Posted on 06/11/2021 8:40:17 AM PDT by Red Badger
Apple's annual developer event showcases future software upgradesApple VIEW 7 IMAGES
Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) has rolled around again, which means it's time for Apple to preview some of the changes coming to its software platforms later this year: iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS and more.
As usual, Apple executives had a host of improvements and upgrades to talk about at today's grand WWDC 2021 opening, many of which apply across numerous devices and OSes: the Notes app, for example, is getting support for custom tags and user mentions.
Some of the major changes in the pipeline include updates for FaceTime. The video calling app will soon offer a better audio experience, plus a grid view that mimics just about every group video calling app out there – a nod to how important the technology has become to our lives over the last year.
Significantly, FaceTime is coming to Windows and Android as well, sort of: through specific Facebook links, users on non-Apple hardware will be able to join in video calls in a web browser, with the same end-to-end encryption technology available.
iOS, together with iPadOS and macOS, is getting improved notification managementApple Another upcoming feature designed to keep us connected while we're apart is what Apple calls SharePlay: it allows several people to watch a movie or television show together on multiple Apple devices in multiple locations. Apple TV+ is of course supported, as are several other services including Hulu, Disney+ and Twitch.
Apple Maps is getting some substantial upgrades, with new 3D models and details, a revamped night mode, additional road details (including elevated highways that look elevated), and better augmented reality guidance while you're out walking. Apple Wallet, meanwhile, is going to soon be able to carry around a digital copy of your driving license in US states that support it.
Some of the iOS 15 updates include better notification management and a new Focus mode that lets you set certain notification rules and home screen layouts for different scenarios – at home, at work, at the gym, or whatever you like. Less important notifications can be summarized for you to catch up with later, while the design of these alerts is getting a more modern look as well.
Those changes will be coming to iPadOS 15 too, and Apple tablets also get the support for home screen widgets and the App Library that we first saw in iOS 14 last year. iPad users can look forward to slicker, easier multitasking controls too, with new options for putting apps side by side or on top of each other, and a better way of managing multiple windows from one particular app.
On the computing side, we now know that the next desktop software update will be called macOS Monterey. The same FaceTime, Apple Maps and other relevant upgrades are going to be included, and macOS is also gaining the Shortcuts automation app already available on iPhones and iPads.
iPadOS will soon offer full home screen widget and App Library supportApple The Apple Watch wasn't left out, and watchOS 8 is going to bring with it a new and improved watch face based on a photo of your choice, a new Mindfulness app for looking after your mental wellbeing, support for tracking your Tai Chi and Pilates workouts, and respiratory tracking during sleep.
On the iCloud side, paying users will get access to some new features under the iCloud+ name. These features include a basic VPN that Apple is calling Private Relay, and the ability to create disposable email addresses for those times when you don't want to reveal your real one (something similar already exists for Sign in with Apple).
There was plenty more too: the ability to have your notifications read out through your AirPods, improved visuals inside the default Weather app, support for live conversations in the Translate app, a feature that will flag up any increased risk of falling, a Live Text scanning feature that looks a lot like Google Lens, better sharing options in the Messages app, and so on and so on.
In fact there's so much that's new that it's all rather overwhelming, but that's WWDC and Apple's annual release cycle for you – expect to hear more details about these features over the coming months. Developer access to the updates is available now, with public betas due in July and full releases later in the year – usually in September or October, based on past history.
Sources: iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS Monterey, watchOS 8
Apple Pingy!...............
How long before turning off the cloud or location features is no longer an option?
Probably never. While Apple certainly makes money from both features (particularly cloud services), unlike Google they’re still in the customer satisfaction business not the customer data mining business. At Apple, the end user is the customer. At google, the end user is the commodity.
Unlike the competition, Apple is neither interested nor willing to sell your private information. With a court order, they will give access to your iCloud account, but they neither track nor monitor you
Android, FaceBook and Google make their living off your information
Sarbanes/Oxley Act carries a $60,000 penalty per event, per user; for intentional deception by a spokesman of a company. Both Steve Jobs and Tim Cook have been quite clear - Apple is quite happy making money off their hardware and software. They don’t need to sell your private information too
It seems to work for them.
And as the devices get smarter and are more interconnected, it is much easier for them to do it.
Be careful what you do and say Big Brother is recording your activities and yes you might be arrested in the future for something that you said or did years ago.
This guy is a good resource. Learn. Educate yourself.
Surprisingly, he is still on Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/c/BraxMe/videos
Stay safe.
On Youtube.
I bought the iPad Pro even though my 2018 model was WAY more power than I would ever need. I just wanted the screen...which probably isn’t worth the upgrade, but still great nonetheless.
After using the new OS for a couple days, it’s clear the update to iPadOS 15 is disappointing. The multitasking on the iPad still blows even though it’s got the M1 and 16gb of memory. The implementation of multitasking in the OS is clunky and laughably unintuitive. The file manager is also not what it needs to be. The device from a hardware perspective is EASILY class-leading. And, relative to Android on tablets, iPadOS is better the better, more capable OS. But, it’s not what it could be and the reason for that is (probably) Apple’s fear of cannibalizing its own MacBook sales. My dreams of a M1 2-in-1 will likely never materialize for that very reason.
I remain unhappy that Catalina and later OS versions decided that I could not have direct access to my folders. If I wanted Windows, I would have bought a PC.
What this article does not cover are the significant security upgrades that will drive people tracking you and your data crazy.
I’m not so sure.
Yes, they make bones about the occasional non-compliance with the our federal government ... even as they have done things like put their servers in ChiCom jurisdictions.
You think I don’t use those features, especially storing data off of your own hardware which you directly control, only because people might sell data?
The are part of a cabal that will monitor and control what you do and say. If not now, soon, very soon. I believe that they are already doing it.
As Braxman said — at least with a Windows and Google device, you can remove telemetry monitoring because the are an OPEN design. Apple is closed design.
Look at all those stereo types! They don’t look woke to me! lol
I am dumping Apple because they insist that everything you run comes from the Apple Store.
There are better options on the web. Plus some of the versions from the store present the app differently than what I have on my laptop....linux.
As for security, I trust one of them.
As for security, I trust one of them.
NONE NONE NONE!!!!!!
They have apparently done that. But, those allegations center around Chinese users; Apple quietly acquiesced to demands of the Chinese government that the encryption keys to Chinese iCloud user accounts be stored on servers located in China, effectively compromising the security of those keys.
That’s not good...if you’re an Apple user in China. But, you’ll notice that the FBI is never asking Google to unlock phones running on its OS. Why? Because Android is so embarrassingly unsecure, elementary school kids can defeat the security and privacy protections of Android phones.
Using technology of any kind always comes with trade-offs, compromises. Unless you’re willing to live off the grid communicating with outsiders by carrier pigeons, there’s always some risk. Unlike Google and loads of other tech companies, at least Apple puts some effort into securing the privacy of their customers.
Things can change rather quickly in management.
And living without the cloud or location services is a fair piece away from living off of the grid.
I have an Apple iPhone 12 max and an iPad Pro. But I also have several iPads that are older that I let guests use.
It is too bad that these older modules can no longer get the new upgrades. It’s like planned obsolescence.
I understand there are new hardware components that can take advantage of functionality the older models don’t have, but at least they should upgrade the software components that aren’t directly bound to new hardware.
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