Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) — Apple kicked off its annual developer conference by unveiling iOS 16 with new features that will allow users to customize their iPhone’s lock screens, change the way they text friends through iMessage and deepen how their smartphones integrate with cars. .
These and other updates, unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday, show how Apple continues to push to ensure its devices – in particular – the iPhone remain central to our daily lives and the many products we interact with. But while these updates will likely appeal to many Apple device users, what was also noted was something that wasn’t announced: a new product.
In recent days, some industry watchers have been hoping that Apple will offer an early look at a platform thought to be called RealityOS. According to rumors, the system might power a mixed reality headset – a wearable that’s said to be capable of both VR and AR and that Apple has been rumored to be working on for years.
Instead, the focus has been on a number of functional product updates: more multitasking features on Mac software, the introduction of Apple’s Weather app on the iPad and the unveiling of the company’s next-generation M2 chip.
Here’s a closer look at some of the upcoming updates to Apple’s most important products. Updates are expected to be available to users in the fall.
Renew iMessage, lock screen, and notifications
Apple breathes new life into some iOS gadgets that haven’t been updated in years.
Perhaps the most buzzing changes have come to iMessage, including the ability to edit or unsend messages and mark messages as unread. The company said that these options are among the most requested features from users.
Apple has also introduced several new options to better customize the lock screen and improve the notification experience. iPhone users will be able to add widgets on the lock screen to get certain information at a single glance.
Extended CarPlay Options
Apple’s updates extended to its broader ecosystem of products and services, from payments and passwords to cars.
The latest version of CarPlay will come with custom iPhone-controlled UI elements that are able to work across all vehicle screens, from the center display to the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. As with other Apple updates announced on Monday, there will also be more support for gadgets and more customization options, including designs for different gauge clusters.
New payment and health features
Apple said iOS users in the US will be able to spread out payments over an 8-week period on Apple Pay, similar to the “Buy Now, Pay Later” service.
The company also continues to bet on health features. Apple Watch will soon support new personalized workout features, including heart rate and step data. In addition, sleep tracking monitoring will be improved when the user enters and exits deep and light sleep. The new My Health app will allow users to track and understand the medications people are taking and notify users when to take them.
Apple also unveiled a tool called Passkeys, which aims to replace passwords with Touch ID or Face ID for authentication across apps and devices.
New MacBooks and the M2 Chip
While the event focused on software, Apple made some hardware announcements.
Apple introduced a thinner, lighter and faster MacBook Air designed with the company’s new M2 processor. With an eight-core CPU, Apple said the M2 chip promises 18% more performance than its M1 chip.
The processor also comes with a 10-core GPU – twice that of the M1 – along with 25% better graphics performance. The M2 will also be used in a new 13-inch MacBook Pro.
MacBook Air starts at $1,099 and MacBook Pro starts at $1,299.
Apple has also touted its latest Mac software, called OS Ventura, which offers a number of multitasking features, such as the ability to share Safari tabs with friends and family, and using the iPhone as a webcam with a new product called Continuity Camera.
