Another year, another Apple WWDC24 filled with key updates and highlights that got us all excited for the future of tech. This year, the lineup looks to be full and encompasses nearly the entire Apple ecosystem; from iPhone to iPad, Mac, Watch, Home, and more.
One major takeaway from this Apple WWDC24 is that the tech giant is finally ready to push out its upgraded AI capabilities: Apple Intelligence. It will come alongside iOS 18 and the other ecosystem’s new OS updates, further elevating what it means to use a smart device.
It’s a lot to take in, but we summarise the key highlights for you below.
Apple Vision Pro will not be in Malaysia yet
But it will be available for pre-order in Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and mainland China from June 14 onwards. If you have any causeway connections, it’s time to put them to good use now. Find out more about the Apple Vision Pro’s capabilities here.
Redesign and customise iPhone apps
No more using Shortcuts to create an aesthetic iPhone screen—with the new iOS 18, Apple is finally offering customisation options for your iPhone apps. On your Home Screen, you can now rearrange the apps in any way instead of affixed tiles. Apps and widgets can also have a dark or tinted effect, or even made to appear larger.
More control over your Control Centre
We often rely on our Control Centre for quick and easy access to certain fixed iPhone apps but with iOS 18, the capabilities are further elevated. Now, you can add media playback, Home controls, connectivity, and third-party apps. The new redesign will also offer the ability to customise how the controls are laid out, its size, and grouping.
Passwords gets its own app
There are too many things in life to keep track of, and the last thing you need is to remember your login passwords. If you have been steadily relying on Apple’s Passwords feature, you’ll be glad to know that it’s finally getting its own app, so you don’t have to go through Settings any longer.
Privacy gets elevated
In iOS 18, privacy will be elevated even further. You can now lock apps, hide them, or move them to a locked, hidden apps folder. When you lock or hide an app, it will also be hidden from search and notifications. With the new privacy features, you can also choose to share specific contacts with an app, and you can now seamlessly connect third-party accessories with your iPhone without letting the app see all the other devices on your network.
Apple Intelligence
Where do we even begin with Apple Intelligence? The tech giant’s AI backing is finally here with iOS 18, and it’s designed to make your iPhone experience even more intuitive. The capabilities of Apple Intelligence include:
- ChatGPT for Apple: Apple will be integrating ChatGPT within iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. Siri can also immediately tap into ChatGPT expertise.
- Writing assistance: Rewrite, proofread, and summarise text on nearly any app.
- Smart images: Create playful images with Image Playground to insert into your Messages, edit photos by removing distractions with the Clean Up tool in Photos, and create photo slideshows just via a description.
- Private Cloud Compute: When using Private Cloud Compute, data is not stored or made accessible to Apple and is only used to fulfil your requests. Independent experts can verify this privacy, according to Apple.
- Solve math on Notes: Any formulas and equations you enter on the Notes app can be solved with Math Notes. You can collapse sections and highlight equations for further emphasis.
- Record, transcribe, summarise: Do all of the above in the Notes and Phone apps. Participants in the calls will be notified that they are being recorded at the start and end of the call. When the call ends, Apple Intelligence will generate a summary with key points.
and more.
iPadOS 18
iPadOS 18 will share similar updates to iOS 18: app customisation abilities, Apple Intelligence, and more. The iPad will also finally have a dedicated Calculator app to work in tandem with Math Notes. Writing with the Apple Pencil now has an even better experience with Smart Script, making handwritten notes fluid, flexible, and easier to read while maintaining the look and feel of your own handwriting.
iPad users will also enjoy a redesigned tab bar, which will float above app content. You will now be able to reorder or add other tabs from the sidebar for a customised in-app experience.
macOS Sequoia
Another part of the Apple ecosystem is also getting major upgrades: macOS Sequoia. Desktop users will also enjoy Apple Intelligence, the new Passwords app, and more. What’s more, Apple is introducing iPhone Mirroring, allowing you to use your iPhone on your Mac. Seamlessly drag and drop items between your iPhone and Mac while your phone remains locked.
Productivity is also elevated on the Mac with window tiling, an intuitive system where macOS Sequoia automatically suggests a tiled position on their desktop. Release your window right into place, quickly arrange tiles side by side, or place them in corners to keep even more apps in view.
watchOS 11
Fitness is taken to new heights with the new watchOS 11 update. The Vitals app is better than ever, allowing you to measure important health metrics during sleep such as heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, and blood oxygen. Pregnant users will get something too in this update: the Cycle Tracking app on Apple Watch will show their gestational age, and they can log symptoms during pregnancy. The Apple Watch will also prompt them to review other symptoms, such as high heart rate notifications.
If you’re looking to really track your training, the new Training Load will measure the duration and intensity of your workouts. You can also customise your Activity Rings to the day, and pause them on rest days or sick days.