages, all of which betray a WhatsApp envy. In-line replys, Memoji (of course) that are additionally customizable, and a feature that makes group chat easier. Nothing very special - unless you think Memoji are the biggest advancement since the graphic user interface came about. 

Apple Maps gets Cycling and electric car features

Quoting FastCompany about how you're a competitor for Google Maps may not be the most aggressive way to go - at the very least Apple knows it's a distant second - if at all. But by adding guides, all new Cycling features, and features for electric cars, such as being able to find the nearest charging points do give it an edge in California, if nowhere else.

Apple Carplay's new car key feature

Apple seems to have turned its attention towards revisioning Car Keys - the proximity kind as well as the push button. It'll be available for the iOS 13 too, for a particular BMW car to begin with - so unlock your car with your phone.

App Clips on App Store

And Apple's App Store has got a new App Clips feature - this will let you check out a 'Clip' version of your apps, and also adds a feature for a sort of QR code to get an App Clip.

Apple's touting the iPadOS14 bigtime.

Among the new features is the same kind of homescreen Widget that is on the iOS14

Apple iPad search

Next up is a feature to make incoming calls more ergonomic. And searching in the iPadOS will also now be easier - having been built from 'the ground up'. It'll now let you search within apps as well.

Apple's Pencil is incredibly smart. But now it's bordering on magic pencil territory.

First up is a doodling 'Scribble' feature that'll convert your Van Gogh-esque works of modern art into real shapes with real lines and angles and curves - if you want. (It turned a blob into a pentagon - so it clearly has a mind of its own)

Handwriting recognition has also got an improvement, and not only in the notes or Pencil-friendly apps, but also on apps like Safari.

Apple Airpods can now switch between devices with ease and have Spatial Audio 

If you have Airpods on, they can now switch sources as you switch your Apple devices.

And they also now come with a surround sound feature for that theatre experience.

Watch OS7 gets new faces, a baby mode and more

The Apple Watch OS7 has some nifty new personalisations, including an alarm type feature towards new parents, as well as a way to personalise the face of your watch - even make one yourself. 'You can even share your watch faces across social media.'

In addition, there's also updates to Maps and workouts

And then there's the big one: Sleep. Apple Watch has got brand new sleep-tracking features, which the company says will make all the difference.

Apple smart Home features: It's all about interoperability

Apple has dovetailed its security and privacy features into its Home aids. And it's talking about interoperability for smart home kits with other biggies not limited to Amazon and Google. Adding new devices to your home has never been easier.

Smartlights, Cameras among the apps in Apple's Home kit

Going live at 10:30 p.m.

With Apple Inc's successful Day 1 that saw a streak of announcements by the company, fans, and developers are eagerly waiting for Day 2 to start today at the same time as yesterday. Apple WWDC 2020 kicked off on June 22 with big announcements, exciting reveals, inspiration, and new opportunities to create the most innovative apps in the world. The most important of all announcements was the new iOS 14 for iPhones, which will come with a host of new features most probably in September this year. 

Compatible devices

Apple Inc announced iOS 14 yesterday at its WWDC Keynote and the devices that are compatible with the newer version of the tech giant's operating system are iPhone SE, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, and all the latest models released after that. The new operating system is compatible with all the devices that five years old and newer. The new update will be available for free for all the iPhone SE, iPhone 6S users, and above. 

Back Tap

Apple Inc began the week-long WWDC Keynote yesterday with a streak of announcements from iOS14 to in-house made chips. However, the time was so little that not all the features were announced from the stage and few were left out from the event. One such feature was 'Back Tap', a feature that will allow users to double or triple tap the back of their iPhone to perform a task. According to reports, the feature can launch apps, take screenshots, command Siri, change volumes, lock or unlock the phone, etc. 

Apple Inc's most attention-grabbing announcement at its Keynote event yesterday was the all-new iOS14 that will be compatible with iPhone 6S and above. One of the new features added in the iOS14 is the emoji search option that will allow users to look for their favorite emojis with just one search. The new iOS14 will have a search option for the emoji keyboard.  

The new PIP feature

Apple Inc announced its most awaited iOS14 at the Day 1 of its WWDC Keynote yesterday. The new feature PIP (Picture in Picture) is attracting a lot of attention because of the all-new options it's going to provide to users who want to do multitasking while watching a video. The new feature will also allow users to watch videos in the background while doing another task on another app. 

While one has to wait for the iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 updates that were announced on the Day 1 of WWDC 2020 until fall, the first developer beta versions for each update are out.

The iOS 14 will revitalise the iPhone home screen with customizable widgets, an App Library, a Translate app, Picture-in-Picture support, a revamped look for Messages, and much more. 

(Image Credits: Apple)

With iOS 14, Apple seems to be integrating features from popular weather application Dark Sky (that it acquired earlier this year) into its own homegrown weather app.  

As per the iOS 14 preview page, one of the most compelling new features on the update is 'a minute‑by‑minute chart that shows the intensity of rain or snow over the coming hour' which looks very much like Dark Sky which is known for its hyper-local precipitation forecasts.

Among the small but important new features of the newly unveiled iOS 14 is sound recognition. First spotted by a Twitter user, the new accessibility tool could significantly benefit people with hearing disabilities. 

The iPhone can be set to actively listen for 14 different sounds -- like doorbell, sirens, smoke detector alarm, running water, dog barking, baby crying etc. The sound recognition feature can be found in the accessibility section of iOS 14’s settings menu.

The new version of Siri will not take up the entire phone screen when prompted with a question. Instead, Siri will now appear as a tiny bubble on the top of the screen and respond to queries with pop-up notifications. The smarter update can access information from across the web and would also be able to send audio messages for iPhone users. The update includes pop-up call notifications as well. 

One of the biggest updates to iOS 14 is the new home screen widgets. In the WWDC Day 2 Sessions today, Apple has rolled out a detailed WidgetKit for developers, highlights the focus of widgets with respect to third-party integration. 

The three main goals to keep in mind are that widgets should be “glanceable, relevant, and personalised.”

On WWDC Day 2, Apple dished out a session on App Clips for the developers detailing on how to design and build the feature. An app clip is a small part of the application that focuses on a specific task, making the app easily discoverable. The iPhone will launch an App Clip whenever it comes across an NFC tag, QR code or dedicated App Clip code, allowing one to use an app quickly without having to install it.

The Apple App Clips works much like Android Instant Apps.

Earlier this year, it was reported that multiple iPhone and iPad apps access the clipboard without prior permission and quietly read copied and pasted text temporarily stored on the device. 

Since sensitive information copied to the clipboard, such as passwords, could be accessed by the device, the iOS lapse posed major privacy and security concerns.

Now, it appears that Apple has made the required changes to safeguard sensitive user information. As demonstrated by a Twitter user, the first developer beta of iOS 14 notifies users when an app or widget pastes text from the clipboard.

On WWDC Day 2, Apple detailed on how to try the new design of mac OS Big Sur and adopt its visual hierarchy, design patterns, and behaviors. The video tutorial also featured how to incorporate custom accent colors and symbols to further personalise the application.

A decade ago, Microsoft introduced Live Tiles to the world. Live Tiles were one of Windows Phone’s most unique features, where interactive icons displayed useful information at a glance without opening an app on the Start menu,  like the weather forecast, or your next calendar appointment. 
Now, in a typical Apple twist, the technology company has overhauled its iOS 14 home screen to do that, enabling lively widgets for apps on the home screen. You can pin widgets to your home screen alongside other apps. You can now add customised widgets that can display information like multiple time zones, forecast for the day, or even images from your camera roll.
For those who loved Windows Phone, this new home screen which debuts later this year with iOS 14, is something they can look forward to.

Apple TV gets TVOS14

Workouts, gaming, music - Apple TV is more than about still having to pay for TV show and movies than the subscription price.

On top of that, comes Apple TV+ - which is the list of said TV and movies

Apple announces Webseries based on Isaac Asimov's Foundation

The trailer is out - here's a screenshot

It's time for the presumed big one - Mac OS - Big Sur

The next release is Mac OS - Big Sur with unmatched levels of power and beauty - the biggest change since Mac OS 10.

Apple is playing up a redesign of the 'human technology' variety, and it looks quite pretty - and consistent between Apple devices.

Apple says it's refreshed the design for all its big apps - from Photos, to Podcasts, and even the menus.

In its prestige move, Apple has got its Control Centre to the Mac OS

There is also a revamped Notification centre, the same widgets that are in its new iOS14, and in an updates to Messages, the ability to make - you guessed it - Memoji on the Mac.

Apple's Maps are up next. There's a new app for the Mac

For the developers - converting iOS apps to Mac Apps

Mac Catalyst is Apple's development tool to convert its flagship iOS apps for the Mac. That's how it says it made its new Apple Maps app and the Messages app

Apple says Safari is the fastest browser, and the most energy efficient. But its big move is privacy, which will give you a security certificate, and an ability to select which extensions you'd like to use

If you love Tabs you're going to love the new Safari - Tabs now give previews, use space better

Apple announces Apple Silicon - Mac to shift processors

In a 'historic' announcement, Apple has confirmed it is shifting Macs away from Intel chips to its own - not ARM - but Apple Silicon.

Apple Silicon's basis is the SOCs that it has been making for its phones:

Apple says that XCode and Universal have helped it convert all its main apps to native apps that are optimised for Apple Silicon

To show off how its native apps are already out there, Apple first touts Microsoft Word - yes, you heard right

The Photoshop demo is impressive though - the app pans out of a fairly hefty photo quite easily, and the photo is quite nice as well

Universal, Rosetta and Virtualisation - Apple's kit for developers to prepare for Apple Silicon

With Apple's new suite of tools to help developers make iOS and iPad apps 'native' these apps can now run directly on the desktop, and others can be recompiled in just a few days.

Apple is launching a programme for this purpose, including a Developer Transition Kit hardware

The Apple Silicon Macs will be out by the end of the year, while the full transition will take about 2 years. In the meantime, Apple still has Intel-based Macs in the pipeline

So that's WWDC 2020

Here's Tim Cook saying bye

Apple's iOS 14, which was unveiled on Monday, features an all-new Translate app for translating conversations.  at tthe time of the launch, it supported 11 different languages and an offline mode for voice and text translation.
The Translate app comes preloaded with the iOS 14 and the supported languages include Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. The app also works in landscape mode on eligible iPhones. Not just that, its side-by-side user interface enables two people to have a conversation in different languages.
Users can also save translations in the Favorites tab.
This app is expected to give stiff competition to Google's Translate app. 

(Picture credit: Apple)

Now, you can expect your AirPods’ batteries to age slower. With the help of Apple's new feature, to be introduced as part of its newly announced iOS 14, the operating system can predict when to stop charging them automatically. Instead of charging to 100 percent, the AirPods will stop charging at 80 percent, and then resume later. This will prevent the AirPods from sit at 100 percent charge over an extended period of time.
Experts opine that lithium-ion batteries, used by Apple products, shouldn’t be 100 percent charged. Thus, this new feature can extend the battery’s life by minimising topping off.
 

Apple CEO Tim Cook on June 23 condemned US President Donald Trump's decision to ban guest workers from coming into the country. Tim Cook said he is very disappointed by the proclamation while adding that "like Apple, this nation of immigrants has always found strength in our diversity, and hope in the enduring promise of the American Dream." The recent ban by Trump would particularly affect H-1B visa holders, who are often hired by tech companies in the United States. 

EV battery tracker

Apple's Keynote WWDC event started on a high after it announced iOS14 for all its devices that are five years old and newer. The Cupertino-based company also took a giant leap towards its environmental goals as it announced that users will now be able to keep a tab on their Electric vehicle's battery status through Apple Watch with watch OS 7 (or on the desktop via macOS Big Sur). The latest feature will only support BMW and Ford cars for now but the company says it expects to launch it for other vehicles as well. 

Digital keys

Apple has announced an all-new digital keys feature for BMW 5 series that is scheduled for a launch next month. Apple said iPhone users will be able to unlock and start the car with its digital keys feature.  Apple said that it will launch the feature for iOS13 users as well so they will be able to use the option before the iOS14 launch this fall. 

Hand washing detection

Apple's week-long Keynote event is currently taking place which will go until June 26. In the WWDC 2020, Apple announced a handwashing detection feature that will come with watchOS 7. The new feature will automatically detect when the user is washing hands and will start a timer of 16 seconds. The new feature will come handy, especially at a time when the world is battling with coronavirus outbreak that requires people to wash their hands regularly. 

Workout app update

Apple's Activity app will offer a whole lot of new features in the latest watchOS 7 as users will now be able to track dance, core training, functional strength, and cool-down exercises. The Workout app update was announced by the company in its latest WWDC 2020 Keynote that is currently taking place online for developers from all over the world. The week-long event is scheduled to end on June 26. 

Apple announced a key update for its wireless earbuds during the WWDC 2020 Keynote, but it seems the new update is already live for users who have downloaded the beta version of the new iOS14. The update allows users to automatically switch from different Apple devices based on the audio input. The update will allow earbuds to automatically switch if an audio or video starts playing in an iPad from iPhone. The Air Pods will then switch back again to the iPhone if a call comes to the device. 

Apple announced the launch of all-new iPadOS 14 during its WWDC event that is currently taking place online for developers from all over the world. Apple has announced a new scribble feature that will allow iPad users to easily copy text and phrases and paste it on other apps. Scribble will work with Apple pencil and will distinguish between writing and drawing. Scribble will also have shape recognition feature that will automatically detect shapes and will help users to draw geometrically accurate shapes. 

With iOS 14, Apple has announced a host of new accessibility features to its devices. AirPods Pro could now be customized in Transparency mode to capturing multiple frames with the iPhone Magnifier function.

(Image Credits: Apple)

With the new app protocol, SwiftUI can now fit together apps, scenes, and views. Developers can now implement the features using the new commands modifier while saving time and reducing complexity.

The iOS14 picture in picture update has created a lot of buzz since it was announced in WWDC Keynote on June 22. The feature appears to have gone live for the beta version.   

Apple will introduce a new in-app purchase server notification system that will let developers know when a customer requests and receives a refund for an in-app purchase. The developer to take an action accordingly, such as revoking the purchased item.
In iOS 14, developers will receive a server notification and updated receipts with canceled transactions once a customer receives a refund. Then the developer can alert the customer about the refund and take steps to remove the content.
This, Apple says, will give developers more control over customer interactions, making gameplay more fair for all players while protecting the app's economy. 
 

(Image credit: Apple)

Apple hosted its WWDC Keynote event this week where it announced the launch of some new Softwares, including iOS14, watchOS 7, iPadOS 14. However, what fans and developers were expecting was some new hardware as well which the Cupertino-based tech giant didn't announce. Media reports suggest that Apple will announce the new hardware this fall, including AirPods Studio, AirTags, and iMac 2020. 

Apple hosted WWDC 2020 Keynote this week where it announced new software updates for iPhones, iPad, Apple Watch. Media reports suggest that Apple's design overhaul is all about preparing for Augmented Reality as the new icons now look 3D and posses shadows. Windows are now rounded given that sharp objects look threatening in Augmented Reality and Siri has also become 3D now. 

Apple hosted its WWDC Keynote this week where it announced some major software updates for its devices. iOS14 was the most prominent among them, including iPadOS 14, watchOS 7. However, this year the tech-giant has also announced a major feature for differently-abled people who use sign language to communicate. In iOS 14, FaceTime can now recognize when someone is using sign language and make them prominent in a group call. 

Apple announced the launch of MacOS Big Sur during its WWDC Keynote it hosted this week. Apps like iMessage, Mail, Safari in the new MacOS is built using Google's UI toolkit Flutter.  During the week-long event, Apple announced a streak of new Softwares for its devices, the beta version of which has already gone live for developers from across the world.

Apple hosted WWDC Keynote event this week where it announced a host of new Softwares for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and iMac. This time though the Cupertino-based company has made some cool additions for game developers and players with haptics, rumble, motion, and even the ability to properly use a keyboard and mouse for iPad gaming. Players will now be able to feel the recoil from guns and explosions.

Apple announced a series of software during this week's WWDC Keynote conference for developers. The main announcements for Apple this year were iOS14, watchOS 7, iPadOS 14 and iMac Big Sur. Some of the features announced along with the new updates are very much AI supported. These new features are handwashing detection, handwriting recognition, face recognition for home safety tools, sleep tracking, etc. 

Apple has made it easier for users to log in to their iPhones and iPads, and even on some Macs, offering the ID Touch button, and now it's coming to the web.

At the WWDC 2020, Apple is coaching web developers on how to add support for Face and Touch identification for their websites, allowing Safari users to log in without entering their username and password.

Basecamp's email application 'Hey' has announced opening the platform for anyone to join with no invite code required. The public launch of the service comes following a fight over Apple’s App Store policies just before WWDC 2020. Hey version 1.0.3 update is now available with a free 14-day trial option for iOS users along with randomised addresses.  

Image Credits: Twitter/@jasonfried