WWDC 2020 Keynote: Here’s What’s Coming

WWDC 2020 Keynote: Here’s What’s Coming
Apple conducted its WWDC 2020 Keynote on 23 June 2020 where it showcased various software verisons and upgrades for its various devices. Out of all the software updates, the most focused upon software was iOS which got its 14th version, that is, iOS 14. Along with that, MacOS 11 Big Sur was also announced. There were also new things announced at the software level.
This year’s WWDC 2020 Keynote was an online event. Various transitions were used as Apple showcased various new features and upgrades in its event.
Let’s have a quick look at all the major announcements in WWDC 2020.

iOS 14 Beta (Developer Version)

Apple’s iOS 14 Developer Beta is here and has many new features up its sleeves. Let’s have a look at all of them to understand what makes this newer version of iOS the best one ever.

App Library

WWDC 2020 Keynote: Here’s What’s Coming

Apple has done some useful changes in Home screen in iOS 14. In this newer version, the apps will be automatically arranged in a folder and give the Home screen a cleaner look. There are some other nifty features that have been introduced in iOS 14:

  • A “Suggested Apps” folder with app suggestions as per the usage.

  • A “Recently Added” folder containing the apps that were recently added.

  • App Folders created automatically, on the basis of app type.

  • Ability to hide home screens as per the convenience.

Along with this, there is also an app drawer that you can access by swiping down while using the app search in the home screen.

  • A “Suggested Apps” folder with app suggestions as per the usage.
  • A “Recently Added” folder containing the apps that were recently added.
  • App Folders created automatically, on the basis of app type.
  • Ability to hide home screens as per the convenience.
Along with this, there is also an app drawer that you can access by swiping down while using the app search in the home screen.

Widgets

WWDC 2020 Keynote: Here’s What’s Coming
Apple has made some useful changes in widgets in iOS 14. The widgets can now be moved to the home screen. Also, the widgets are now available in different sizes and can be changed as per the user’s needs.
Along with this, there’s a new feature called “Smart Stacks” where two widgets of same size can be stacked and can be switched by scrolling. These new and useful features will make widgets more useful than before as the user will not have to scroll away from the home screen to have a glance at them.

Picture-in-Picture Mode

WWDC 2020 Keynote: Here’s What’s Coming
The picture-in picture mode will now be available in iOS 14. Users will be able to view the video outside the app they are using. The video would now be playable as an overlay on any app. Even if the video is taken out of the screen, the audio will not stop and the video will keep on playing.

Updated Siri

WWDC 2020 Keynote: Here’s What’s Coming
Siri now looks like a marble (Kancha)
Siri has gone a minor but pretty useful update in iOS 14. Siri will not cover whole screen for a simple search from now on. Whenever you will ask Siri a question, Siri will pop up at the bottom of the screen and will reply to your query through a notification to create the least disturbance in the work you are doing. Also, incoming call will not cover full screen and there will be a tiny notification at the top for the users to accept or reject the call, similar to Android.

Along with this, there is a “Translate” app that has been introduced. Now, you can translate translate the words you speak into another language within seconds.
Currently, the language supported by “Translate” are English, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Portuguese, Russian.

Messages and Maps

Message app has received a minor but useful new feature in iOS14. Now, you can pin conversations on the top in “Message” app just like WhatsApp.
Newer dresses has been added in emojis along with various age memojis. Also, in “Groups”, you can now mention an individual and the notification for the message will go to that person only.
Maps in iOS 14 now comes with cycling directions.

Carplay

It is a new feature using which users will be able to unlock their car using NFC on their iPhones. The first model to support this feature will be BMW 5 series that will be released in 2021.

App Clips

WWDC 2020 Keynote: Here’s What’s Coming
Users will now be able to use any app quickly by installing a small part of it on-the-go. This will help users in quickly accessing features of an app by using app clips.

Scribble feature in iPadOS 14

This feature is specific to iPadOS 14, users will get to see handwriting recognition feature and whatever user will write on an iPad will be detected by the system and converted into typed text.
iPadOS will get all the features that iOS 14 will be getting along with this Scribble feature which is exclusive to iPadOS only.

Apple Airpods

Airpods will now connect automatically to the Apple device you are using. If a user has connected Airpods to her/his iPhone and switches to a Macbook while working, then, you airpods will connect to the Macbook automatically.

Watch OS

There has been a few additions in WatchOS as mentioned below:
  • More watch faces have been added which can also be shared
  • Cycling directions can now be seen on Apple Watch
  • Detection of the user washing hands and suggesting her/him to continue for 20 seconds.

Mac OS 11 Big Sur

There hasn’t been major changes in Mac OS 11 Big Sur. The changes in Mac OS 11 are mostly in icon designs and designs of various columns and windows.
Along with this, Notification Center and Widgets are now available the newer version of Mac OS.
Also, Safari Browser will now support extensions, just like other browsers.

WWDC 2020 Hardware Related Announcement

In the WWDC 2020 Keynote, Apple also announced that it will now be using their own silicon chips instead of Intel’s, in Macbooks and Macintosh.

Supported Devices

iOS 14 supported devices have been mentioned below:
  • iPod Touch 7th gen
  • iPhone 6s
  • iPhone 6s Plus
  • iPhone SE (2016)
  • iPhone 7
  • iPhone 7 Plus
  • iPhone 8
  • iPhone 8 Plus
  • iPhone X
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
Along with this, there are many iPad versions that will be receiving the latest iPadOS 14 update, they are mentioned below:
  • iPad Air 2
  • iPad Air (3rd gen)
  • iPad Pro mini (4th, 5th gen)
  • iPad (5th, 6th and 7th gen)
  • iPad Pro 9.7 inch
  • iPad Pro 9.7 inch
  • iPad Pro 10.5 inch
  • iPad Pro 11 inch (1st and 2nd gen)
  • iPad Pro 12.9 inch (1st, 2nd and 3rd gen)
Mac OS 11 Big Sur supporting devices are as below:
  • MacBook (2015 and later)
  • MacBook Air (2013 and later)
  • MacBook Pro (2013 and later)
  • Mac mini (2014 and later)
  • iMac (2014 and later)
  • iMac Pro (2017 and later)
  • Mac Pro (2013 and later)

iOS 14 beta and other Downloads 

One way to download iOS 14 beta and other beta versions announced in WWDC 2020 is by going to betaprofiles.com and downloading the profile and installing the update. There are beta updates for other Apple devices as well, you can download all from this site only.
iOS 14 public beta will be available in July and the full fledged version of iOS 14 will be provided in September 2020 or later.

Final Words

So guys, these were all the things that have been announced in WWDC 2020 Apple event. As mentioned above, it will be available public in September 2020, probably with newer iPhones.

Personally, I found the Scribble feature and Smart Stacks to be really useful. To be honest, most of the features are already available in Android but that doesn’t deny the

Which feature did you like the most, be it Mac OS 11, iPad OS or iOS 14? Comment your favourite feature in the comments section below.

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