apple wwdc 2021 Archives - Gizmochina

Here’s the official list of Apple devices eligible for iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, and macOS Monterey

Sudarshan Ravichandran — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 08:30:41 +0000

Yesterday, Apple kickstarted its annual developer conference called WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) for the year 2021. At the opening keynote, the Cupertino-based tech giant unveiled the latest version of its operating systems, namely iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, and macOS Monterey. Here, in this article, let’s take a look at the list of devices that are eligible for the new update.

iOS 15 Eligible/Supported Devices

The list of supported devices for iOS 15 remains identical to last year. This means the 6-year-old iPhone 6S series and the 5-year-old iPhone SE are also eligible for the update. That said, here’s the entire list of supported iPhones and iPods.

iPhones

iPod Touch

iPod Touch 7th Generation

iPadOS 15 Eligible/Supported Devices

Just like the iPhones, all the iPads that are currently running iPadOS 14 are eligible for iPadOS 15. That means even the 7-year-old iPad Air 2nd Generation will be getting the update. With that being said, take a look at the full list of iPadOS 15 supported iPads.

iPad Pro Series

iPad Air Series

iPad Air 10.9-inch 4th Generation (2020)
iPad Air 10.5-inch 3rd Generation (2019)
iPad Air 9.7-inch 2nd Generation (2014)

iPad Mini Series

iPad Mini 7.9-inch 5th Generation (2019)
iPad Mini 7.9-inch 4th Generation (2015)

Base iPad Series

watchOS 8 Eligible/Supported Devices

Just like iPhones and iPadOS, all the Apple Watches running the current-gen watchOS 7 are eligible for watchOS 8. Hence, the 4-year-old Apple Watch Series 3 will also be receiving the update. Here’s the complete list of Apple Watches that will be updated to watchOS 8.

Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch SE
Apple Watch Series 5
Apple Watch Series 4
Apple Watch Series 3

macOS Monterey Eligible/Supported Devices

Unlike iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches, not all Macs running the current-gen macOS Big Sur will be upgraded to macOS Monterey. According to the official announcement, late 2013 MacBook Pro, 2013 MacBook Air, 2014 iMac, and 2015 MacBook are not eligible for the update.

This means only the following Macs will be updated to macOS Monterey.

Mac Pro (Late 2013 and later)
iMac Pro (2017 and later)
iMac (Late 2015 and later)
MacBook Pro (Early 2015 and later)
MacBook Air (Early 2015 and later)
MacBook (Early 2016 and later)
Mac Mini (Late 2014 and later).

The developer beta builds for all the above-mentioned Apple operating systems are already live. The public beta builds will be released in July. Last but not least, although many older devices are eligible for the new update, they may not get all the announced features due to hardware limitations.

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Apple will not launch Privacy Relay in China due to local regulations

Sean — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 07:44:03 +0000

At WWDC 2021, Apple announced a new privacy feature that would better protect the users’ data when browsing on the internet. However, the Privacy Relay feature will not be available in China, which is a major market for the company.

For those unaware, the Cupertino based giant has just held its Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday (7th June 2021) where it revealed “Privacy Relay.” This feature lets one browse the internet through Safari while their data being sent through two separate servers to better hide the users’ identity and prevent tracking of their online activity like which sites they are visiting. In other words, even the iPhone maker or the users’ network provider cannot see that data.

Essentially, this feature is a bit similar in function to a VPN (virtual private network), which is something used quite often in China to get around the Great Firewall in the region that lets the government block various websites from being accessed. But now, an Apple spokesperson told CNBC that the Private Relay feature will not be arriving in users in China. Furthermore, the feature will also skip certain other regions like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Belarus, and even Uganda.

The company stated that the reason it is not launching the feature in the aforementioned countries is due to local laws. At the moment, the use of VPN to access blocked websites in China is illegal. Since the new Privacy Relay feature works in a similar manner, the brand could face trouble with the local authorities. Back in 2017, Apple even removed a number of VPN apps from its App Store to comply with the laws in the region.

Apple watchOS 8 brings support for Ultra-wideband technology & several new features

Jed John Ikoba — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 04:23:39 +0000

At the WWDC 2021 which was held on Monday in the US, Apple also announced a new operating system for its smart wearables, the watchOS 8. The new OS version arrives with some innovative features ahead of its predecessor. The Developer version of the watchOS 8 is now available to members of Apple’s Developer team, while the public beta version will be released this fall.

Quite importantly, the watchOS 8 has support for Ultra-Wideband connectivity and your smartwatch can activate a smart device using its buttons and the redesigned Home app. It is also possible to broadcast messages within the home ecosystem of smart wearables.

The watchOS is the driving force behind Apple’s smart wearables ecosystem, and this latest version features an improved Photos app, with a new grid view of your photos. A few additional functionalities are available. Users can share photos via the iMessage app, add text to photos through Scribble and Dictation.

Apple seeks to scale up the support from its smart wearable devices as health and fitness gadgets. The Mindfulness app is designed to remind the user of several activities that will help to enhance health and fitness generally. Some of these activities including relaxation breathing, thinking positive thoughts, and others.

The Apple watchOS 8 will generate data on various perspectives on the user’s health and fitness. Sleep patterns could be easily mapped. A few additional modes have also been included in the Fitness app. Specifically, Tai Chi and Pilates exercise modes have been added.

Smart wearable devices have taken a whole new direction in the height of the coronavirus pandemic last year. A particular study showed that an Apple smart wearable device could identify the possibility of being infected several days before physical symptoms.

Official: Apple to host a virtual WWDC 2021 from June 7

Balaji S — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 14:44:34 +0000

Just like last year, Apple has confirmed that the Annual WorldWide Developer Conference will be held as an online-only event. The event will begin on June 7, 2021, and is sure to include a lot of announcements including new iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and more.

WWDC 2021, Credit: Apple

In a press release, Apple says that it is committing $1 million to SJ Aspires, an education and equity initiative launched by the City of San José. This is to compensate for the virtual event and in turn, support the local economy. This commitment is also a part of its $100 million Racial Equity and Justice Initiative.

Talking about the event itself, the WWDC 2021 will take place as an all-online event from June 7 to June 11. As always, the focus will be on developers and it is likely that Apple may release Developer Betas of the new OS. Speaking of which, we can expect the next iteration of the Apple operating systems at the keynote speech of the event.

That is, the iOS 15(iPhone), iPadOS 15(for iPads), watchOS 8(Apple Watch), macOS 12(MacBooks, Mac mini/Pro/iMac), and tvOS 15(Apple TV) are likely to debut at the event. Although the event is focused heavily on software, don’t exclude a few surprise hardware announcements just yet.

If you recall, back in 2019, Apple surprised everyone with the Mac Pro at the WWDC event, and in previous years like 2017, it has brought HomePod, iMac, and iPad products as well.

Coming back, apart from the new OS, the event is also said to include Swift Student Challenge, online sessions, 1:1 labs for technical guidance, and more. Also, the admissions for all the developers are said to free of cost so you don’t have to shell out big bucks for the entry.

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