Apple Worldwide Builders Convention Day 1: WWDC Highlights

Apple introduced sweeping adjustments to its merchandise on Monday, the primary day of its annual Worldwide Builders Convention (WWDC).

Notably, the iPhone maker confirmed rumors that it’s altering the way it names its software program updates. As an alternative of utilizing a model quantity, Apple will use a system with a quantity that represents the 12 months after the replace is launched. Apple’s subsequent replace shall be iOS 26, arriving within the fall for many Apple customers.

The naming change applies to all Apple merchandise. For instance, the following iPad replace shall be named iPadOS 26, and the following MacBook replace shall be referred to as macOS 26.

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Apple introduced different adjustments, like a brand new design and AI options. The corporate has made the entire new options accessible for testing beginning on Monday by means of the Apple Developer program, with a public beta model to be launched subsequent month and a broader replace rolling out this fall.

“We proceed to advance every of our platforms with extra methods to harness the ability of Apple Intelligence, in addition to a phenomenal new design, our product experiences turn into much more seamless and pleasing,” Apple CEO Tim Cook dinner mentioned throughout the occasion keynote.

Listed below are some fascinating new capabilities Apple debuted on Monday.

1. A brand new design with Liquid Glass

Apple made its greatest design replace ever, with a brand new design factor referred to as Liquid Glass. The translucent factor, which Apple used to craft new buttons, switches, tab bars, and notifications throughout its merchandise, seems to be like glass on the display screen and takes on the colour of its atmosphere.

“That is our broadest software program design replace ever,” Alan Dye, Apple’s vp of Human Interface Design, acknowledged in a press launch. “It combines the optical qualities of glass with a fluidity solely Apple can obtain, because it transforms relying in your content material or context.”

Apple has built-in Liquid Glass parts into its redesign, together with translucent menus that reply to a consumer’s perspective of the display screen and a brand new lock display screen with a Liquid Glass time.

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Apple’s new Liquid Glass design applies to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS for a unified look.

2. Reside Translation shall be built-in into the iPhone

Apple is bringing Reside Translation to Messages, FaceTime, and Telephone to translate textual content and audio on the spot. The AI-powered function is backed by Apple-built AI fashions that run completely domestically, so private conversations are by no means uploaded to the cloud.

Reside Translation signifies that customers can speak to one another in several languages, and have the interpretation seem on the display screen in real-time. For instance, when a consumer receives an iMessage in one other language, they’ll go for that message to be translated into their most well-liked language. On FaceTime, a consumer can hear somebody speaking in one other language whereas following together with translated stay captions.

^{Reside Translation on FaceTime. Credit score: Apple}

Reside Translation might assist overcome language limitations for enterprise calls and private calls alike.

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3. Visible intelligence will get sharper

Apple is bringing extra AI capabilities to the forefront with visible intelligence. Customers can faucet into their iPhone cameras and use what they see to ask ChatGPT questions. They’ll additionally search Google or Etsy to seek out merchandise just like what they’re .

Visible intelligence additionally acknowledges when a consumer is a poster of an occasion, and may extract the information so as to add as an occasion on their calendar.

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4. Exercise Buddy on Apple Watch

Apple is including an AI exercise companion to the Apple Watch referred to as Exercise Buddy.

Exercise Buddy considers metrics tracked by the Apple Watch, like coronary heart price, tempo, distance, and former exercises, and leverages this data to encourage customers throughout their exercises with verbal encouragement.

For instance, when a consumer begins their run, Exercise Buddy might say, “Nice job beginning your run. That is your second run this week.”

Exercise Buddy shall be accessible for exercise varieties like indoor run and out of doors cycle.