New Delhi: Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference 2015 (WWDC 2015) in San Francisco kicked off with CEO Tim Cook declaring the event "the epicenter of change" for both Apple and the industry. The Cupertino giant announced new updates to their software and some major announcements at the conference for software developers. Here are the highlights of the event:
1. Apple says this fall's update to its Mac operating system will be called El Capitan — the name of a landmark in Yosemite National Park. It follows a recent practice of Apple naming the Mac operating system after geographical locations in California. The 2013 update was called Mavericks, the name of a surfing area in the San Francisco Bay area. Last year's version was called Yosemite.
The new Mac system will be more formally known as OS X 10.11, as it's the 11th update to a system adapted from the NeXT operating system that co-founder Steve Jobs brought to Apple when he returned in 1997 after an exile.
2. New updates to Apple's Mac operating system include the ability to run multiple apps in split-screen mode. It allows people to take advantage of the computer's full screen. You could have done that before by resizing windows, but that takes more time. The feature has similarities to what Microsoft offers in Windows 8.
Other updates include the ability to pin frequently visited sites on a bar at the top of the Safari browser, the ability to compose multiple emails in the Mail app through the use of tabs - similar to what Web browsers now have, the improved searching across the entire computer, and tools for faster graphical performance.
3. Apple promises that Siri will be an even better virtual assistant. Siri will try to be more proactive — akin to what Google already does with Google Now and has plans to do with the upcoming Now on Tap feature. For instance, when a call from an unfamiliar number comes in, Siri will look through your email and give you an indication of who that might be. Siri will also give you reminders to leave for meetings, factoring in current traffic. Siri can also handle more complex requests, such as ones to show you all photos from a particular place and time.
4. Apple says it's expanding its Apple Pay mobile-payment service next month to the United Kingdom, the service's second market after the US.
In the US, Apple says 1 million retail locations will accept contactless-payment services such as Apple Pay by next month. The locations will include chains such as Trader Joe's and JC Penney.
With this fall's upgrade to the iOS mobile operating system, Apple Pay will let people add store credit cards, such as loyalty and gift cards from Dunkin' Donuts.
5. Apple is finally bringing public transit support to Apple Maps. It was one of the biggest gaps when Apple replaced Google Maps as the default mapping app on iPhones and iPads in 2012.
Tapping on a station will show you all the lines that run through it, along with upcoming departure times. You can also get step-by-step directions that include the walk to the station.
The transit feature will be available in select cities around the world initially. It's part of iOS 9 expected in September.
6. Apple will offer a new app for news, with a personalised feed based on your interests and choices. The app pulls text, photos and video from a variety of sources. Stories that use Apple's new News format will look best on the app. Features include the ability to save articles to read later and to get suggestions on new publishers and topics by selecting "explore."
The app will initially be offered in the US, the UK and Australia.
7. The iPad tablet will look and act more like a Mac personal computer starting this fall. A key feature is the ability to run multiple apps side by side. It's already possible to run multiple apps, but you see one at a time and have to keep switching. Now you can be browsing in Safari and slide in a second app such as Mail or Calendar from the right side. There's also a split-screen view similar to what's coming to the new Mac operating system this fall. You'll also be able to watch video in a small window while doing other things on the iPad.
Other features include the ability to turn the on-screen keyboard into a trackpad, similar to a Mac. There are also shortcuts for switching between apps. Some of the new features won't work with iPads that are more than a few years old.
8. The iOS 9 update coming this fall will also have battery improvements and improved security.
9. Health-related improvements include tracking for hydration and ultraviolet exposure, while smart-home features include supporting sensors for carbon monoxide. App developers would take advantage of these tools in building new apps and devices.
10. In future cars that support Apple's CarPlay, you'll be able to do more on the car's dashboard without taking the phone out of your bag or pocket.
11. To get iOS 9, you'll need less free space than before to upgrade wirelessly. That was a complaint with iOS upgrades in previous years. The new software will work with all phones and tablets that currently support iOS 8, though not all features will work with older devices.
12. Apple says app developers will be able to make apps specifically for the watch and interact directly with the watch's sensors and controls, such as the dial. Third-party apps for the Apple Watch have been limited to being extensions of apps that run on the iPhone. With native app support, third-party fitness apps will be able to work without a phone nearby.
Apps will also be able to play audio using the watch's speaker and tap its microphone. The next version of Watch OS will also have new watch faces, including those featuring your personal photos and albums. Raise your wrist, and a different photo from the album shows up.
13. Jimmy Iovine, co-founder of Beats Electronics, introduces Apple Music, an app that combines a 24-hour, seven-day live radio station called "Beats 1" with an on-demand music streaming service. "Beats 1," led by former BBC host Zane Lowe, will be broadcast live out of Los Angeles, New York and London.
The app will also give artists a forum called "Connect" to allow them to interact with fans by releasing demos, playlists, soundbites, videos and songs. Iovine says the app brings together elements of the music world that are confusing and currently spread across many apps.
Apple Music will be available starting on June 30 in over 100 countries. Starting on June 30, music fans around the world are invited to a 3-month free membership, after which a $9.99/month subscription fee will apply. There will also be a family plan providing service for up to six family members available for just $14.99/month.
(With inputs from Associated Press)
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