WWDC 2024 Keynote: Everything You Need to Know

Which technologies should you keep an eye on? What better way is there than looking at companies like Apple and their new updates? During this year’s WWDC, Apple released a mountain of features for its Vision Pro, iOS 18, AirPods, Apple TV, WatchOS, iPadOS 18, and MacOS Sequoia.

Such releases are to be expected at WWDC 2024, the official Apple event, but what was not expected were the literally “cool” features integrated with AI—no, not Artificial Intelligence, but Apple Intelligence. Apple does this sometimes.

Let's cover the WWDC keynotes and announcements in detail to see what the future looks like from Apple’s perspective.

Vision Pro, iOS 18, Airpods, Apple TV, & Watch OS

To everyone's surprise, Apple kicked off the event by introducing Vision 2.0, just six months after Vision Pro. It features a new wrist-turn gesture for quickly checking the time and battery, plus immersive media features using advanced machine learning for spatial photos. Mac mirroring now offers up to double resolution.

iOS 18 allows users to freely place icons and customize the home screen, eliciting applause. There's a new theme engine, redesigned control center, hidden apps, scheduled texts, game mode, and more.

AirPods also got some upgrades with voice isolation, spatial audio, and gesture controls. Apple TV now identifies actors and songs during shows and enhances voice clarity. WatchOS introduces a training mode for better workout evaluation.?

iPadOS 18 includes home screen customization and other similar features as iOS 18 but two new features blew our mind. First was remote control via SharePlay, it now allows you to remotely control someone’s iPad with their permission. While it may seem like a small feature, it’s incredibly useful for providing family tech support.?

The second and the most shocking was the iPads new calculator, yes they didn’t have one until now. Well, we can say it's about time but the tech team just got overboard with it.??

Apple introduced Math Notes for the iPad, a powerful new feature that allows you to write equations by hand. The app understands your handwriting, solves the equations, and updates answers automatically if you make changes. It supports variables, enabling complex calculations and real-time graphing of equations like y = mx + b, adjusting variables dynamically.

Mac OS Sequoia and Apple Intelligence

In 2024, the world expects AI to be at the forefront of what tech companies do. Interestingly, Apple remained quite silent about AI even until halfway through the conference. They mentioned neural nets, machine learning, and various other technologies, but refrained from using the term "AI." This led many to wonder if Apple was skeptical about AI, but they were finding the right way to present it.

Apple finally embraced AI, rebranding it as "Apple Intelligence." This encompasses advanced generative models and machine learning features, available only on high-end Apple silicon devices (iPhone 15 Pro, M1 iPads, and Macs).

Key features include:

Writing Tools: Summarize, rewrite, or proofread text in Pages or Keynote.

Photo Cleanup Tool: Remove unwanted objects from photos.

Generative Emojis: Create custom emojis based on prompts.

Image Playground: Create images in sketch, illustration, and animation styles.

Notes and Phone Call Summaries: Generate summaries for better organization.

Siri Enhancements: Improved context understanding and in-app actions, with a new full-screen animation and the ability to type commands.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we saw Apple upgrading its technology as it does every year, but what attracted the most attention was the surge of AI features, putting Apple in direct competition with the latest Android tech once again. The AI trend, once considered hype, is now here to stay and is improving our lives as we know them.

For future business owners and customers, the integration of AI is a promising sign of progress. It parallels the digital revolution of the early 2000s, where businesses that adapted to new technology thrived while others faltered. The same can be said for the current wave of technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain.

Embrace the future with HCode Technology by upgrading your business today.