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 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.

Apple announces iOS 15 with improvements to Facetime, Apple Maps, and a few other tweaks

Jed John Ikoba — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 03:48:06 +0000

Apple has announced the latest software update to its operating system with the new improved iOS 15. The new operating system for iPhones was perhaps the biggest news of the WWDC 2021 event. The iOS 15 is already available to Apple Developer members, while the public beta version will come on stream with a public beta by July 2021.

A major highlight of the iOS 15 is the overhauling of the video chat feature via Facetime to accommodate new features and provide a very compelling real-time communication within the apple device. The iOS 15 will have the spatial audio feature incorporated into Facetime to provide a more exciting video chat experience on the latest operating system from Apple.

The spatial audio feature will enable users to hear the recipients from the direction of the Apple device. The spatial audio will give an all-round quality to the audio setup. Background noise reduction helps to get clearer communication from the other end of the video chat. The purpose of the spatial audio feature is to have a more immersive conversation between several users without interference from their environments. It is possible to generate FaceTime links and share them with your friend who may have an iOS or Android device, meaning that FaceTime calls now have Android support.

The Apple Maps will get a revamped layout. More detailed maps in select cities would be available. Navigation will be seamless with 3D content and a solid experience.

Another addition is the Portrait Mode which will enable users to tinker with the view of their screen background. The SharePlay feature on FaceTime enables you to easily use and share content from one FaceTime user to another FaceTime user. It is also possible to enjoy audio content from several Apple platforms with a FaceTime call.

Apple has also made it easy for developers to add FaceTime support in their apps. Tik Tok, ESPN, NBA, and HBO Max are among several brands that have now interfaced FaceTime into their processes. With the innovations Apple had included on FaceTime, we expect greater use of the app on iOS.

Notifications have also been enhanced, with a Notification Summary present. Unlike a long string of items, the new Notification summary shows a single tile.

Apple to unveil its AR/VR headset in ‘next several months’: Report

Sean — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 12:34:00 +0000

The long rumored Apple AR/VR Headset is apparently arriving within the “next several months.” The news arrives from a new report that believes that the company might not announce the new product at its online WWDC 2021 in June.

According to an Bloomberg report, the Cupertino based giant is planning on launching a mixed reality headset sometime within the next several months. Although, the report further added that the iPhone maker would likely not want to make the announcement for a new range of product at an online event and that it would want to its employees, the media, its partners, and the developers to be present in the room.

Furthermore, the report also says that the WWDC 2021 event will be the company’s last event in the digital format as it would return to in person media event by early next year. Bloomberg believes that the company ‘makes hardware’ and it wants attendees, along with its employees as well, to bring back the in person use, test, and development of these products. Earlier this week, Apple had announced that it would host its WWDC 2021 event online and on June 11.

During this event, the consumer electronics maker will be talking about the future of softwares like iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. For those unaware, Apple has been rumored to be working on an AR/VR headset, which is said to be a lightweight device that costs anywhere between 1,000 to 3,000 US Dollars. Unfortunately, while various patents have surfaced online, there are no finer details and specifications known at the moment. So stay tuned.

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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