wwdc2018
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macOS Mojave public beta is available right now
Yesterday Apple made iOS12's beta available to the public, and now it's doing the same for its Mojave update to macOS. Starting today you can download and install a test version of Apple's latest desktop operating system, which features a dark mode option for nighttime computing and revamped App Store. There's also new anti-fingerprinting tools for the Safari browser and tweaks for desktop organization and how Finder looks and feels. We've got a full round-up of additions available in case you've forgotten what was announced at WWDC last month. It's okay, it's been a long month; we won't tell anyone.
iOS 12 public beta is available right now
Did Apple's teases of grouped notifications and digital wellness efforts at WWDC last month make you swoon? Well the beta for iOS 12 -- the software those features and countless others will run on -- is available to the public starting today. The Cupertino company has promised that the software's finished version will significantly speed up older phones in addition to adding fun new features like Memoji for iPhone X owners and FaceTime group chat for up to 32 people.
Apple Watch can now be used to monitor Parkinson’s symptoms
Apple has added a new API to its ResearchKit framework that will allow apps to monitor Watch users for signs of Parkinson's disease, 9to5Mac reports. The API will be able to track two symptoms associated with the movement disorder -- tremors and dyskinesia -- continuously throughout the day. Apps monitoring these two activities would then be able to display the recorded data, showing instances of the symptoms per day, hour or minute.
What you need to know about Apple’s war on ‘digital fingerprinting’
Most everyone is aware of how tracking cookies work (or if you're not, you should be). They're little pieces of data added to your browser that track your behavior on the web. Usually, you notice them when you search for something like basketball and every ad you get for the next few days is about basketball.
Apple's digital wellness features don't go far enough
Apple's digital wellness initiative might be well intended, but it doesn't go far enough to combat screen addiction. Sure, the announcement of grouped notifications to reduce lock-screen clutter (and some anxiety) drew rapturous applause from the developers gathered at WWDC, but Apple could've done so much more, even if it meant looking like it was late to the party.
iOS 12 will support Face ID for two people
Ever since the iPhone X arrived, Face ID has only ever supported one person -- unlike Touch ID, there was no way to register someone else you trust with your device. That won't be a problem with iOS 12. While Apple didn't discuss the feature during its WWDC keynote, iOS 12 lets you add an "alternative appearance" for Face ID. It's ostensibly meant for people who have problems with Face ID (say, people with glasses that significantly alter their look), but it can be used for a second person. A partner or child could have access to your phone without having to type in a passcode.
iOS 12 tests Restricted mode that locks USB access after an hour
In recent beta releases of iOS 11, Apple added a feature that disables device's ability to connect to accessories over USB after the phone has been locked for a period of time. In May, the lockout kicked in after a week, however, Elcomsoft (which makes forensic tools that can unlock and access data from mobile devices) noted just a couple of days ago that the iOS 11.4.1 beta release shortened the time to just one hour, and early testers of the iOS 12 developer beta are seeing the same thing there.
The secret lives of Apple developers
Apple used its strongest Attenborough voice to poke a little fun at its 2018 WWDC attendees on Monday. The keynote's opening video called back to last year's mega-hit BBC documentary series Planet Earth II and provides the viewing public, for perhaps the first time, a look into the migratory and social habits of the elusive Developer tritorapsis. Nature is a cruel and unforgiving mistress, to be sure, but not nearly as cruel as Apple's PR department is in this promotional video.
WWDC 2018: The biggest new features from Apple
Apple may not have talked hardware at all during its WWDC 2018 keynote -- but that didn't stop the presentation from running for well over two hours. All four of Apple's platforms (iOS, watchOS, tvOS and macOS) will receive major updates this fall, and the company spent plenty of time detailing features large and small that'll change how you use your Apple devices. In a presentation that long, it's easy to lose focus on what's significant. Fortunately, we're here for you. Grab a cup of your favorite caffeinated beverage, sit back and read on for the most important announcements Apple made at WWDC 2018.
The original Apple Watch won't get watchOS 5's fancy new features
Heads-up if you own an original Apple Watch: your wristwear is officially obsolete. Apple has confirmed that watchOS 5 will drop support for the first-generation Watch and will require at least a Series 1 timepiece. Like it or not, you'll have to upgrade to new hardware if you want automatic workouts or Walkie Talkie chats. It's a relatively short support lifespan for an Apple device (iOS hardware tends to receive support around for four to five years), but it's not entirely surprising. If anything, Apple is repeating history.
More iOS apps are on the way to help with your health regimen
At the end of March, Apple announced a new feature coming alongside iOS 11.3, Health Records, which gave users access to their medical data and allowed them to share it with a running tally of hospitals and clinics. Today at WWDC, the company released an API for developers and researchers to make their own 'ecosystem of apps' to harness Health Records information, and implied that some would arrive as early as this fall.
Apple will bring iOS apps to the Mac
Apple is bridging iOS and macOS with a new breed of apps that work across both platforms. Sort of. At WWDC, Apple unveiled a suite of new Mac apps including News, Stocks, Home and Voice Memos. Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering, then revealed that they were all built, or rather ported, from their iOS counterparts. It's all part of a new UIkit which Apple has ripped from the iOS side and transplanted next to the macOS AppKit. The macOS and iOS apps are still a little different -- but they share a lot of the same underlying elements, which cover basic features such as copy and paste, window resizing, and drag and drop.
Is Apple merging iOS and macOS?
MacBooks and iPhones. Together. On the same operating system. No.
The new Mac App Store is inspired by iOS
Apple has revealed a redesigned Mac App Store at WWDC 2018, which takes clear design cues from the iOS version of the shop. You'll notice right away that it now looks a lot like the one on your iPhone and iPad, featuring a "Discover" tab that will highlight a wide range of curated content, anything from "best apps" lists to tutorials and behind-the-scenes stories from developers. Ratings and reviews of applications are now front and center, too, while video previews are making its debut on the Mac App Store for the first time -- that's a feature that launched on iOS in 2014.
Apple TV’s zero sign-on ends frustrating pay-TV logins
It was 18 months ago that Apple brought the single sign-on feature to the Apple TV, the idea being you only have to enter your info once, rather than logging into supported apps individually. Today at WWDC, Apple announced a feature that has you doing even less. With "zero sign-on," the apps of pay-TV providers will automatically log you in, as it were, if you happen to be one of their broadband customers, too. Zero sign-on will be switched on later this year with Charter Spectrum (and its Spectrum TV app) as the first supported network, but expect others to follow suit.
macOS Mojave's dark mode makes late-night computing less painful
The leaks were on the ball: macOS Mojave will include a dark mode. While the existing operating system already lets you darken the menu bar and dock, Mojave will extend that to the entire interface, whether it's Finder windows or apps like iTunes. A dynamic desktop can gradually shift your background, too, so you won't have to remember to change the appearance when the sun sets. Apple pitches this feature as helpful for pro media editors looking to minimize distractions, but it's also handy for virtually anyone who uses their Mac late at night.
Apple TV adds Atmos audio as it tries to kill the cable box
When Apple introduced 4K and HDR for its Apple TV box, it automatically upgraded items in owner's libraries to better-looking versions. Now at WWDC the company announced Dolby Atmos audio support (joining Dolby Vision HDR) on the way, and said it will do the same for titles that support the improved audio output. Apple's spokesperson also highlighted the 100+ live TV channels already available on the box, as well as integrations with providers like Canal+ (France) and Salt. (Switzerland) that let it stand-in for a traditional cable box. Now in the US, Apple announced that later this year Charter Spectrum will be available for streaming via Apple TV, complete with Siri integration and control.
macOS Mojave adds dark mode and improved organization options
It wouldn't be WWDC if Apple didn't give an update on the future of macOS, the company's oldest computing platform. Senior VP of software engineering and Unofficial Apple Dad Craig Federighi is on stage walking the crowd through the updates. But first, we had to get through the naming scheme -- Federighi says that they've been on a "mountain bender" for four years now, so this year's update will change things up. It's called macOS Mojave.
‘Hey Siri’ is purely optional in watchOS 5
Why do you need to say Siri when you've already got your Apple Watch hovering right in front of your face? Soon, you won't have to. WatchOS 5 will drop the need for you to vocally summon Siri, instead, as soon as your raise your device up, it'll start listening to your requests, questions and messaging apps. It'll also stop those awkward Siri requests that seem to raise your phone, watch, iPad and HomePod in one single, horrific instant.
Apple Watch will put a Walkie Talkie on your wrist
The latest Apple Watch version includes an optional LTE connection. That lets you make or receive phone calls, use Messages and other network-enabled features when not in WiFi range. Now Apple will let you connect with your friends in yet another way. The company just announced a new app for watchOS 5 called Walkie Talkie. You can now talk Watch to Watch over cellular or WiFi to your buddies.
