At its global developer conference, which kicks off on Monday, Apple said it would add more features to iMessage, including the ability to edit or remove messages. The company said that these two options are among the most sought after features by consumers.
Apple is also annoying with several new options to better customize the lock screen and improve the notification experience. Apple iPhone users will be able to add widgets to the lock screen to receive information at a glance, such as upcoming calendar and weather events. IOS users will be able to track “live” activities, such as the progress of travel with Uber or sports game updates. And the software will offer more personalized wallpapers for the lock screen and the ability to shuffle options throughout the day.
Apple’s latest Mac software, called OS Ventura, offers a handful of multitasking features, such as the ability to share Safari tabs with friends and family, transfer FaceTime conversations to other devices, and use the iPhone as a webcam with a new product called the Continuity Camera.
Apple’s updates, which are likely to be released later this year, have expanded to a wider ecosystem of products and services, from payments and passwords to cars.
The latest version of CarPlay will be full of custom gadgets controlled by iPhone and able to work on all screens of the car. Meanwhile, iOS users in the US will be able to distribute payments for 8 weeks on Apple Pay, similar to the “buy now, pay later” service. And a tool called Passkeys is designed to change passwords by using Touch ID or Face ID to authenticate between apps and devices.
Apple also continues to rely on health features. Apple Watch will soon support new customized training features, including heart rate zones and runner stride data. In addition, improved sleep tracking will monitor when the user enters and exits light and deep sleep. A new drug application will allow users to track, manage and understand the drugs people are taking, and will inform users when to take them.
While the event focused on software, Apple made some hardware announcements.
Apple has introduced a thinner, lighter and faster MacBook Air designed around its new internal M2 processor. The 13.6-inch MacBook Air is 25% brighter than before, supports MagSafe charging and has an improved front camera with twice the resolution of the previous model. With an 8-core processor, Apple said the M2 chip promises 18% higher performance than its M1 chip. The processor also comes with a 10-core GPU – twice the size of the M1 – along with 25% better graphics performance. The M2 also comes in a new 13-inch MacBook Pro.
The MacBook Air starts at $ 1,099 and the MacBook Pro starts at $ 1,299.
Some industry observers also hope that Apple (AAPL) can offer an early look at a platform believed to be called RealityOS. The system can power mixed-reality headphones – a wearable device that is said to be capable of both VR and AR – which Apple is rumored to have been working on for years.
The Apple event is broadcast live on its website and the company’s YouTube channel.
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