At 10:00am on 10 June (3:00am AEST on 11 June), Apple held its highly anticipated Worldwide Developers Conference or WWDC 2024, unveiling an array of groundbreaking innovations. Among the highlights was the introduction of Apple Intelligence, described as “AI for the rest of us,” which promises to revolutionise how users interact with their devices.
Exciting updates were also announced for iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11, and visionOS 2, each bringing a host of new features and enhancements designed to elevate the user experience across Apple’s ecosystem.
iOS 18 Makes iPhone More Personal & Capable
Apple has shown a preview of iOS 18, an update that introduces new customisation options, a major redesign of the Photos app, and Apple Intelligence, a personal intelligence system. Here’s a detailed look at what iOS 18 brings to the iPhone.
New Levels Of Customisation & Capability
iOS 18 offers users unprecedented ways to personalise their iPhone. The Home Screen can now be customised by arranging apps and widgets in any open space, including above the dock for easy access. This flexibility allows users to frame their wallpaper perfectly.
Control Centre has also been redesigned for easier access to frequently used controls and now includes support for third-party app controls, allowing users to quickly unlock a vehicle or start capturing content for social media from one place. Users can also customise the Action Button on iPhone 15 Pro and the buttons at the bottom of the Lock Screen, adding or removing controls as needed.
Photos Gets New Updates
The Photos app has received its biggest-ever redesign in iOS 18. A simplified, single view displays a familiar grid, and new collections help users browse by themes without having to organise content into albums. Autoplaying content throughout the app brings libraries to life, enabling users to relive past moments while browsing. Collections can be pinned to keep favourites easily accessible, and the app is customisable to reflect each user’s unique library.
Stay Connected In Messages
iMessage now includes all-new text effects, allowing users to animate any letter, word, phrase, or emoji with dynamic appearances. New formatting options such as bold, underline, italics, and strikethrough enhance expression and Tapbacks have been expanded to include any emoji or sticker.
Additionally, users can compose messages and schedule them to send later. When cellular or Wi-Fi connections aren’t available, Messages via satellite ensures users can still send and receive texts, emoji, and Tapbacks over iMessage and SMS.
Enhancements To Mail
Mail in iOS 18 introduces on-device categorisation, sorting incoming email into categories like Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions. A new digest view consolidates all relevant emails from a business, making it easier for users to scan and prioritise important messages.
Big Updates to Safari
Safari will offer Highlights in iOS 18, a feature that surfaces key information about a webpage, and a redesigned Reader experience. These updates make it easier to discover information and enjoy articles without distractions. Users can quickly review summaries of articles, see locations of places, or listen to music tracks directly from articles.
Introducing The Passwords App
The new Passwords app consolidates passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes in one place. It also alerts users to common weaknesses in their passwords, such as those that are easily guessed or have appeared in data leaks.
This moves Passwords from inside Settings to a dedicated App for your passwords, passkeys, and verification codes.
New Privacy Features
iOS 18 enhances user privacy with locked and hidden apps, ensuring that private information remains unseen by others. Users can now lock apps with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, and choose to share specific contacts with apps. This update also improves the pairing of third-party accessories without exposing all devices on a user’s network.
Welcome, Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence is the new innovative personal intelligence system seamlessly integrated into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. Leveraging the power of generative models and personal context, it offers advanced capabilities in understanding and creating language, simplifying communication, and enhancing productivity across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
With a strong focus on privacy, Apple Intelligence introduces Private Cloud Compute, ensuring secure, scalable computational capacity for complex tasks. This system revolutionises AI interaction, providing users with intuitive, private, and highly relevant assistance tailored to their needs.
Learn more about Apple Intelligence.
Get Ready For Apple Intelligence On iPhone
Apple Intelligence is deeply integrated into iOS 18, enhancing writing, communication, and image creation. New systemwide Writing Tools allow users to rewrite, proofread, and summarise text nearly everywhere they write. Image Playground lets users create playful images in seconds, choosing from Animation, Illustration, or Sketch styles.
Apple Intelligence also powers Memories in Photos, creating stories based on descriptions and arranging photos into movies with narrative arcs. Siri becomes more natural and contextually relevant, and users can now type to Siri and switch between text and voice.
Apple Vision Pro Comes To Australia
Apple Vision Pro is also coming to Australia will be available for pre-order starting Friday, 28 June, at 10pm AEST, with availability beginning on Friday, 12 July. The wearable device will be priced starting at A$5,999 and will come with storage capacities of 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB.
Customers in Australia can purchase the Vision Pro through Apple or pre-order with us now.
visionOS 2
Apple has unveiled visionOS 2, a significant update to Apple Vision Pro that introduces new spatial computing experiences. The update includes a feature that allows users to create spatial photos from their existing library, new hand gestures for navigating visionOS, and enhancements to Mac Virtual Display, Travel Mode, and Guest User.
With over 2,000 spatial apps available and support for more than 1.5 million iOS and iPadOS apps, visionOS 2 empowers developers to create richer, more volumetric experiences. Additionally, visionOS 2 introduces new tools for developers, including APIs and frameworks that make it easier to create immersive 3D objects and collaborative experiences.
The update also brings HealthKit to Vision Pro, opening up new possibilities for health and fitness apps. VisionOS 2 underscores Apple’s commitment to advancing spatial computing and providing users with innovative and immersive experiences.
Updates To Mac With macOS Sequoia
macOS Sequoia introduces a host of new features and enhancements designed to elevate the Mac experience to unprecedented levels of productivity and intelligence. One of the standout features is iPhone Mirroring, which seamlessly integrates the iPhone with the Mac, allowing users to access and control their iPhone directly from their macOS interface. This enhanced Continuity feature provides users with the convenience of using their iPhone apps and receiving notifications without switching devices.
Additionally, Safari receives a significant upgrade with the new Highlights feature, which simplifies information discovery on webpages, alongside a redesigned Reader and improved video viewing capabilities.
Gaming, Now On Mac
Gaming on Mac also takes a leap forward with macOS Sequoia, offering a more immersive experience and a compelling lineup of new titles such as Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Frostpunk 2.
Apple Intelligence On Apple Silicon
The introduction of Apple Intelligence further enhances the user experience by providing advanced generative AI capabilities for writing, image creation, and photo management. Built with privacy in mind, Apple Intelligence leverages the power of Apple silicon to deliver smart, contextually relevant assistance across macOS, iOS, and iPadOS.
Additional Tools
With additional productivity tools like the new Passwords app, enhanced window tiling, and improved video conferencing features, macOS Sequoia is set to transform the way users interact with their Macs, making everyday tasks more efficient and enjoyable.
AirPods Software Updates
Apple has announced some transformative updates for AirPods that will enhance user interactions and audio experiences. The new features, including Siri Interactions and Voice Isolation, are set to make communication more seamless and intuitive.
AirPods Pro can now respond to Siri with simple head nods or shakes, enabling private and convenient interactions. The Voice Isolation feature ensures superior call quality even in noisy environments by leveraging machine learning to isolate the speaker’s voice.
Additionally, the updates will significantly reduce audio latency for gaming, introduce Personalised Spatial Audio, and improve voice quality during gaming chats. These enhancements will be available as a free firmware update this spring.
Finally, A Calculator In iPadOS 18
iPadOS 18 marks a significant advancement in the iPad’s capabilities, introducing a range of features designed to enhance productivity, creativity, and personalisation. One of the standout features is Calculator with Math Notes, which allows users to type or write mathematical expressions and see them solved in real-time.
This feature is particularly useful for students and professionals who need to work with complex calculations. Additionally, the new handwriting tools in Notes, coupled with the Apple Pencil, offer a more fluid and flexible way to take notes and express ideas, maintaining the personal touch of handwritten text while enhancing legibility and editing capabilities.
Updates To iOS Means Updates To iPadOS
The update also brings new ways to customise the iPad experience, including redesigned Home Screen and Control Centre options. Users can now customise app icons and widgets on the Home Screen, as well as add controls from third-party apps to the Control Centre.
The redesigned tab bar enhances navigation, making it easier for users to access their favourite tabs within apps. Furthermore, the Photos app receives a major redesign, offering a simplified view of photo libraries and new ways to organise and enjoy memories.
Yes, Apple Intelligence On iPad
These updates, combined with the introduction of Apple Intelligence, which integrates AI capabilities across the system, make iPadOS 18 the most versatile and intelligent iPadOS release yet, catering to a wide range of user needs.
Don’t Forget Apple Watch
Lastly, there is new features with watchOS 11, the latest iteration of the Apple Watch operating system, offering more insights into health and fitness. A new Vitals app provides a snapshot of key health metrics, while training load measurements offer valuable insights into workout impact.
Customisable Activity Rings
Activity rings are now more customisable, allowing users to tailor their goals to fit their unique needs. The Smart Stack and Photos face offer enhanced personalisation, and the Translate app brings added convenience.
Availability
The developer beta of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia and other developer betas are available through the Apple Developer Program starting today, and public betas will be available next month. iOS 18, iPad OS 18 and macOS Sequoia will be available as a free software update this spring. For more information, visit Apple’s iOS 18 Preview.
Will your iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch or iPad work with the upcoming updates? Learn more by visiting our update compatibility guide.