Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, WWDC 2024 is underway, with the keynote address scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. ET, 10 a.m. PT, 6 p.m. BST and 10:30 p.m. IST today. The event, running from June 10 to 14 at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, promises major announcements in AI, software updates, and new product releases.
WWDC has historically been a launchpad for Apple’s significant software and technology updates. This year, expectations are high as Apple hints at incorporating artificial intelligence into its ecosystem, with potential updates to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and more. CEO Tim Cook will deliver the keynote address, which can be livestreamed on Apple’s website, YouTube channel, and the Apple TV app, or you can click here watch along while reading this article.
Here are the latest updates from WWDC 2024, listed from most recent to oldest:
Keynote Concludes
The keynote wraps up with a summary of all the platform updates and Apple Intelligence features announced. Stay tuned for more information from the Tom’s Guide crew, but Apple’s portion of the keynote has concluded.
Device Compatibility, Preview Status, Developer Integration
Apple Intelligence will be available on the iPhone 15 Pro or later, as well as any Mac or iPad with an M Series chipset. Initially, it will be listed as a preview feature.
Apple details how developers can leverage Apple Intelligence. The key takeaway is that third-party apps will have access to AI capabilities, enabling them to integrate advanced features into their applications.
ChatGPT Integration
Apple is integrating ChatGPT into Siri and system-wide writing tools. Users won’t need a ChatGPT account to access these features. Notifications will indicate when ChatGPT is being used, and users will be asked for permission before any information is shared.
Voice Memos and Integration Across Devices
Voice Memos now include transcripts and summaries, thanks to Apple Intelligence. This feature will be integrated into macOS Sequoia, iOS 18, and iPadOS 18, at no additional cost.
Apple Intelligence: AI Story Creation Feature
Apple Intelligence introduces a new feature that uses prompts to pull photos and videos from your library to create a story, complete with chapters and music. This offers an evolution of auto-generated photo galleries, giving you more control over the content and prompts used to create your personalized stories.
Image Wand, Photo Cleanup – Challenging Google
The Notes app now features an Image Wand, which transforms rough sketches into cleaner images using Image Playground, making notes more visual and engaging.
Photo editing introduces a Clean Up tool to remove distracting objects in the background of photos, similar to Google’s Magic Eraser.
Apple Intelligence also enhances searches, including the ability to find specific parts of videos.
GenMojis and Image Playground
Apple Intelligence introduces GenMojis, allowing you to create unique emojis using your keyboard. For instance, you can design a T-rex in a tutu on a surfboard, making your conversations more expressive.
Image Playground, integrated into apps like Messages, lets you choose themes, places, and more. Apple Intelligence provides previews of different images, enabling you to select and use them in your text messages.
Apple Intelligence: Enhanced Email and Notification Summaries
With Apple Intelligence, the Mail app will now display email summaries in previews instead of the first few lines, giving you a clearer idea of the message content.
Summaries also apply to notifications. Priority notifications appear at the top of a stack and are summarized, allowing you to quickly grasp the essential information.
Siri’s Updates Across Devices and Apple Intelligence Writing Tools
The new Siri enhancements will be available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Apple is also showcasing new writing tools powered by Apple Intelligence. These include a Rewrite feature that provides suggestions on phrasing and tone, demonstrated in the Mail app. Additionally, a Summarize feature can condense your emails, creating a TL;DR to include in your messages.
Siri’s Expanded Skills and Developer Integration
Siri’s enhanced capabilities will be available to developers for integration into their apps, likely at a later date.
Siri now understands personal context, such as photos and hotel bookings. You can ask Siri to find items even if you don’t remember which app they were in.
For example, you can ask Siri when your mom’s flight is landing, and Siri will retrieve that data from shared information.
Meet the New Siri with Apple Intelligence
Introducing the new Siri, enhanced with Apple Intelligence. The updated Siri features a new look, with a light that illuminates around the edge of your screen.
Siri now understands context, recognizing the location of a task based on previous requests, even if not explicitly mentioned. You can describe a feature, and Siri will determine what it is, such as scheduling text messages for later.
Siri will also gain new features over time, like on-screen awareness, allowing you to send messages to a contact currently displayed on your screen. Additionally, Siri can now follow image editing directions and handle cross-app commands, providing a more seamless and integrated user experience.
Apple Underscores Privacy with Intelligence
Apple is emphasizing privacy with Apple Intelligence, primarily using on-device AI for enhanced security. This feature is available on devices with A17 chipsets or Apple’s M series silicon.
For tasks requiring larger AI models and server support, Apple introduces Private Cloud Compute. This system runs on specially designed servers powered by Apple silicon, ensuring that your data is not stored or shared with Apple. Apple Intelligence’s architecture will determine whether a task can be handled on the device or if server support is needed.
Apple Intelligence: Natural Commands and Contextual Actions
Apple Intelligence is designed to perform actions based on natural commands, such as “Show me the files my boss shared with me the other day.” It focuses on context, processing data like people, events, and locations to answer queries. For example, it can determine if a rescheduled meeting will affect your ability to attend your child’s play across town.
Apple Intelligence: Capabilities and Features
Apple Intelligence, built on large-language models, introduces new writing tools across multiple apps and prioritizes notifications.
In terms of images, users can create personalized original images, such as a friend celebrating their birthday. Available modes include sketch, animation, and illustration, supported in apps throughout the system.
Apple Intelligence Announced
Apple has officially unveiled its AI initiative, cleverly named Apple Intelligence (AI), playing on the acronym for Artificial Intelligence. Tim Cook describes it as “beyond artificial intelligence,” emphasizing its personalized nature. “It has to be personal intelligence,” Cook states, highlighting Apple’s unique approach to AI.
macOS 15 Sequoia: Enhanced Game Porting, Ubisoft Game Titles coming M-chip based devices
Apple’s new Game Porting Toolkit simplifies the process for developers to bring sophisticated games to the Mac, with tools for porting games to the iPad and iPhone as well. Ubisoft announces their games will soon be available on macOS and iPadOS on M-chip based devices. Apple focuses on making Macs inclusive of users into gaming as well.
Developer betas are available now, with public betas of all discussed features coming in July. Full versions will be released later this year.
Safari gains new features
Safari in macOS 15 Sequoia introduces a summaries feature, providing quick access to key information about web pages. The new Viewer feature highlights videos on a web page, automatically switching to picture-in-picture mode if you navigate away.
macOS 15 Sequoia: Easy Window Management and New Apps
In macOS 15 Sequoia, dragging a window to the screen’s edge will prompt resizing suggestions for tiling. The new Presenter Preview feature works with FaceTime and Zoom, showing what others will see during video calls and allowing for virtual backgrounds.
A new Passwords app debuts, organizing passwords, verification codes, and security alerts. This cross-device app is available on phones, tablets, and the Vision Pro.
macOS 15 Sequoia: Continuity and iPhone Mirroring
Apple introduces macOS 15, named macOS Sequoia. One notable feature is iPhone Mirroring through Continuity, allowing users to view and interact with their iPhone from their Mac, even if the iPhone is not nearby. This lets users utilize their Mac’s keyboard and touchpad for their iPhone.
iPhone notifications will now appear on the Mac. Clicking a notification launches the virtual iPhone via iPhone Mirroring, while the physical iPhone remains locked.
iPad OS: Enhanced Notes App
The Notes app in iPadOS 18 now supports Math Notes, featuring an integrated calculator. Smart Script automatically tidies up your handwriting when using an Apple Pencil. Additionally, collapsible sections are being introduced, allowing for more organized and streamlined note-taking.
iPadOS 18: Calculator App and Math Notes
iPadOS 18 introduces a dedicated calculator app, redesigned for the larger tablet screen. The new Math Notes feature, supporting Apple Pencil, allows users to write out formulas on the iPad screen and get instant results from the calculator.
iPadOS 18: Enhanced Features and New Looks
iPadOS 18 introduces many features from iOS 18, including home screen personalization and Control Center customization, along with the new Photos improvements.
A floating tab bar for apps is now available system-wide. Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and Swift Playgrounds receive distinctive new looks.
SharePlay now supports tapping and drawing on your screen for remote tech support, and users can request and receive permission to take over someone else’s iPad.
watchOS 11: Smart Stacking and Check In Feature
watchOS 11 enhances smart stacking, intelligently adding widgets as needed. For example, a precipitation widget will appear before rain is forecasted.
The Check In feature from iOS 17 is now available on watchOS 11, allowing users to notify contacts of their arrival directly from their wrist.
Additionally, watchOS 11 uses machine learning to select the best photos for the Photos watchface, automatically framing the picture to complement the displayed time.
watchOS 11: Training Mode, Pausing, and Personalization
watchOS 11 introduces Training Mode, which rates workout intensity on a 1-10 scale, helping users track how their workouts affect their bodies over time. Trend lines ensure users push themselves without risking exhaustion.
Personalization options allow adjustments to what appears on the Apple Watch screen. Additionally, a new pause button for injuries ensures users don’t lose their streak in closing their activity rings.
Additionally, a new Vitals app tracks various health metrics, notifying users if they deviate from their typical ranges. The Apple Watch’s cycle tracking feature now includes pregnancy-friendly features, integrated into the Health app.
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tvOS Enhancements and New Features
tvOS now lets users look up information about actors and includes audio enhancement features for clearer dialogue. Closed captions automatically appear when you mute or rewind a broadcast.
The update also adds support for 21:9 aspect ratios on projectors and introduces new screensavers, including a live Snoopy animation that takes over your screen.
AirPods Get Gesture Support and Voice Isolation
Apple’s AirPods are getting gesture support and voice isolation. Users can soon integrate more with Siri, using head shakes for “yes” or “no” responses to calls without speaking out loud. This feature is useful in crowded settings like elevators or buses. Voice isolation will enhance call clarity, allowing the other party to hear better even in noisy environments.
New Audio and Home Updates
AirPods introduce new controls recognizing head nods and shakes to respond to Siri silently, perfect for crowded environments. Voice Isolation improves call quality by minimizing background noise. Additionally, a new API for game developers enhances gaming audio experiences.
No Major AI Announcements Yet
Apple’s current announcements focus on enhancing existing products and services, with some integrating “intelligence” and “machine-learning” capabilities. However, a significant AI reveal is still anticipated.
Additional iOS 18 Features: RCS, Reminders, and Larger Icons
iOS 18 includes support for RCS messaging, Reminders integration in Calendars, and optionally larger app icons. These enhancements round out the non-AI additions to the update.
Major Redesign for Photos App
The Photos app in iOS 18 undergoes its biggest redesign, featuring a single view with a photo grid at the top and galleries (Collections) below. New filter tools, such as filtering out screenshots, help you find specific photos easily.
The Recent Days feature organizes photos by day, while other collections like People and Pets use facial recognition for automatic album creation. There are also Trips and Pinned Collections sections. The effectiveness of the single-screen design will be better understood with hands-on use in the iOS 18 beta.
Maps, Wallet, and Game Mode Enhancements
Maps now includes topographic maps that can be saved and accessed offline. The Wallet app introduces a Tap to Cash feature, similar to AirDrop, for seamless money exchanges with other iPhone users. Additionally, a new Game Mode minimizes background activity for enhanced performance.
Mail app gets an upgrade too
The Mail app now features automatic categorization, similar to Gmail. It also integrates flight information, making it easily accessible in one place.
Messages get feature bump in iOS 18
Messages in iOS 18 introduces redesigned Tapbacks, allowing any emoji or sticker to be used. A new Send Later feature lets you schedule texts, and text formatting options like bold and italic are now available. Text Effects add special visual enhancements to your messages.
Messages via satellite on iPhone 14 and later models allows satellite connectivity for sending texts, including tapbacks and other features, even over SMS. iMessage will soon support more emoji responses beyond just thumbs up or double exclamation points, and a highly requested feature—scheduling messages—has been added.
Customizable Control Center and Enhanced Privacy
The Control Center in iOS 18 is now customizable and features multiple screens. Developers can add controls for their apps, and users can resize widgets. Camera and flashlight controls on the home screen can be swapped for other controls.
New privacy features include the ability to lock specific apps with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, preventing sensitive information from appearing elsewhere. A locked Hidden Apps folder keeps select apps hidden, and you have more control over which apps can access your contacts.
iOS 18 Customization Features
iOS 18 introduces enhanced personalization for your iPhone. You can now freely position apps on your home screen. App icons change appearance in Dark Mode, and users can adjust the tinted color of app icons to match their wallpaper or personal preference for better organization.
visionOS 2 Features
VisionOS 2 allows you to expand your virtual display to the size of two side-by-side 4K screens. It also adds Train support for video watching during commutes.
For developers, new frameworks simplify creating spatial apps. A notable addition is a tabletop API for developing table-based games playable with others on the headset.
visionOS Enhancements
Apple CEO begins with updates on visionOS, the software behind Apple VisionPro, which launched earlier this year.
The keynote starts with a focus on visionOS, now supporting over 2,000 apps specifically for VisionPro. The major highlight is visionOS 2, featuring new connectivity options and developer tools.
In the Photos app, advanced machine learning allows the creation of spatial photos from existing 2D images, adding depth. SharePlay now lets users share photos and videos with other Vision Pro users, represented as Avatars.
Apple celebrates Apple TV Plus 5th anniversary
Apple TV Plus is marking its fifth anniversary, using the occasion to highlight its expanding content library. This milestone celebration includes announcements of new and returning series.
Apple WWDC 2024 Livestream begins right on time
We’re on track to discovering what Apple has been working on. Tim Cook commences the presentation, hinting at “profound new intelligence capabilities”.
OpenAI CEO is attending WWDC 2024, Swapnanil Dhol tweets
Dhol is a Sr. iOS engineer who posted a selfie with OpenAI CEO Altman, before WWDC commences. This hints at potential AI integrations, confirming many rumours.
Tim Cook, Apple CEO, teases the event on his X (formerly Twitter) account, sharing his excitement
Apple Commemorates History
Apple commemorates its history by noting that on this day in 1977, the Apple II computers began shipping, marking a significant milestone in making personal computers accessible to the general public.
The Apple WWDC 2024 will commence with a livestream at 1:00 PM ET, 10:00 AM PT, 10:30 PM IST, or 6:00 PM BST.
You can livestream the event on Apple’s official website, on Apple’s official YouTube channel stream, or their Apple TV app
