Apple’s recent Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) announced major updates to their phone (IOS) and computer (OSX) operating systems. The some of the most exciting announcements centred around “continuity” which is all about linking your iPhone with your iMac or Macbook. Some of the features include
- Handoff – letting devices in proximity of each other interact and share data. If you start an email on your iPhone, you Mac will be aware and offer you a prompt to finish the message on the computer, or share a Safari tab from one device to another with just a swipe.
- Call integration – If your phone is in range of your Mac, you can use your Apple laptop or computer to answer an incoming call using the computer as a giant speaker phone.
While it’s fair to say that most of the updates were for mobile devices rather than computers one welcome update was the addition of online storage to the iCloud offering with some very aggressive pricing of £2.50 per month for 200GB. Dropbox will certainly have taken notice.
A quick round up the key updates;
- A new version of iOS called iOS 8, which launches in autumn.
- A new version of Mac OS X called Yosemite, which launches in autumn, but you can test the beta version now.
- A feature that lets you make and receive calls from your Mac by connecting it to your iPhone.
- HealthKit, an app for iPhone that monitors your health with the help of third party apps and devices.
- Cloud Drive, an online file storage service.
- New features for iMessage. You can send videos and audio clips
- A system for controlling devices around your home called HomeKit.
- Swift, a tool for developers that will make it a lot easier for them to make apps.
- Metal, a tool for developers that will let them make eye-popping 3D games for iPhones and iPads.
Hardware releases are not discussed at this conference but some of the IOS updates point to a much improved camera on the next iPhone and iPad.
For the full key note speech (described by many as the most existing in years) click here
