Apple WWDC 2016: iPhone maker announces iOS 10, Siri for Mac and new iMessage
- Apple unveiled iOS 10, the latest iteration of its mobile software, which includes a softer aesthetic, an interactive lock screen, and personalised home screen widgets.
- The software update also includes a revamp of Music, News, Maps and Home Kit.
- Siri launched on Mac, as it was given a massive makeover that includes voicemail transcription, image search and writing messages.
- WatchOS and tvOS have been redesigned too, with the Apple Watch becoming faster and more health-focused, and TV gaining enhanced search.
- OS X was rebranded macOS, the next generation of which will be called Sierra and come complete with Siri, Apple Pay and auto-unlock. A host of new features also make it easier to work across Apple devices.
Summary :
Apple has revealed plans for all its devices in the coming year including a more intelligent Siri and Messages app, quicker Apple Watch and easier to use laptops.
At the technology firm's annual software conference, WWDC, chief executive Tim Cook and fellow executives revealed software updates for all of Apple's products - iPhone, iPad, Mac computers, Apple Watch and Apple TV - with Mr Cook saying the company's work "should lift humanity".
The annual refresh of the mobile operating system saw iOS 10 unveiled. The most prominent feature revolves around the Messages app, which has seen its interactivity expanded. Users will be able to replace words with emoji in a single tap, and send handwritten notes, while special "invisible ink" messages will appear when the screen is swiped, and animations can be added to a conversation that fill the entire screen.
The app has also been opened to developers for the first time so it can be used to complete financial transactions and other tasks.
The move is seen by some as a response to the growing popularity of other messaging apps, including WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
As part of the update to Apple's desktop computer software, OS X was renamed macOS, with this year's version named Sierra after the mountain range that spans California and Nevada.
Siri, Apple's voice-based virtual assistant, has been added to the Mac for the first time, as has the ability to pay using Apple Pay. An option to use the payment service will appear on websites, with confirmation requests sent to a user's phone, where they can use their fingerprint to authorise them.
Mac users will also be able to use their Apple Watch to unlock a Mac when in close proximity to their laptop.
Apple Music, the subscription-based streaming service launched at WWDC last year, was also given a redesign after many reported the app to be too confusing to use. A user's existing music library has been pushed to the front of the app, with more playlist suggestions being offered by Apple.
All the updates showcased are being made available to developers this week, ahead of free upgrades for all Apple customers in the autumn.
Mr Cook took time out at the beginning of the presentation to pay tribute to the victims of the Orlando shootings, telling the auditorium that Apple offered its "deepest condolences to everyone whose lives were touched by the violence", before leading a moment's silence in tribute.
India at WWDC
There was quite a bit of India at the WWDC keynote from Priyanka Chop featuring on the homescreen of the redesigned Apple Music app to Craig Federighi, Apple’s SVP Software Engineering (macOS, iOS 10), trying to order a deconstructed samosa from a Indian food cart using the revamped messaging app. Indian food ordering app Zomato found a mention when new features in Maps where being shown. However, there was more for the Chinese audience, as it is still a much bigger market for Apple.
Watch WWDC 2016 keynotes in the following video:
